It was a full slate of action for University of New Mexico athletics this week, as teams across the board battled through conference matchups, rivalry showdowns, and season-opening events. From the volleyball court to the pitch, pool, and fairway, the Lobos produced standout individual performances and encouraging team efforts that underscored the program’s growing depth and competitiveness.
Volleyball Battles but Drops Two on the Road
The New Mexico volleyball team faced a tough pair of Mountain West road tests, falling in four sets to San Diego State before being swept at Grand Canyon.
At San Diego State, the Lobos (8–9, 0–6 MW) rebounded from a rough opening frame to push the undefeated Aztecs to the brink, ultimately falling 10–25, 25–20, 23–25, 22–25. Lauryn Payne led the way with a season-high 16 kills and added 11 digs for her second career double-double. Freshman Addison France also tallied a double-double with 11 kills and 10 assists, while Seenane Brewer came alive late, recording six of her seven kills in the final two sets.
The Lobos also showed improvement from the service line, with Brewer and Payne combining for five aces, and Camila Canedo continued her defensive excellence with a team-high 23 digs—her sixth 20-plus-dig performance of the year. At the net, Reagan Miller recorded a career-best eight blocks, while France added five block assists.
Two days later, UNM’s balanced attack wasn’t enough to overcome Grand Canyon, as the Lobos fell 22–25, 22–25, 17–25. Payne and Gioia Riccato led the offense with six kills each, and Canedo anchored the back row again with 17 digs and two aces. Despite the loss, the Lobos’ nine total blocks and six aces reflected a team that continues to grind defensively while searching for consistency on offense.
UNM returns to action Thursday at UNLV before hosting Grand Canyon in a rematch Saturday at the Johnson Center.
Women’s Soccer Stays Hot Behind Anderson’s Brace
On the pitch, Nicole Anderson continued her dominance against Nevada, scoring twice in less than a minute to propel New Mexico to a 3–1 road victory. The senior forward’s back-to-back goals erased an early Wolf Pack lead and gave the Lobos control heading into halftime.
Freshman Claire Roybal added her first career goal in the 72nd minute, sealing the win as the Lobos improved to 7–2–4 overall and 3–0–2 in Mountain West play. Anderson’s brace marked the second straight game she’s scored twice against Nevada and gave her three career game-winning goals—all against the Wolf Pack.
Goalkeeper Alyson Campbell was stellar in net, making a season-high eight saves, while the Lobo defense limited Nevada to just three second-half shots on goal. The Lobos now stand undefeated through their first five conference matches for the first time since 2021 and return home for a key three-match homestand against Utah State, Boise State, and Wyoming.
Football Hangs Tough Before Late Boise State Surge
In Boise, the Lobo football team stood toe-to-toe with the Broncos for three quarters before a fourth-quarter surge handed New Mexico a 41–25 defeat in front of a sellout crowd at Albertsons Stadium.
UNM (3–3, 0–2 MW) was within three points heading into the final quarter but couldn’t contain Boise State’s 21 unanswered points down the stretch. The Lobos’ highlight came early in the second quarter when Damon Bankston returned a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown — tying a school record and marking UNM’s first kickoff return score since 2022.
Quarterbacks Jack Layne and James Laubstein each threw touchdown passes, with Laubstein connecting late with Keagan Johnson for his first career score. Dorian Thomas added a touchdown grab for the second straight game, while Jaxton Eck led the defense with a career-high 18 tackles.
Despite the loss, UNM’s special teams and defensive front showed promise, with Keyshawn James-Newby recording two sacks. The Lobos will look to bounce back Saturday in their Mountain West home opener against Nevada at University Stadium.
Tennis Looks for More Success at ITA Regionals
Following a strong showing at the Mountain West Qualifiers, the Lobo men’s tennis team heads to Las Vegas this week for the ITA Regionals, aiming to build on its momentum. UNM enters with a deep field — four players in the main draw and four more in qualifying rounds, plus four doubles teams.
Top performers like Dario Ciobotaru (No. 9 seed) and Jakub Prachar (No. 2 seed in qualifying) headline the effort, while Maria Caparros Levin and Ava Cepeda continue to represent the women’s side with confidence after recent individual wins.
Women’s Golf Tops Rival Aggies at NB3 Matchplay
At Twin Warriors, the UNM women’s golf team closed out the NB3 Matchplay event in style, defeating rival New Mexico State 3–2 to secure third place overall. Freshman Ava Cepeda earned her second win of the week with a 3&2 victory, while Maria Caparros Levin mounted a thrilling comeback, erasing a three-hole deficit with six birdies on the back nine to claim a 1-up win.
Head coach Jill Trujillo praised her team’s tenacity, noting that match play brought out their competitive edge. “It’s always fun to play New Mexico State,” she said. “It’s a rivalry, but it’s a golf rivalry. You want to win for your team, not just yourself.”
The Lobos wrap up their fall season Oct. 19–20 at the Jim West Challenge in San Marcos, Texas.
Strong Start for Lobo Swimming and Diving
The UNM swimming and diving team opened its season with promise, highlighted by Alice English’s victory in the 3-meter dive at a double dual meet against New Mexico State and Utah Tech. English scored 255.98 to edge teammate Esme Abbadi-Macintosh (235.95) in a dominant 1–2 finish for the Lobos.
Freshmen Mollie Gorman and Liv Hann impressed in their collegiate debuts, posting top-five finishes in the 200-yard breaststroke and 50 free, respectively. Emily Ford, Kaylah Yazzie, and Erin Quirsfeld also turned in strong showings in their events.
UNM returned to the pool for a relay meet, where Hann, Ava Schlosser, and Tuana Uyar led the way in the 300 backstroke relay. The Lobos will next compete at the Phil Hansel Invitational in Houston on November 19.