Broncos Host New Mexico for Two

NEW MEXICO (3-5) at BOISE STATE (6-2)
Boise, Idaho (Bronco Gym)

MATCH 9 vs. New Mexico
DATE: Friday, March 5
TIME: 3 p.m. MT
FOLLOW THE ACTION: Live Stream (MW Network) | Live Scoring

MATCH 10 vs. New Mexico
DATE: Saturday, March 6
TIME: 1 p.m. MT
FOLLOW THE ACTION: Live Stream (MW Network) | Live Scoring

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WHAT'S NEXT: Boise State (6-2) returns home this weekend for the third home series of the season when it hosts the New Mexico Lobos (3-5) Friday and Saturday. The first contest will be at 3 p.m. (MT) on Friday followed by the rematch at 1 p.m. on Saturday, both matches will be in Bronco Gym.

FOLLOW THE ACTION: COVID-19 safety measures are in place at Boise State which means only a limited number of family members will be allowed to attend this week's matches against New Mexico. The best way to follow this week's action is by going to the volleyball schedule on BroncoSports.com and clicking on the appropriate "Live Scoring" and/or "Live Stream" links for the particular match you want to follow. The live stream is free of charge courtesy of the Mountain West Network.

SCOUTING NEW MEXICO: The Lobos are 3-5 overall and are coming off a road split last weekend at Air Force. In fact, they have yet to host a home match because of COVID-19 protocols in the state of New Mexico. They return one starter plus the libero and three letterwinners from 2019, they did add 11 newcomers. New Mexico went 11-19 overall and 6-12 in MW play to place eighth in 2020.

They are led by Kaitlynn Biassou who is averaging 3.23 kills per set, eighth in the MW. As a team, New Mexico is averaging 10.20 kills per set, 9.67 assists, 1.5 services aces, 13.47 digs and 1.97 blocks.

SCOUTING BOISE STATE: Boise State enters the week at 6-2 overall and 4-0 at home. The Broncos are looking to rebound from a pair of losses at UNLV last week. Boise State went 18-12 overall in 2019 and 10-8 in conference to place fourth, it also advanced to the NIVC. The Blue and Orange return five starters and the libero, as well as 11 members of the 2019 squad. In addition to the 11 returners, Boise State added four recruits to this year's team.

Boise State is led by Preseason All-MW honoree Lauren Ohlinger who is averaging 4.4 kills per set (MW 1st / NCAA 28th), attacks per set at 12.4 (NCAA 15th) and points per set at 4.82 (NCAA 41st). As a team, Boise State leads the MW and is ranked fifth nationally for blocks per set (3.02), is second in MW for hitting percentage (.232), sixth for opponents' hitting percentage (.204), second for kills per set (13.23), second for assists per set (12.00) and fourth for digs (14.93 dps).

MW PRESEASON POLL: The Mountain West Preseason Coaches Poll projected Boise State to place fourth and New Mexico 10th.

THE BOISE STATE Vs. NEW MEXICO SERIES: This rivalry enters its 17th and 18th meetings all-time with UNM leading 9-7 to date. The Broncos lead the series in matches played at Boise by a 5-4 margin; however, Boise State swept the Lobos last year.

SHAWN GARUS RECORDS 200TH WIN: Boise State head coach Shawn Garus recorded his 200th win at Boise State when the Broncos swept Utah State (Feb. 12-13) to reach the milestone with the second victory. Garus, who is in his 12th season with the program, currently stands at 202-146, his career record stands at 310-265 in 20 years. Garus ranks second in total wins in program history, out of 10 coaches all-time. At Boise State, he has recorded nine winning seasons overall, including an active streak of six straight. He has three seasons (2010, 2015, 2016) with 20-plus wins.

WEEK FOUR RECAP: Boise State dropped two on the road at UNLV last week by 3-2 and 3-1 scores to fall to 6-2 overall. The Broncos struggled early in both contests and played catch up most the way in both matches. Down two sets in the first meeting, Boise State rallied to take sets three and four before falling in the fifth 15-13. Boise State hit .192 percent with 97 kills, three service aces and 23.5 blocks on the week, while UNLV countered at .287 percent hitting with 131 kills, 19 service aces and 14 blocks.

WEEK FOUR LEADERS: Lauren Ohlinger was the only Bronco to reach double-digit kills in both matches tallying 27 on the weekend. Jessica Donahue hit a team-best 31.4 percent for 17 kills to go with 11 blocks, while Shae Duffy had 13 kills and 11 blocks followed by Kayly Pau with 13 kills and Alyssa Wissinger with 11 kills and 11 blocks.

BRONCO SEASON LEADERS: Lauren Ohlinger is a six-rotation player and leads the team overall with 132 kills (4.4 kps), 72 digs (2.4 dps) and 19 blocks (0.63 bps). Freshman Kayly Pau is second in kills with 74 (2.47 kps) to go with 16 blocks (0.53). Jessica Donahue is hitting .348 — eighth in MW — for 68 kills (2.27 kps) with 50 blocks, she leads the MW and ranks ninth nationally for blocks per set at 1.67 bps.

BOSS RANKED SIXTH FOR ASSISTS: Danielle Boss entered the season ranked eighth during the rally scoring era (2001 to present) at Boise State for career assists with 1,767, she had 1,113 as a sophomore in 2019. She has now moved into sixth with 1,922 overall, 12 short of moving into fifth.

BOSS DISTRIBUTING THE BALL: Danielle Boss enters the week ranked second in the Mountain West for assists per set 9.73, her total of 292 is second as well, by one assist.

DONAHUE RANKED NINTH NATIONALLY: Jessica Donahue is currently ranked ninth nationally and first in the MW for blocks per set at 1.67, her current total is a MW-high 50, next closest is 38.

DONAHUE ANCHORS THE BLUE WALL: Jessica Donahue started the season ranked fourth during the rally scoring era (2001 to present) at Boise State for career blocks with 298. She now sits at 348 overall heading into the UNM series, 21 short of third. The junior tallied 163 in 2019, third most all-time and six short of tying the school record for a season. The 163 blocks also led the MW and was ranked 11th nationally.

NEW MEXICO (3-5) at BOISE STATE (6-2)
Boise, Idaho (Bronco Gym)

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Players Mentioned

Danielle Boss

Jessica Donahue

Shae Duffy

Lauren Ohlinger

Kayly Pau

Alyssa Wissinger