That's a Wrap

It's time to bring the public side of this blog to a close. I've never allowed comments on this blog because I really don't care what others think. I've seen how anonymous posters both over-hype and tear down kids on places like Volleytalk, and I didn't want to get into the mud with Trolls-especially when it comes to my kid.

This has always been a happy-happy-joy-joy approach blog. Since the outset, I've never wanted to offend anybody...even New Mexico State fan. I look on this blog now, and it's clearly become just a shill for UTEP volleyball. Folks can go elsewhere for that. Facebook has exciting links to press releases and event announcements, or you can go to the UTEP Athletics site for two-year old photos and other dated and inaccurate pap.

Whether you were a hacker from Thailand trying to figure out how to raid a bank account through this blog, or you were that coach at William & Mary who told Jacquie you weren't interested, but then visited the site repeatedly the next several weeks, thanks for stopping by. This was a fun thing to do and it leaves me with a nice scrapbook of Jacquie's college recruiting experience.

The X-Factor

She's Xitlali Herrera from far off Mexico. I dig this video-especially the music.

The Miners will be much more physical this season. I also think the attack will be far less predictable. Solid defense from Victoria and Stephanie means crisp passes that give the setter the chance to do something more than go left. Can't wait to see the Miners run the slide and set the pipe this season.

One Week to Go!

The Miners will scrimmage today at 4pm in Memorial Gym.

The season starts next Friday night in El Paso. Jacquie tweaked her ankle a few weeks ago. Hopefully, she'll be near 100% for the season opener on Friday night.

Preseason observations from a daughter of very few words:

• The refurbished locker room is lush
• The Valencia/Figueroa defensive tandem has been outstanding
• Newcomer Xitlali Herrera is unstoppable on the slide and puts up a great block
• Freshman Talia Jones is the real deal
• Jeane Horton may start the season at OH instead of MB
• Jacquie has been playing a lot of back row in preseason
• Yesterday was picture day and the weather was windy and rainy-perfect hair tossed in every direction made for some cranky Miner Vb divas
• All #15 has time for right now is playing ball, ankle rehab, eating, sleeping and Netflix movie marathons

2011 UTEP Volleyball Preseason Schedule

Looks like a solid preseason schedule for the Miners in 2011. NMSU on the road, Baylor and Mississippi State will all be big matches. Ken's done a great job of scheduling games against three teams that were NCAA tourney qualifiers last year.

First Week
After the demise of the Sun Bowl tournament two years ago, UTEP will again host a season-opening tourney the weekend of Augusta 27. Portland State (NCAA tournament qualifiers in 2010), UT Arlington (who whupped the Miners during last year's preseason), Nicholls State and Southern University are on the schedule.

Second Week
The Miners head to the Empire State the weekend of September 3 to participate in Cornell's tournament. Competition will include Niagara (NCAA tournament qualifiers in 2010), Delaware State, and American University (NCAA tournament qualifiers in 2010).

Third Week
Beaumont, Texas will be the Miners stop the weekend of September 10. Lamar will host UTEP, Baylor and Mississippi State.

Fourth Week
The I-10 rivalry game is on September 13 in Las Cruces. The Aggies dodged playing the Miners twice this spring. Clever little gamesmanship by coach Juggernaut. OH, Stephanie Ziegler, was hobbled with leg injuries, go-to hitters Giddens and Woods were out of eligibility and OH Rocio Gutierrez is now enrolled at UTEP.

The spring season finishes in Orlando the weekend of September 16-17. On Friday night, the Miners will play UCF in the CUSA opener and the winner will play the winner of the Florida International/Jacksonville U. match on Saturday.

New UTEP Recruits for 2011

Two announced signees and possibly two more to come. The first is Talia Jones, an OH from Phoenix's AZ Storm volleyball club. Here's a YouTube video of her. Not real tall, but she definitely wants the first ball on defense. She's also fearless on the pipe.

The second is an OH transfer from Eastern Washington University named Esther Warren. She's a Fort Worth, Texas kid who Ken recruited last year. I might understand a part of why she might have left. Jacquie sent Eastern Washington's head coach, Miles Kydd, an email in the early spring of her junior year. In his response, Miles wanted to know was who else was unsigned at that time on her Spiral club team. Sure Miles, Jacquie would be happy to do your scouting for you...AssHat.

There will also be a walk-on DS from El Paso joining the team next year. Another possible is an OH from Mexico. No idea as to names at this time.

Jacquie's Conference USA Commissioner's Medal

Sweeter than something a third-world dictator might wear.

NMSU Spring Tournament Photos

Rich Chavez has a most excellent gallery of photos from the April 9 tournament. Here is a link to the UTEP section: http://www.richchavez.com/portfolio/gallery.html

Spring Ball, April 9, 2011 at NMSU

The Miners split with New Mexico, Western New Mexico and Texas Tech. Got whacked by UA.

Here is a clip from game one vs. the Lobos.

Saturday's Matchups

The other day, Angela posted the match ups for this Saturday on the UTEP Vball Facebook page. Here they are:

9am New Mexico
10am Western New Mexico
Noon Texas Tech
1pm U of A

Would rather save Western New Mexico until the end of the day, but it is Spring. So no Miners/Aggies tilt this spring. I hope the I-10 Series is on again this fall. Love to be there when the Miners start winning some of these contests.

Big Weekend on the Horizon

The Miners head up I-10 to play a spring tourney at the big 4-H Club on Saturday. We'll be there in blue and orange, surrounded by a sea of Golden Girls and Grumpy Old Men in burgundy. Scheduled to appear:

• Miners
• Aggies
• Lobos
• UA Wildcats

There may be other schools at this tournament as well. Couldn't find anything on the Aggies web site, and the UTEP Volleyball web site was last updated in November. Should be an alert about summer camps any day now. This will probably be the only fresh vball content until August.