Wounded UNM volleyball team set to face 'avalanche'

Would you prefer the good news first, or the not-so-good news?

That's the kind of roller-coaster start it's been for the UNM volleyball team in 2025. The Lobos have put up great numbers over the season's first two weeks while dealing with a growing injury list.

The upside is certainly bright. The Lobos are 6-0 with contributions coming from up and down the roster. It's the best start since 2021 for UNM, which opens a grueling seven-day stretch Thursday in California.

First, New Mexico will spend three days competing in The Joust, the Lobos' final pre-conference tournament of the season. UNM will take on Portland State (1-5), Cal State Fullerton (4-2) and host Cal Baptist (2-4), respectively, Thursday through Saturday in Riverside, California.

Three days later, the Lobos play back-to-back matches against New Mexico State — Tuesday in Albuquerque and Wednesday in Las Cruces — to conclude their non-Mountain West schedule.

"It's kind of an avalanche of volleyball, five matches in seven days," UNM coach Jon Newman-Gonchar said. "But that's what it's like at the end of the season if you qualify for the Mountain West tournament and advance. This part of the season is all about preparation and getting better, so we need to make the most of it."

Unfortunately for the Lobos, some of their preparation is not following Newman-Gonchar's preferred script. Injuries have hit UNM's lineup hard — the latest a season-ending knee injury to starting outside hitter Naomi Chankoumi suffered during last week's tournament at Tarleton State.

Chankoumi, a 5-11 senior, will require surgery to repair a ruptured patella tendon, Newman-Gonchar said. She is eligible for a medical redshirt season and could return in 2026.

UNM's front line was already thin as senior outside hitter Lauryn Payne and junior middle Liepa Lavickyte have been out with leg injuries. On an encouraging note, both returned to practice on a limited basis this week and Newman-Gonchar is hoping they'll be ready when the Lobos begin MWC play against Utah State on Sept. 25.

"We're definitely missing some big pieces," Newman-Gonchar said, "and it's so tough losing a leader like Naomi, who was off to a really good start. Our depth is being tested right now, but other players are rising to the occasion and the team has done a great job pushing through."

Two players seeing increased roles are redshirt freshman middle Zoe Leonard and sophomore outside hitter Seenane Brewer, who got her first two starts of the season after Chankoumi's injury. The 6-foot-2 Leonard has split rotations with newcomer Solia Angilau in the middle and has posted impressive numbers (38 kills, .326 attack percentage, 6 aces and 13 total blocks).

"Zoe's been great and Seenane really battled last week," Newman-Gonchar said. "Of course you never want injuries, but they do create opportunities for other players to show themselves. Internal competition is healthy and hopefully this will ramp ours up and make us that much better when (Payne and Lavickyte) get back."

MWC HONORS: UNM picked up two of the Mountain West's weekly honors after finishing 3-0 at the Tarleton State Invitational. Junior setter Madeleine Miller was named MWC Offensive Player of the Week, while outside hitter Addison France was picked as Freshman of the Week.

Miller averaged 9.67 assists per set over the weekend and was deadly from the service line where she racked up 15 aces. Overall, she ranks first in the MWC and 21st nationally in aces per set (0.87). France, a 6-3 left-hander, led UNM with 40 kills and hit .351 for the tournament.