Confessions of an NMSU Volleyball Addict

The story goes that, back in 1922 the Texas A&M Aggies were struggling in a football game and the coach had worked his way through his bench. Realizing that he might have a personnel problem, he went to the press box and paged a a former football player named E Gill King. He suited up and stood by in case he was needed by his team. The A&M Aggies pulled through and won the game. Thus, the Aggie tradition of The 12th Man was born.

Last night, it's quite possible that the tradition of NMSU Aggie 7th Man was born.

After winning the first two sets, our Lady Aggies struggled and dropped the next 2 sets. During the 5th set, more than once Coach Jordan turned to the stands and waved to us to get up and cheer. Maria Roth did the same as well - "Get Up!!!!" We did and I firmly believe that the Aggie 7th man helped the team pull out the 15-13 win in the last set.

It's hard to explain this 'obsession' I have regarding volleyball. I equal it to watching my Chicago Cubs this year - well, not recently, but you get what I mean. Words can't explain what it's like to be back at the Pan Am, watching volleyball.

To me, it's doesn't matter who the first opponent is. What matters is setting up with the Tailgaters for great food and conversation, having people walk by and stare at us, then walk up and ask what in the world we're doing. What matters is standing in the walk way inside the PAC and yelling "Go Aggies" and seeing smiles from the team. What matters is getting to the seats, seeing familiar faces in the stands and, more importantly, new faces in the crowd (and we did see a lot of new faces). What matters is seeing the expressions on the new players faces when we get really rowdy - and the laughter from the returners as they try to explain that we're harmless.

Even though Mother Nature worked against the Aggie Tailgaters, it was a glorious day last Saturday. It was the day us volleyball fanatics had been waiting for - the chance to see this years team on the court and start to learn the names of the new players.

Having only followed volleyball since 2004, it was great to be able to see the players on the alumni team whom I'd heard about again and again - players like Morgan Reader and Jackie Godber. I have to admit, it was kind of strange (as it is at every alumni match) to see last years seniors on the other side of the net.

According to the WACsports website, the Pre Season Team includes 4 Aggies (the most from any WAC School)

The team is:
2008 Preseason All-WAC Team

Krista Altermatt, Jr., New Mexico State
Lindsay Baldwin, So., Nevada
Colleen Burke, Sr., San Jose State
Niki Clement, Sr., San Jose State
Aneli Cubi-Ontineru, Jr., Hawai‘i
Chelsea Fowles, So., Utah State
Jamie Houston, Sr., Hawai‘i
Amber Kaufman, Jr., Hawai‘i
Haley Larsen, Sr., Idaho
Amber Simpson, Sr., New Mexico State
Krystal Torres, Sr., New Mexico State
Lindsey Yon, Sr., New Mexico State

Jamie Houston from Hawaii was named the Pre-Season POY.
*****

From: A new door opens for Self

Bethany Self was offered a walk-on spot with the volleyball program and will start practicing with the team on July 7.

Welcome to NMSU Bethany!

(Ed. Note: We first reported this in yesterday's Daily Aggie).

Everyone is invited to the 1st (annual) Spring Scrimmage and Picnic, this Saturday - April 26. The game is at noon and should run til about 2pm and the picnic will follow from 2-4pm. If you'd like to go, drop Stevi Adams a note - steadams@nmsu.edu - so they can get a headcount. They'll be providing the hamburgers and drinks. If you can be there, we're being asked to bring along a side dish to supplement the burgers!

Also, it'll be a great chance to renew or even join the Side Out Club!

Hope to see you there!

Well, at least the Tailgaters History Book. Our first out of state tailgate raised some eyebrows and also introduced us to some passerbyers. We came out in force - I would estimate about 20 Aggie faithful made the trip to watch this 'tournament'. We were loud as well, which - if you know us - is tradition.

The 1st match started at 10am and, I hate to say it, but the Aggies were rusty. There were problems with service, back sets and regular assignments. Lindsey Yon and Whitney Phillips didn't play but the rest of the team was suited up and ready to go, including Kim Oguh. It was our first time watching the team without Bri, Anna and Jordan.

The team was dominated by the Wildcats in the first two sets, came back to win the third but dropped the 4th. 3-1 Wildcats when we broke for lunch. The bright spots were Whitney Woods who really stepped up when needed on the court as did Kelli Goodan.

Tucson is a beautiful town. The drivers are a little scary, however!

Tomorrow is game day. Or is that set day? I can't keep the new terms straight so forgive me - it's game day. First serve is at 10am at the McKale Center. I drove by the campus today - very nice. Oh, to have a football stadium like that. I'll update tomorrow afternoon after the matches/games/sets/whatever are over.

HOUSTON TOURNAMENT NEWS:

April 11 - 13th, the Lady Aggies will be in Houston for the Texas Tornados College tournament. This is a huge, huge tournament. Our team is the feature match on Friday, the 11th at 730pm when they take on Oklahoma. The tournament will be held at the Texas Tornados Training Facility Other teams include: Arkansas, Baylor, Houston, Kansas State, Louisiana Lafayette, New Mexico State, New Orleans, Notre Dame, Oklahoma,

It's off to Tucson tomorrow for this Volleyball Addict. Along with catching up with friends, it's time for spring VB! Hitting the road with me will be a few members of the Lady Aggie Tailgaters - and yes, we'll be set up for a breakfast tailgate somewhere near McKale Center on Saturday morning.

As was mentioned in the Daily Aggie this morning, there have been some changes to the 'tournament'. Two teams dropped out which means the schedule for play changed as well. According to Coach Jordan, the Aggies and Wilcats will play a best of 5 Saturday morning starting at 10am, then break for lunch and then come back for another best of 5 in the afternoon. If you're heading out, look for the blue canopy in a parking lot somewhere near the Center.

The Lady Aggies will head to Tucson for the Arizona Tournament being held Saturday, March 29th in Tucson. Right now, there are only 3 other teams listed for this event - Northern AZ, AZ State and U of AZ. There are a few Aggie faithful making the 4 hour trip to join up with the local AZ Aggies to watch the Ladies in action.

There is no word on when the new schedule will be released but if last year is any indication, look for it around the end of March or early April. As we've reported here, it's going to be a tough season with Stanford on the list in September.

If you read Coach Jordan's interview, you'll know that there was a rumor that the NCAA was considering some rule changes. They were approved last week. You can read them for yourself if you're interested. The biggest rule changes are:
*No more 30 points to win - 25 now