Aiming High

Expectations remain steep for Aggie volleyball 

By: Anthony Esparza

Sophomore middle hitter Meredith Hays patiently awaits a serve at practice.

Despite losing five seniors from a year ago, expectations remain high for the New Mexico State volleyball team in 2012.

NMSU posted a 23-10 record last season, finishing second in the Western Athletic Conference. The Aggies advanced to the championship match of the WAC Tournament, where they fell to Hawai’i in straight sets. This year, the Aggies plan on taking the court with a more organized game plan.

“There needs to be more than just a team dynamic,” said junior middle blocker Desiree Scott. “We need to work harder, play smarter, be more competitive and come together more as team. I feel like that’s what we’re doing this year. “

After losing a handful of seniors from a year ago, Scott is one of the players who will have a bigger role in 2012.

“We only have one senior, so the younger girls and the juniors all have to step up,” Scott said. “Coach [Jordan] is looking to the girls who have been here to step up, and that’s what I feel like I’ve been doing.”

Scott said the offseason workouts were more intense this year than in her previous two years on the team. She also said the coaching staff is expecting more from the team in 2012.

The WAC Preseason Coaches’ Poll indicates the other nine coaches in the conferences are also expecting a lot from of the Aggies this season. NMSU was picked to win the conference, receiving eight-of-ten first-place votes.

Sophomore middle hitter Meredith Hays said being picked to win the WAC is an honor, but comes at a price.

“It’s a nice compliment to be picked as a team to win the WAC, but that just puts a target on our back,” Hays said. “We have to play as hard and as well as we can every single time we step out on the floor, and that’s not just [for] games, it’s practices too.”

In addition to being picked to win the conference crown, three Aggies were named to the Preseason All-WAC team, including Scott and Hays.

Scott had a productive 2011 season, finishing third on the team in blocks and fifth in kills. She was named to the Southwest Region Team, and was an honorable mention selection on the COBRA Magazine All-National Team.

Hays is coming off a memorable freshman season, in which she became only the second player in program history to record 500 kills. The Herford, Texas native ranked in the top 20 nationally in kills per set and points per set and was named WAC Freshman of the Year.

Hays said she is more comfortable on the college court and will no longer play with the nerves she played with as a freshman.

“Thankfully, playing with nerves is kind of out of my system so that’s really nice,” Hays said. “I think I have a better perspective on the year, and I think my main goal for this year is to keep in mind who I’m playing for, which is first and foremost the Lord and then my team.“

The team will certainly look to Hays to build off her success from last season, as the Aggies compete in the new-look WAC.

Fresno State, Nevada and volleyball powerhouse Hawai’i left the WAC, while Seattle, Texas-Arlington, Texas State, and Texas-San Antonio joined the conference.

“I think it’s awesome that we get to change [things] up and we get to play different teams,” Scott said. “It gives us a new look at new people that we’ve never played before and we don’t know what they do, so we have to step up our game because we don’t know what they’re doing.”

In addition to having more demanding practices in the offseason and playing new teams, the Aggies will be fueled by the unfinished business they believe they left last season.

“I would say we had what it took to go farther than we did, and I think that was one of the roughest things…” Hays said. “I just think there’s a lot of unfinished business and I think we are even more physical this year, so we have a really good shot at it.” 

NMSU opens the 2012 season by playing in the Northern Illinois Tournament in DeKalb, Ill. The two-day tournament begins today and the teams competing are NMSU, Wichita State, North Dakota State and host-school Northern Illinois. 

Going independent is short-term solution for NMSU football

By: Anthony Esparza

Image Courtesy of NMStatesports.com

New Mexico State athletics director McKinley Boston confirmed Tuesday that NMSU football will operate as an independent program in 2013.

This came after Western Athletic Conference commissioner Jeff Hurd told the Denver Post the WAC would not be a football-playing conference next season. Boston said the athletics department had forecasted that outcome prior to Hurd’s comments.

“We all have been pretty certain that the WAC would not operate in the fall of 2013 as a football conference,” Boston said. “We’ve been looking at football scheduling for the fall of 2013 as a possible independent, so we’ve been operating under that assumption.”

Boston said being an independent football program will not have any negative economic implications for the 2013 season, but added that NMSU could not sustain being an independent for the long term.  

