The University of New Mexico volleyball team lost 3-0 against The University of Nevada, Las Vegas on Thursday, Oct. 6. The game marked the fourth loss in conference play for UNM after losing to Colorado State University on Oct.1 and the University of Wyoming on Sept. 29.
Despite coming close in all three sets, UNLV did not let UNM catch a break by controlling the entire match. The first set came to an end at 25-22, marking the pace for what would be the results for the next two sets. Currently, UNLV has a 13-3 record. UNM has had a total of 11 wins and, against UNLV, they acquired their fifth loss.
“Our team is getting better, and we're gonna go battle good teams … So we're gonna head back to practice on Monday and we're gonna go get better at those things,” head coach Jon Newman-Gonchar said.
Newman-Gonchar said he wants to focus on serving in the upcoming practice as he felt that’s where the Lobos lacked the most against UNLV.
When the game was over, UNLV had taken over first place in all major statistics. Still, UNM outside hitters Kaitlynn Biassou and Uxue Guereca made their presence known in most categories: Guereca led the team in kills with a total of 13 and a .209 hit percentage. Guereca also had the most digs by UNM with a total of 15.
“I think it was really nice to see that Uxue continues to get better and better … She's serving tough, and I just think we're better when we're all playing our best,” Newman-Gonchar said.
Biassou followed Guereca in kills, having a total of nine with a .077 hit percentage. Biassou also had a total of three blocks, following middle blocker Avital Jaloba, who had four.
UNLV demonstrated to be a challenging opponent — and with good reason. UNLV outside hitter Gabrielle Arretche-Ramos dominated most of the game with a total of 22 kills and a .231 hit percentage. She also led both teams in attacks with 52.
“The reality is we battled a good team. We came up a little bit short, and we can’t hang our heads,” Newman-Gonchar said.
While it was a rough night for the UNM volleyball team, Newman-Gonchar appreciates all the support and love from the fans and the families at the game who make it all better for the team.
“We're not looking back. Now that we got six weeks remaining (in) the regular season, our goal is … postseason play,” Newman-Gonchar said.
UNM’s next volleyball game is against San José State University in San Jose, California on Oct. 13 at 7 p.m.
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Annya Loya is the news editor at the Daily Lobo. She can be contacted at news@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @annyaloya
