Welcome to the 2009 season...

This blog will attempt to follow the University of New Mexico volleyball team as they compete in the Mountain West Conference this season. I am an avid Lobo volleyball fan. You can find me on the sidelines at every home game, and I occasionally cover the action for the Daily Lobo, UNM's student-run daily newspaper. So, follow me here on anything and everything Lobo volleyball.

The first and most important question on everyone's mind is whether the 2009 Lobos can equal the success of last year's team. The 2008 squad finished the season 22-7 and in third place in the MWC. Outside hitter Jeanne Fairchild (pictured above, left) was named an All-American, the MWC's Player of the Year, and played professional volleyball in Puerto Rico. In addition, libero Gayle Tripp (pictured below, right) was named the MWC's Libero of the Year and is now playing professionally in Europe. Since both athletes graduated last year, how will the team respond to fill such voids?

If pre-season polls are any indication, UNM looks just fine. The team was picked to finish third in the MWC again this year, and junior setter Jade Michaelsen was named the pre-season MWC Player of the Year. The '09 Lobos also return starters Anna Lehne, Lisa Meeter, Taylor Hadfield, Allison Buck, and Rose Morris.

Come out and watch the 2009 Lobos in their season debut against Delaware on Friday, August 28 at 7:30 p.m. Action continues Saturday, August 29 with a 1 p.m. game versus Portland State and a 7 p.m. game against UC-Santa Barbara.