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A few months ago, University of New Mexico coach Jeff Nelson dangled the goal of postseason play in front of his volleyball team, like a carrot on a stick.

It wasn't a goal exactly unreachable, but a lot of things needed to come together for these Lobos that Nelson couldn't guarantee would mesh. Things like chemistry, teamwork, good setting, good serving, mean defense, killer kills.

You know, the stuff that makes a team relentless, tough and high energy.

Which is what Nelson said he read about his Lobos on a Brigham Young Web site after UNM's 22-30, 30-26, 30-24, 30-25 win at Provo, Utah, on Saturday.

"When we started this year, if somebody would have said we would be described that way, that would be more than we could hope for," Nelson said. "And it happened against probably the best team or the second best team in the conference.

"And that's how I would have described (us)."

The relentless, tough, high energy Lobos also got that win on the road. It was the first time in 12 years UNM has won at Provo.

It's the type of breakthrough win that could push the Lobos into believing they really do have the stuff to grab the carrot and make the NCAA playoffs.

And maybe what led these Lobos to that improbable win over then-No. 23 ranked BYU was playing badly the night before in Salt Lake City against Utah.

"I'm not sure a loss helps you, but that loss was kind of a wake-up call," Nelson said. "It got us going."

Against Utah, the Lobos were not all that tough. They lost three straight games, 33-31, 30-28, 31-29. They were not relentless down the stretch, and Nelson said he was not bashful about pointing out a few UNM flaws.

Against BYU, "they just decided it was time," he said.

Time to play up to their potential.

Time to make a mad dash at that carrot of postseason play.

"That's one of those goals you kind of throw out there because it's something you should always shoot for," Nelson said. "I saw in the spring we probably had the talent to do it. But you can't always predict what is going to happen.

"Now, we are at the point where it's realistic."

The key for these talented Lobos (13-5 overall, 4-2 Mountain West Conference) to reach the NCAA tourney is obvious: Keep winning; keep beating teams like BYU that have owned you for the past few years.

One of those teams hits Johnson Center on Friday - San Diego State. The Aztecs have won 14 of 16 matches against the Lobos.

Another one of those teams visits Saturday - UNLV. The Rebels have won six straight against UNM. The Rebels have also been receiving votes in national ranking polls.

So far, the Lobos are doing a decent job in ending some ugly streaks. UNM's win at Wyoming ended a 10-match skid to the Cowgirls.

Colorado State, which now holds the No. 23 ranking, is 5-1 in league play, including a 3-0 sweep of the Lobos in Fort Collins.

The two matches this weekend in Johnson Center will mark the halfway point of the MWC season. If UNM sweeps, the Lobos will likely hold the No. 2 spot going into the second half of the conference race.

"That's where we want to be," Nelson said.

But not where the Lobos want to stay. When you are relentless, tough and high energy, you aren't satisfied with second place.

You want the carrot.