From Thursday's Sun News:
Aggies gunning for No. 1 spot
New Mexico State volleyball coach Mike Jordan was happy with the Aggies' No. 2 ranking in the Western Athletic Conference volleyball coaches poll. But even he concedes it's not where he wants his team to be.
Jordan's team placed second in the coaches poll to Hawaii in the conference. The Rainbow Wahine finished first in the WAC last season and are clearly the team to beat again this year in the conference. NMSU finished in second place in 2006 and hopes that this is the year the team claims the top spot.
"Anytime you're in a conference, in any sport, you have to be prepared to beat the best team," Jordan said. "If you can do that, then you're good enough to beat everyone else. Hawaii's got a target on its back. We want to be No. 1."
The Aggies hope to build off the program's recent success. NMSU went 33-4 last season and the team has been to the NCAA Tournament three of the last four years. The past two seasons, Jordan has captured WAC Coach of the Year honors as the Aggies have climbed the conference ladder.
The team returns impact players Kim Oguh, Amber Simpson, Jordan Bostic, Briana Akrie and Krystal Torres.
Newcommers who could make a difference on the court include Iowa State transfer Alyssa Gintant, who is expected to take over as the team's starting setter; Texas A&M transfer Lindsey Yon, who will compete at outside hitter; and possible freshmen contributors Whitney Phillips and Bryn Rodgers. Jordan also said that local product Alex Steinmetz would get an opportunity to compete for time.
"I definitely think that they will all have a positive impact," senior outside hitter Anna Callis said. "All are very competitive, have good work ethics and are similar to what coach Jordan expects from his players. They'll all be a good fit."
With the reinforcements, the Aggies are hopeful to advance in postseason play. NMSU lost to Colorado last year in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
"When we have team meetings, that's always one of our top priorities, to get to the NCAA's and advance." Oguh said. "I don't expect that to change. We're ready to play."
Still, the team will have to get past the Rainbow Wahine, a program that has gone to nine consecutive NCAA regionals and recorded eight of the nine first-place votes in the coaches poll. The two teams split their two regular-season matches last season, with NMSU winning in Las Cruces 3-2 and Hawaii sweeping the Aggies in Honolulu. The loss was one of just two that NMSU suffered within the WAC last season.
The Rainbow Wahine also knocked off the Aggies 3-1 during the WAC Tournament last year.
"Hawaii is a great team and they have been for a number of years," Oguh said. "They're the ones to beat. I think we're a lot stronger than last year and we're excited."
Jordan agrees.
"We're a good team," Jordan said. "To set our sights on anyone else wouldn't make any sense."
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Aggie Volleyball Picked Second by WAC Coaches
LAS CRUCES, N.M-Coming off its most successful season in school history, the New Mexico State volleyball team was picked second in Western Athletic Conference coaches’ poll the conference office announced on Monday, July 30.
NMSU volleyball head coach Michael Jordan is very optimistic about his team in 2007, as it received 55 total points, behind defending WAC champion Hawai’i. The Rainbow Wahine received 64 points, including eight of nine first-place votes, while San Jose State got the other first place vote. The Spartans tied for third with Idaho with 44 points each.
“Preseason polls usually don’t mean much to coaches, but I am happy that we were picked second,” Jordan said. “Each coach knows their team better than anyone else and the way I know my team, I think we can win it if everyone stays healthy.”
Nevada was picked fifth in the poll with 36 points, while Boise State was picked sixth with 30 and Utah State picked seventh with 22 points. Fresno State was chosen eighth with 20 points and Louisiana Tech rounded out the poll with nine points and was picked ninth.
“I really believe that we can win the conference, although it’s not going to be easy because there are a few really good teams in our league,” Jordan said.
NMSU finished the 2006 campaign with a 33-4 record and placed second in the WAC. The team advanced to the NCAA tournament with its first ever at-large bid, entering the tournament for the third time in the last four years.
In 2006, the Aggies had first-team All-WAC and one second-team All-WAC honoree while Jordan earned his second consecutive WAC Coach of the Year award and fourth straight overall.
The Aggies are returning a handful of players who made a big impact in the 2006 season including AVCA All-American honorable mention selections, Kim Oguh (El Paso, Hanks HS) and Amber Simpson (Quincy, Ill.). Also returning are defensive specialists Jordan Bostic (El Paso, Franklin HS), Briana Akrie (Aurora, Colo.) and Krystal Torres (Las Cruces, Mayfield HS), all who have started at the libero position at some point in the past three seasons.
“We have lots of players coming back from last year’s team and I think they’re better than they were a year ago,” Jordan said. “When you return that much talent and experience, it makes you feel good about your chances.”
NMSU looks to prove itself as the Aggies have a tough schedule that includes the likes of teams such as nationally ranked Hawai’i and the defending national champion Nebraska. The non-conference schedule also includes Texas and Utah, who are sure to give the Aggies a challenge.
The 2007 WAC season concludes in Las Cruces as the Aggies will host the 2007 WAC Volleyball tournament. This is the first time in school history that NMSU will host a volleyball tournament.
posted by Melanie Brooks @ 2:15 PM
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