“As a long-term model, it is something that could have challenging repercussions because you would have to pay schools guaranteed money to come and play home games if they’re not home-and-away contractual agreements,” Boston said. “That could be a hurdle in fall of 2014, but it is not one that we’re having issues with in fall of 2013.”

Because of the long-term costs, being an independent football program would only be a short-team solution while the athletics department examined other conference membership options.

One option is a potential conference alliance between the WAC and Big Sky, which is being discussed by WAC administration. The NMSU athletics department will also consider any available options in joining the Mountain West, Conference USA or the Sun Belt after the conferences conclude their respective television deal discussions in late fall.

Boston said the ideal solution for NMSU would be to receive an invitation to join the Mountain West. However, Mountain West commissioner Craig Thompson said neither NMSU nor Idaho will be invited to join the conference.

“In all fairness to New Mexico State and Idaho, we’ve informed them that they will not be members of the Mountain West,” Thompson said at Mountain West media day last month. “Go on with plan B, whatever plan B may be.”

Thompson also said NMSU’s market size would not “move the needle on a television package.”

Boston is well aware of the profound impact television revenue has in conference alignment discussions, and said the athletics department will continue exploring the various options that are on the table.  

“Most of this is driven by the economics of TV and the television revenue,” Boston said. “Unfortunately the `state of New Mexico brings zero television value into the discussion and that makes it a very complicated set of circumstances to manage.”

The other 15 NMSU sports will remain in the WAC next year, as Boston said the WAC will operate as a non-football conference in 2013.
 

Aggies Must Win Early to Break 52-year Bowl Drought

By: Zack Ponce

Imagine Aggie Memorial Stadium packed with fans to cheer the New Mexico State Aggies to victory over archrival UTEP 27-15, leading NMSU to a perfect 11-0 record.

Sounds like a fantasy? 

Yes, at least to a 22-year-old like me.

But this did happen – in 1960.

52 years ago New Mexico State posted its only perfect season, defeating Utah State in the 1960 Sun Bowl by a 20-13 margin.

The Aggies have never again appeared in a bowl game.

“It’s tough to talk about,” redshirt-senior defensive tackle Donte Savage said about the bowl drought.  “Before I came here a lot of people told me that New Mexico State had a tough past, but one of these days we’re gonna have to change the tradition around here.”

The Aggies enter the 2012 campaign in an unfamiliar situation – they are, or should be, favored to win five games on their schedule.  These include matchups against Sacramento State (Aug. 30), at Texas-El Paso (Sept. 15), New Mexico (Sept. 22), Texas-San Antonio (Sept. 29), and at Texas State (Dec. 1).

If you include games at Ohio (Sept. 8), at Idaho (Oct. 6), and home against San Jose State (Nov. 10) as “winnable,” then New Mexico State has a chance to win the six games required for bowl eligibility.

“We know about it, we know what our goal is,” starting redshirt-sophomore quarterback Andrew Manley replied.

All teams want to start the year strong, but New Mexico State needs to win early.  Six of the eight aforementioned “winnable” games occur in the first-half of the schedule.

However NMSU is not a lock to win all of their first six games. 

Two matchups in particular stand out as potential losses – at Ohio and at UTEP.

Last year in Las Cruces the Aggies played Ohio tough for a half before surrendering 21 second-half points en route to a 44-24 defeat.  This year NMSU must travel to Athens, Ohio. 

The 2011 Aggies, who you could argue were the better team, found a way to lose 16-10 at home against UTEP thanks in part to four NMSU fumbles. 

New Mexico State should be favored to beat UTEP this year, but the Aggies have struggled to win in El Paso.  NMSU has only won three times in the last 20 years at the Sun Bowl, with the most recent victory being a narrow 34-33 win in 2008 (Hal Mumme’s final season).

The optimist would like to think the Aggies will finish this season, their final campaign in the Western Athletic Conference, with an 8-4 record.  The realist, 5-7 at best.

When asked what would qualify as a successful year, Savage replied, “winning more than four games.”

I agree. 

The sad truth is that New Mexico State has finished with an above-.500 record only eight times since 1960.  NMSU is not Florida, Texas, or even Arizona State.

