Sept. 29, 2006
ALBUQEURQUE, N.M. - After not being swept over the first 14 matches of the 2006 season, San Diego State lost in three games for the second straight outing as it fell to New Mexico (35-33, 30-25, 30-25) in Albuquerque Friday evening.
The loss was the fourth in a row for the Aztecs, who saw their record drop to 6-10 overall and 0-4 in Mountain West Conference play. The Lobos, meanwhile, improved to 6-9 as they evened their league mark at 2-2.
SDSU outside hitter Melanie Greene had 16 kills as she led her side in that category for the 10th time in 16 matches this year. She also had five digs and a block in the losing cause.
Freshman Stephanie Darnall recorded her team-leading seventh double-double of the season as she notched 12 kills and 15 digs along with three blocks.
Junior middle blocker Kelley Wahlin contributed nine block assists over the three games as she set a new personal career-high.
Three players finished in double figures in kills for New Mexico: Rose Morris (14), Jeanne Fairchild (12) and Kelly Therkelsen (10).
In the opening game, the Aztecs found themselves down 28-22 before mounting a furious rally and eventually tying the score at 29-29. The Lobos had four match-point opportunities before finally nailing down the 35-33 victory on a kill by Morris. Green and Darnall had six kills apiece for SDSU as each side had 17 in the game.
In game two, San Diego State forged a 17-10 lead only to see UNM come back with seven straight points to knot the score. The home side took the lead for good at 19-18 on an Aztec attack error and went on to the five-point win.
The third game saw New Mexico take a 2-1 lead and never trail after that as they held off SDSU en route to completing the three-game sweep. Fairchild had six kills to lead the Lobos while Greene had five for the Aztecs.
Up next for San Diego State is a quick trip to Fort Worth, Texas, where it will on TCU at 7:00 p.m. (CDT) Saturday night Sept. 30).