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Season preview: Biassou, UNM volleyball looking to take the next step

ken sickenger , albuquerque journal, n.m.
·4 min read

Aug. 14—Kaitlynn Biassou wouldn't mind seeing her name atop one of the University of New Mexico's most significant list of individual volleyball accomplishments.

She'd rather have some new jewelry.

In a perfect world, Biassou could wrap up her decorated Lobos career with both. The super senior outside hitter is ramping up for her fifth and final season at UNM and she has a legitimate shot at breaking the program's career kills record. Biassou sees that pursuit largely as a means to an end.

"This is the most depth we've had since I've been here," Biassou said, "and I'm super excited about our potential. We made it to the (Mountain West) tournament the last two years and lost in the first round both times. This year I want to get back and win the tournament. That's what I'm focused on."

Biassou and the Lobos, who host New Mexico Highlands for a 1 p.m. exhibition match Saturday at the Pit, will enter 2023 as an intriguing work in progress. The Lobos return an accomplished group of attackers led by All-MWC returnee Biassou and seniors Uxue Guerreca and Kali Wolf. Senior setter Melissa Walden, who played in 26 of UNM's 29 matches last season, is another of the team's nine returnees.

But for the Lobos to take the next step and contend for a Mountain West title, they'll need contributions from newcomers. New Mexico lost four key members of last year's 17-12 squad: middle blocker Avital Jaloba, libero Alena Moldan and setter Anilee Sher graduated and middle Lea Zurlinden returned home to play in Switzerland.

"Defensively, we've probably got more questions than answers right now," UNM coach Jon Newman-Gonchar said. "We've got to replace some key people who stopped the ball at the net or kept it from hitting the floor. But we've got some really talented players battling to fill those spots — and we've got firepower."

UNM opens the regular season Aug. 25 at UC Irvine/adidas Invitational. Here are five storylines to watch.

KAITLYNN'S KILLS: The high-flying Biassou enters the season fourth on UNM's career kills list with 1,298. She needs 326 to surpass Chantale Riddle (2011-14) for the top spot — well within reach for Biassou, who posted 431 kills last season.

"I didn't know that," Biassou said when asked about her proximity to Riddle's record. "I think more about what I can bring to the team, but if I can manage to (break the kills record) it means I've made my mark and gave everything I had to get a (championship) ring. That's what I really want."

Newman-Gonchar smiled when asked about Biassou chasing UNM's kills record.

"She would tell you she doesn't know the numbers even if she does," he said. "Kait's our 22-year-old leader and a rock of the program. She's got a chance to go down as one of the best opposite-side hitters in the history of the league."

TALENT TRANSFER: It won't take UNM fans long to notice three experienced additions to this season's roster:

Athina Dimitriadis: A 6-foot-5 native of Greece, Dimitriadis has three seasons at Hofstra and one at Florida International under her belt. The talented middle excelled at FIU last season, leading the Panthers in kills (272) and total blocks (86) and posting a .285 attack percentage.Mattison "Matti" Matthews: A 5-11 middle from Charleston, South Carolina, Matthews played four seasons at Virginia and proved an efficient weapon up front. She posted a freshman school record for attack percentage (.382) and had 53 kills and 32 total blocks in 47 sets with a .281 attack percentage in 16 matches last season.Angela Crosetti: A 5-6 junior libero/defensive specialist from Sherman Oaks, California, Crosetti spent two seasons at St. John's but took a redshirt year in 2022. Prior to that she set a freshman record for digs (430) at Southern New Hampshire University.

EARLY IMPACT? New Mexico also added four freshmen to its roster this season and Newman-Gonchar said all of them are battling for playing time. Madeleine Miller, a 6-1 setter from Shueyville, Iowa, joined the Lobos for spring drills and could fill a key opening at the position. UNM also added Giselle Groe (5-5 libero/DS from Torrance, California), Kynzie Lilly (5-7 libero/DS , Richmond, Texas) and Samarah DaCoud (5-10, OH, Long Beach, California).

PIT STOPS: The Lobos will host Saturday's exhibition match and the Lobo Invitational (Aug. 31-Sept. 2) at the Pit. Their remaining 10 home matches will be at Johnson Center.

HOME COOKING: Sophomore outside hitter Arianna Jamerson, the lone New Mexican on this season's roster, has an opportunity to expand her role, Newman-Gonchar said. Jamerson, a Cleveland High alumnus, appeared in nine matches as a freshman, collecting 12 kills, six digs and 15.0 points.