Beginning tonight, the UNM Women’s Volleyball team returns to the friendly confines of home…well, almost. They will be playing at “The Pit” (Wise Pies Arena) for the Days Inn & Suites Lobo Invitational and will be hosting Cal State Northridge, LIU Brooklyn, and LSU. The Lobo volleyball team currently owns a 5-4 record but have played an incredibly challenging non-conference schedule. Last weekend, that challenge included a hard fought three set loss to the nation’s third-ranked Southern California Women of Troy (USC). While UNM will bring the best record of all four teams into the tournament this weekend, the three other schools that they are hosting have also all played more than one ranked opponent, so this weekend of volleyball should be highly competitive as all four teams want to improve on the results that they have had thus far.

Cal State Northridge’s record currently stands at 1-8, but they lost all but one starter from last year’s 19-9 record that produced an NCAA berth. Northridge has already faced four opponents currently ranked in the top 25, so they will present UNM with their first test of the tournament. LIU Brooklyn has yet to win a match in the early part of this season, but they have first three opponents that are currently ranked in the top 20, so UNM will have their hands full when both teams engage in battle on Saturday afternoon.  Finally, LSU plays in one of the top volleyball conferences in the nation (SEC) and although they only have one match win thus far, they have also played two ranked opponents including third-ranked Texas. Almost all of LSU’s losses have been incredibly close, so UNM will not be able to take anything for granted against them or any other team participating in the tournament this weekend.

UNM will look to continue to build upon their most recent win against Idaho State last weekend in Los Angeles. In order for this to happen, the Lobos will need more offensive production from their outside and right side hitters, namely Julia Warren and Cassie House.  Both Warren and House are incredibly physical and capable hitters but need to produce more consistently than they have been to provide more offensive help to their other big hitter, Devanne Sours. UNM’s offense is anchored by setter Hannah Johnson and she and the middle blockers for UNM, Simone Henderson & Skye Gullatt, have been connecting well and often. This tournament will be extremely important for UNM as they continue to make progress to their goal of securing an NCAA tournament berth.  As always, the Lobo women’s volleyball team loves the energy that all Lobo fans bring to their matches and would love for as many as possible to attend the matches this weekend.  The schedule for the tournament is below.  All matches will take place at The Pit.  GO LOBOS!

Friday, September 18th @ 5 PM:  LSU vs. LIU Brooklyn

Friday, September 18th @ 7:30 PM:  UNM vs. Cal State Northridge

Saturday, September 19th @ 10:30 AM:  Cal State Northridge vs. LSU

Saturday, September 19th @ 1 PM:  UNM vs. LIU Brooklyn

Saturday, September 19th @ 5 PM:  LIU Brooklyn vs. Cal State Northridge

Saturday, September 19th @ 7:30 PM:  UNM vs. LSU