The New Mexico Lobos continued their dominance at home, blanking UTSA 7-0 for their fifth straight victory and third since entering the national rankings. UNM now sets its sights on conference play, opening against Nevada on Thursday at 1 p.m.
The Lobos wasted no time establishing control, once again executing their reliable formula—securing the doubles point before riding that momentum into singles play. Aram Noroozian and Avery Tallakson extended their impressive win streaks to eight matches.
In doubles, Noroozian and Georgio Samaha cruised to a 6-3 win over Miguel Alonso and Tiago Torres, while Aditya Balsekar and Tallakson dominated Luke Cantu and Enzo Vargas 6-2.
The Lobos carried that energy into singles action. Samaha rolled past Oskar Grzegorzewski 6-0, 6-2, while Dario Ciobotaru took care of Vargas 6-3, 6-2. Noroozian sealed the match with a decisive win over No. 96 Torres, and both Balsekar and Tallakson delivered straight-set victories. Daniil Kakhiuk capped the dominant performance with a hard-fought 6-4, 6-7 (10-12), 1-0 (10-7) win.
NOTES: Noroozian and Tallakson have now won eight consecutive matches, while Kakhniuk extended his streak to six. The No. 67-ranked duo of Noroozian and Samaha have won five straight, improving to 17-5 on the season. UNM boasts 99 singles wins this year.
Lobos Stay Hot Against NAU
The New Mexico Lobos are on fire, torching Northern Arizona with a dominant 6-1 victory and proving once again why they deserve national recognition. With this fourth straight win, UNM improves to 8-5 on the season, while NAU—Big Sky’s top team—drops to 11-7, snapping their five-match winning streak in the process.
The Lobos wasted no time setting the tone, securing the doubles point in a swift 2-0 sweep. The No. 67-ranked duo of Aram Noroozian and Georgio Samaha clinched the decisive match with a 6-3 win at No. 1 doubles, complementing a 6-2 victory by Daniil Kakhniuk and Nicolas Recoura at No. 2.
From there, it was all Lobos. UNM claimed five of six opening sets, dictating the tempo and leaving NAU scrambling. Noroozian, closing in on a national singles ranking, cruised past Dani Torres 6-3, 6-1 at No. 1 to put UNM up 2-0. Kakhniuk (6-2, 6-0 at No. 5) and Samaha (6-2, 6-2 at No. 4) quickly followed suit, sealing the victory before NAU could respond.
Even after clinching, the Lobos didn’t let up. Avery Tallakson extended his personal win streak to seven with a hard-fought 6-3, 7-5 win at No. 6, while Aditya Balsekar added another dominant performance at No. 2, rolling 6-2, 6-0. NAU salvaged a lone point at No. 3 singles, but the damage was already done.
UNM looks to keep the momentum going as they stay home to face UTSA on Sunday at 11 a.m. at McKinnon Family Tennis Stadium.
Men’s Tennis Lands Big Transfer with Jan Skerbatis
Lobo Nation is getting a major boost for the 2025-26 season! Head coach Rob Bareford has announced the addition of Jan Skerbatis, a standout from Valdosta State, who will transfer to New Mexico next year.
The Koenigsbrunn, Germany native has been a force in Division II tennis, boasting a 9-3 singles record and an 8-6 doubles mark this season. In 2023-24, he helped Valdosta State capture the Division II National Championship, finishing with a stellar 24-3 doubles record and reaching as high as No. 21 in the national doubles rankings.
Skerbatis previously played at Northwest Missouri State, where he was named the 2023 MIAA Freshman of the Year and secured a top-10 national doubles ranking. With his experience and winning pedigree, he’s expected to make an immediate impact for the Lobos.
UNLV Shuts Out Lobo Women 4-0
The Lobos fought hard but came up short in Las Vegas, falling 4-0 to UNLV in Mountain West action. Despite a competitive doubles effort, the Rebels edged out key wins to take the opening point and carried that momentum into singles play.
Rebekkah Gaines and Maria Sodre impressed with a 6-2 win at No. 1 doubles, but UNM couldn’t capitalize on tight battles at No. 2 and No. 3. UNLV’s Cindy Hu and Coco Zhao clinched the doubles point with a 7-5 win, setting the stage for a dominant singles performance.
The Rebels swept through three straight-set victories at No. 2, 3, and 4 singles, sealing the win before the Lobos could mount a comeback. UNM now looks to bounce back at home next weekend against Fresno State and San Jose State.
Lobos Rally for Thrilling 4-2 Comeback Against Utah State
Heart rates were soaring, but the Lobos kept their cool in a dramatic 4-2 comeback win over Utah State. Down 2-0, New Mexico stormed back with four consecutive singles victories, capped by an electrifying third-set comeback from Marika Matsoukatidi.