For a program that last finished with a record above .500 in 2002, Aggie fans must temper expectations.

Head coach Dwayne Walker has shown steady improvement since his arrival from UCLA in 2009.  It’s been apparent in the team’s on-field effort, and hopefully it will manifest itself in the team’s final record of 2012.

“Everybody bought into coach Walker’s plan at this university, so all we have to do is go out there and do what we need to do,” Savage said.

Aggie Look Back

                                         Aug. 17-19

The 2012-13 college sports season officially began Friday as the Aggies soccer team played two games in the Holiday Inn Classic in Boise, Idaho.

NMSU Soccer

Fri, Aug. 17:   NMSU at Boise State             – Boise State wins 1-0;         NMSU record (0-1)

Sun, Aug. 19: NMSU at Idaho State             – Idaho State wins 2-0;         NMSU record (0-2)

                                                       Looking Ahead

NMSU Volleyball – Northern Illinois Tournament (DeKalb, Ill.)

Fri, Aug. 24:   NMSU vs. Wichita State

Sat, Aug. 25:   NMSU vs. North Dakota State

Sat, Aug. 25:   NMSU vs. Northern Illinois

 

Aggie Soccer Overlooked, Ready to Surprise

By: Zack Ponce

Photo By: Tim Barnett-Queen

While the city of Las Cruces continues to endure 100-degree weather, the fact that fall has begun was marked by Friday’s Crimson and White soccer scrimmage in front of 187 fans.

The white squad, consisting of the first-team starters, defeated their crimson counterparts 3-0.  Cassie De Leon, Jennae Cambra, and Mary Kate Koziol all scored goals.  Yolanda McMillion added an assist on De Leon’s goal.

Second-year head coach Blair Quinn heavily critiqued the play of both squads, even if the final score was meaningless.

“[The scrimmage] was good, I was actually pleasantly surprised to be honest,” Quinn said.  “I thought, especially in the first half, the white group specifically was really well connected.  The midfield was outstanding – Elise, MK, and Daisy.  They were getting more options out of the forwards to find ways to get in and score a couple of great goals.”

The white squad’s defense also played stellar, allowing only two shots on goal that were saved by goalkeeper Jessica Schutter.

“The defending line was playing well by themselves.  The midfield line, the forward line were each playing well by themselves but we weren’t playing well together yet and connecting,” Quinn added.

The Aggies are running out of time to become a single, fluid team. 

New Mexico State will leave this week for Boise, Idaho where they begin the regular season at the Holiday Inn Classic.  The Aggies play host-team Boise State on Friday, Aug. 17 and then Idaho State on Sunday, Aug. 19.

“I think we’re as good as we should be for where we are now, but I still think in the next week we need to tighten some things up and get better,” Quinn said.  “But I think with the few things we have we can do that in a week, whereas last year I just felt like we were so far behind and still trying to prepare for that first weekend.  I really feel like we’re in a good spot to get ready for that week.”

The difference – the Aggies return seven seniors and nine starters from a season ago, including senior forward McMillion who earned second-team All-WAC honors in 2011.

Despite the returning experience, the Aggies were picked to finish in eighth place out of nine teams in the Western Athletic Conference in the coaches’ poll released last week.  Only Louisiana Tech was picked to finish lower than New Mexico State.

“I don’t know [why].  A lot of those guys are my friends that I’ve known for a long time and maybe they see something in the new teams that are coming in,” Quinn laughed.  “You know we got overlooked last year and I think a couple teams paid for it, and that’s fine.  If they overlook us again I’m okay with it.”

Denver University and Seattle University join UTSA and Texas State as new additions to WAC soccer.  Denver and Seattle do not have football programs but will participate in the WAC in many sports, including men’s basketball.

Seattle U has a rich soccer tradition, primarily because they are located in an area of the country where the sport is popular.  The Redhawks consistently play Pacific-12 teams; and play them tough.

Last year New Mexico State advanced to the WAC Semifinals for the first time in program history with a 2-1 victory over Hawai’i.

Utah State won the 2011 WAC Soccer Championship, defeating Fresno State 1-0. 

The Aggies don’t play their first home match until Friday, Sept. 7 versus Sam Houston State.

