By: Zack Ponce
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| Ciara Brown |
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| Lauren Loerch |
Setter Ciara Brown and outside hitter Lauren Loerch, both juniors,
transferred to New Mexico State over the past summer. While their reasons for leaving their former
schools differ, their goals are the same – win immediately at New Mexico State.
Brown joins the 2012 Aggies squad after playing at Virginia
Commonwealth for two seasons. Brown was
named to the Colonial Athletic Association’s All-Rookie Team in 2010, leading
the Rams in assists. Unfortunately Brown
suffered a severe ankle sprain during the 2011 preseason, and only played in 13
sets for VCU during her sophomore year.
“I was out for probably a good month, and during that month
was when I decided to transfer,” Brown said.
“I actually visited [NM State] when all the girls were already on
Christmas break because VCU got out later…I had never really been to the west
coast and never been to New Mexico.”
Brown, a native of Fort Myers, Fla., also visited Kansas
State, St. Johns, and Winthrop, along with New Mexico State. She said her biggest factor when considering
schools was the strength of the volleyball program.
“The three girls I met, Desiree, Kelsey Phillips, and
Michelle were really big promoters of the competitive level here and they’re
the ones that really helped me decide,” Brown said of her Christmas visit to
Las Cruces. “I wanted to go to a better
level of volleyball…[NM State] had the best level and an opportunity to
contribute right away.”
While Brown transitioned to a higher level of competition, Loerch
made a lateral move to New Mexico State.
Loerch, who was raised in Georgetown, Texas, signed with the
California-Berkeley Golden Bears out of high school but only played in spurts over
the course of her first two years.
“I chose to transfer because there are better opportunities
[at NM State],” Loerch said. “I know the
program here and I know it’s really good.”
Loerch’s cousin, three-time All-Sun Belt Conference
selection Stevi Adams-Maytubby, played for head coach Mike Jordan from 2001-04
and sold her on the Aggie program.
“It was time for a change,” she commented. “I will always have great friends over at
Cal, but I’m really happy with the transfer here and am looking forward to the
memories I will make.”
Loerch’s decision was made even tougher because of the
caliber of team from which she walked away. Loerch was a freshman on the 2010 Golden Bear
squad that lost to Penn State in the NCAA National Championship Match.
The signing of Brown and Loerch was just as beneficial for
New Mexico State as it was for the two ladies.
The Aggies entered 2012 needing to replace former stars – setter
Jennah DeVries, a three-time AVCA All-American selection, and middle blocker
Kelsey Brennan, a three-time All-WAC selection.
Brown and Loerch quickly acclimated to the team and have
immediately increased the overall talent of New Mexico State.
Brown, who was named to the Colonial Athletic Association’s
All-Rookie Team in 2010, has become the Aggies’ top setter and leads the team
in assists. Meanwhile Loerch has solidified
herself as one of New Mexico State’s top offensive killers, along with Meredith
Hays and Desiree Scott.
Loerch also brings the experience and knowledge of the
individual and team effort required to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament
from her time at California.
“I know [NM State hasn’t] gone to the NCAA tournament in a
while and I wanted to be a part of that, and help lead the team far into the
tournament,” she said.
The last time New Mexico State appeared in the NCAA
Tournament was in 2008 when, ironically, the Aggies lost 3-1 to the Golden
Bears.
“Everybody is passionate about the sport and we’re all on
the same page working towards the same goal together,” Loerch said of the
similarities between the 2010 Golden Bears and the 2012 Aggies. “There’s nobody that’s not focused or
anything like that.”
The two transfers agree that Jordan’s coaching style is a
major strength of the team.
“I love the way he coaches,” Loerch smiled. “It was really easy for me to step in and be
coached by him. I know that he wants the
best for me and the whole team, and I really admire that…I love being pushed.”
“Obviously coach Jordan is very intense but I like that
about him,” Brown laughed. “He wants us
to be competitive and kind of digs to get that competitive edge. It’s sometimes shocking, but overall it makes
you the most mentally tough and physically tough athlete that you can be.”
Overall both ladies have no regrets about transferring to
New Mexico State and enjoy what the city of Las Cruces has to offer off the
court.
“Yea I love it,” Brown said.
“Obviously Florida is beautiful but I wanted to be away, grow up on my
own, experience life, and see different parts of the country.”
“It’s actually so much more beautiful than I expected.”
Loerch exclaimed about the environment.
“People [ask] ‘how does it contrast with Berkeley?’…Berkeley’s really
green, but [Las Cruces] is a different kind of beautiful,” Loerch added. “The mountains and the amazing sunsets, the
culture… everybody’s so friendly, welcoming, and nice. I love it.”
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