The Aggies struck first by sweeping doubles and grabbing an early 2-0 lead with a win at No. 3 singles. But that’s where their luck ran out. UNM responded with wins from Sofia Taborga (6-3, 6-2 at No. 6) and Maria Sodre (7-5, 6-2 at No. 5), snapping Sodre’s five-match skid and tying the match at 2-2.
Sarah O’Connor delivered another clutch performance, taking down Olivia Halvorsen at No. 2 singles to push UNM ahead 3-2. That left it all on Matsoukatidi, who was down 4-1 in the third set before engineering a furious rally. She broke serve twice and held firm under pressure, sealing the match with a 7-5 final set to give the Lobos the win.
Lobo Soccer Bolsters Roster with Five Key Additions for 2025
The Lobos have strengthened their squad with five key offseason signings, reinforcing the goalkeeper position with Alyson Campbell, Jasmin Gonzalez-Rutt, Musuai Isaia, and Avah Snodgrass, while adding center-back Zemira Webb to solidify the defense.
Alyson Campbell (GK | Boulder, CO) A transfer from LSU, Campbell brings leadership and academic excellence to UNM. She was an All-SEC Academic Team member and a SAAC representative.
Jasmin Gonzalez-Rutt (GK | Santa Fe, NM) A local standout, Gonzalez-Rutt was a First Team All-State selection and named 5A District Player of the Year as a junior.
Musuai Isaia (GK | Oahu, HI) Isaia transfers from Washington State, where she recorded a shutout in her lone 2023 appearance. At Peninsula College, she amassed 68 saves and 11 shutouts in two seasons.
Avah Snodgrass (GK | Tacoma, WA) Snodgrass, an incoming freshman, was twice named Nisqually Goalkeeper of the Year and recorded nine shutouts in her high school career.
Zemira Webb (D | Warwick, Bermuda) A transfer from Southern University and captain of Bermuda’s U20 National Team, Webb appeared in 59 matches over three seasons and helped lead Southern to an SWAC title and NCAA Tournament berth in 2024.
Lobo Baseball Edges Grand Canyon in High-Scoring Showdown, 12-10
Four home runs and two explosive five-run innings lifted New Mexico to a thrilling 12-10 win over Grand Canyon at Santa Ana Star Field, marking the Lobos’ first victory over GCU in five years.
Akili Carris delivered a breakout performance, driving in a career-high five runs, including a three-run homer in the seventh. Jordy Oriach also shined, going 3-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs. Josh McAlister and Andrew Neil each added solo shots, giving UNM its third four-homer game of the season.
On the mound, Tommy White picked up the win, and Ty Cunningham secured his fifth save, preserving UNM’s seventh consecutive home victory.
ON DECK: The Lobos return to Mountain West action this weekend with a three-game series against Air Force (March 28-30). Follow @UNMLoboBaseball for updates.
Lobos Drop Series Finale in Late-Inning Heartbreaker
Despite holding a late lead, New Mexico fell 7-5 to Nevada in Sunday’s series finale. A solo homer from Josh McAlister put the Lobos ahead 5-4 in the eighth, but the Wolf Pack responded with a decisive three-run inning to take the win.
The Lobos tallied 12 hits, with McAlister and Will Asby each going deep. Jordy Oriach added a two-run double, while Brodey Williams contributed two doubles of his own.
Reliever Diego Alvarez took the loss after surrendering Nevada’s go-ahead runs in the eighth.
Wolf Pack Runs Wild in Run-Rule Win Over Lobos
Nevada’s offense exploded as they handed New Mexico a 20-4 loss in seven innings on Saturday, snapping the Lobos’ four-game win streak.
UNM struggled to contain Nevada’s early onslaught, as the Wolf Pack racked up 10 runs in the first three innings. The Lobos responded with home runs from Ethan Ott and Caleb Herd, but Nevada’s two five-run innings proved too much to overcome.
Starter Ryan Castillo took the loss, dropping to 3-2 on the year, as UNM cycled through multiple pitchers in an attempt to slow the Wolf Pack.
Lobos Win 12-Inning Thriller to Stay Perfect in MW Play
New Mexico outlasted Nevada 6-4 in a marathon 12-inning battle on Friday night, extending its Mountain West unbeaten streak to four games.
LHP Daxton Purser delivered a dominant six-inning start, striking out a career-high 11 batters while allowing just two hits. Andrew Neil led the offense with a three-hit night, including a clutch home run and three RBIs.
The Lobos surrendered a four-run lead in the eighth but regained control in extra innings with two decisive runs in the 12th to seal the win.
Guest Dominates as Lobos Shut Out Tritons
McKenna Guest delivered a stellar performance in the circle, throwing her seventh complete game and fourth shutout of the season as the New Mexico Lobos blanked UC San Diego 5-0 on Tuesday. The Lobos capitalized on a strong offensive effort, scoring one run in the second and four in the fifth to seal the win.