Aggie Football Notebook: Offensive Line

By: Anthony Esparza

The New Mexico State offensive line returns three players from last year’s starting unit.

Junior Devonte Wallace anchored the Aggie offensive line last season. The El Paso native finished with 52 knockdowns, while allowing five sacks and committing five penalties. Wallace was named a second team All-Western Athletic Conference selection, making him the first Aggie lineman since 2008 to earn an award.

Andrew Kersten returns for his senior season at NMSU, after transferring from El Camino Junior College in 2011. Kersten played in 11 games in 2011, allowing just one sack. He also had two games with double-digit knockdowns.

Valerian Ume-Ezeoke enters his sophomore season with the Aggies, after starting in six games last year. The Aggie lineman finished with 32 knockdowns, while allowing no sacks and committing no penalties.

Junior college transfer Dada Richards is a new addition who could have an immediate impact on the line. At six-foot-three, 315 pounds, Richards provides NMSU with another big body to protect Andrew Manley and create space for the running backs.

There are four redshirt freshmen looking for significant playing time in 2012, including Andy Cunningham, who missed all of last season after suffering an injury at fall camp. At six-foot-four, 300 pounds, Cunningham is another big body who will bulk up the line.

New offensive line coach Brad Bedell, who held the same position at UC Davis last year, is in charge of putting the pieces on the line together. Bedell also played lineman for the Cleveland Browns Washington Redskins, Miami Dolphins, Green Bay Packers and Houston Texans during his NFL career.

There is no shortage of size on the offensive line, but experience is limited. Wallace, Kersten and Ume-Ezeoke are the only offensive lineman on the roster who saw playing time for the Aggies last season.

Nevertheless, the NMSU offense will need improvement from the line in 2012. Last season, the Aggies allowed 36 sacks, which was second most in the WAC.

                 

Aggie Football Notebook: The Secondary

By: Anthony Esparza

There are going to be significant voids to fill in the New Mexico State secondary in 2012.

The Aggies lost five seniors from last year’s unit, including Donaye Coleman and Jonte Green.

Coleman had a standout year for NMSU in 2011. The Aggie safety recorded 133 tackles, six interceptions and three fumble recoveries last season, and earned All-WAC First Team honors. Coleman’s production garnered the attention of NFL scouts, as he was signed as free agent by the Arizona Cardinals.

Green also had a productive year for the Aggie defense, finishing with 70 tackles, two pass break-ups and a sack. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions with the 196^th pick in the sixth round of the NFL Draft.

The Aggies also lost safety Ben Bradley and defensive back Courtney Viney. Bradley finished second on the team in tackles with 94, and broke up three passes last year. Viney played in 13 games and recorded 75 tackles and four pass break-ups.

Despite the losses, the NMSU secondary does have quality players returning; as well as, junior college players looking to earn immediate playing time. 

Senior Jeremy Harris is one of the returning players looking for a larger role on the defense this season. Last year, Harris recorded 27 tackles and two pass break-ups in his first season at NMSU after transferring from East Los Angeles Junior College.

Darien Johnson returns for his junior year after a solid 2011 season, in which he finished with 40 tackles and a pair of pass break-ups. Listed at 5-feet-9-inches, Johnson is undersized for his position but can still contribute to the defense.

Look for a pair of junior-college transfers to compete for playing time in the Aggie secondary.

Cameron Fuller recorded 21 tackles and ten pass break-ups in his one season at Contra Costa College. The 5-foot-11-inch cornerback also intercepted three passes for 64 yards and a touchdown, and was named to the second team all-league.

Dele Junaid’s college football career has been an interesting journey. The 6-foot-1-inch defensive back started his collegiate career by spending two seasons at Ole Miss, where he saw limited playing time. He then transferred to Eastern Arizona, where he recorded 32 tackles in six games.

The competition for playing time makes the secondary one of the more intriguing groups to watch in fall camp, as the Aggies look to retool the defense as whole.

Aggie Pass Defense by the Numbers in 2011

Total Passing Yards Allowed: 3, 164 (5^th in WAC)

Passing Yards Allowed Per Game: 243.4 (4^th in WAC)

Passing Touchdowns Allowed: 26 (3^rd most in WAC)

Interceptions: 10 (5^th in WAC)