UNM racked up eight hits, with DeNae Vasquez-Dickson and Sydney Carithers each going 2-for-3. Five different players contributed an RBI, highlighting the team’s balanced attack. Guest was dominant, striking out four, walking none, and allowing just four hits while retiring the side in order four times. Carithers was particularly impressive at the plate, smashing two doubles to bring her season total to four.
The Lobos struck first in the third when Carithers doubled to right-center, advanced to third on a flyout, and was driven in by Emma Bramson’s single up the middle. Guest continued to keep the Tritons in check, retiring the first eight batters before UCSD managed a baserunner on a bunt single. The Tritons attempted to manufacture a run with stolen bases, but a groundout ended the threat.
In the fifth, the Lobos exploded for four runs on four hits. Hayden Luderer was hit by a pitch to lead off, followed by an infield single from Ashley Archuleta. Vasquez-Dickson then delivered an RBI single, and after a bases-loaded situation, Allie Williams plated another run on a blooper to center. Jessica DeLeon followed with an RBI single, and Carithers capped off the inning with her second double of the game to drive in another run.
Guest remained locked in, escaping a sixth-inning jam with two runners in scoring position and retiring the final three batters in the seventh to secure the shutout. The Lobos return to action on April 2 when they resume conference play against Utah State.
Lobos Fall to Aztecs in Series Finale
Despite an early home run from Sydney Carithers, the Lobos couldn’t keep pace with San Diego State, dropping the series finale 7-1 on Sunday. The Aztecs answered Carithers’ second-inning blast with a three-run inning and never looked back, scoring seven unanswered runs.
UNM had chances, getting leadoff batters on base in three different innings. Ashley Archuleta walked to start the game, Emma Bramson singled in the third, and Allie Williams led off the seventh with a single, but the Lobos struggled to string together hits to close the gap.
After Carithers’ solo homer to left put UNM up 1-0, SDSU responded immediately with a solo shot of their own before adding two more runs on five hits. The Aztecs extended their lead with another run in the fourth and three more in the fifth, sealing the win.
In the circle, Natalie Fritz got the start, allowing three runs on five hits in 1.2 innings. McKenna Guest came on in relief, pitching 4.1 innings while striking out two and giving up four runs (one earned) on three hits and three walks.
Lobos Drop Game Two Against SDSU
New Mexico briefly held a 2-1 lead on Saturday, but San Diego State took control late, scoring five unanswered runs to win 6-2.
The Lobos took the lead in the third when Hayden Luderer singled to right, followed by an Archuleta bunt single. A sacrifice fly from Miracle McKenzie and an RBI single from Jessica DeLeon put UNM ahead 2-1. The Lobos had a chance to extend their lead after loading the bases, but a flyout ended the threat.
SDSU tied it in the bottom of the third and took the lead in the fourth with a small-ball approach, capitalizing on an infield single, a stolen base, and two bunts. A three-run home run in the fifth sealed the deal for the Aztecs.
Archuleta led the Lobos with two hits, while McKenzie and DeLeon provided the RBIs. McKenna Guest pitched the first three innings, striking out four and allowing two runs. Caprice Barela and Lexi Atcitty combined for the final three innings, with Atcitty allowing no runs and just one hit in her 1.2 innings of work.
Lobos Edged in Pitching Duel
The Lobos had the tying run on third in the seventh inning but couldn’t push it across, falling 1-0 to San Diego State in the series opener Friday night.
UNM had multiple chances, loading the bases in the fifth and seventh innings, but timely defense from the Aztecs shut down both rallies. The only run of the game came in the fifth, when SDSU executed a double steal to put runners in scoring position before a single up the middle brought home the decisive run.
Archuleta led the offense with two hits, while Natalie Fritz threw her third complete game of the season, allowing just one run on six hits with two strikeouts.
Lobo Golf Climbs to Fifth at Hootie at Bulls Bay
New Mexico men’s golf made a big move on the final day of the Hootie at Bulls Bay, firing a 17-under round to climb from ninth to a tie for fifth at 21-under overall.
Purdue and South Carolina shared the team title at 30-under, while Furman (27-under) and Charleston (26-under) rounded out the top four. The Lobos and Missouri tied for fifth.
Carson Herron led the way with a final-round 67, securing his second top-10 finish of the season at 8-under. Alvaro Portillo turned in the best round of the day for UNM, a bogey-free 7-under 65, tying his career-low collegiate round. Mesa Falleur shot a 70 to finish at 5-under, while Wyatt Provence carded a 69 to finish at 2-over. Oliver Cage wrapped up with a 73 to finish at 5-over. Clark Sonnenberg, competing as an individual, shot a season-best 5-under 67 to finish at even par.
“I’m really proud of how the team performed today,” said head coach Jake Harrington. “We focused on the process of hitting great shots rather than the results, and that mindset paid off.”
The Lobos will close out their regular season at the ASU Thunderbird Intercollegiate on April 11-12 in Phoenix.
