The New Mexico State University and UTEP women’s volleyball are forming a partnership.
The NMSU athletic department announced Thursday that its women’s volleyball team will temporarily play its home games in UTEP’s Memorial Gym in El Paso due to New Mexico’s COVID-Safe Practices for Intercollegiate Sports.
"Memorial gym is the perfect place for us to host our Western Athletic Conference matches,” New Mexico State director of athletics Mario Moccia said. "I would like to thank all the UTEP officials that made this possible, especially UTEP's head coach, Ben Wallis. Aggie Nation is very appreciative. We look forward to pursuing another WAC title close to home and in a very historic venue."
A new home was essential because New Mexico teams are allowed to practice in the state, but games aren’t allowed under the current coronavirus protocols. Therefore, the 2-0 women’s volleyball team, which started its season Monday, will take the court in El Paso, which is also where the NMSU women’s tennis team is scheduled to open its season Friday.
The Aggies will share Memorial Gym, which seats 5,200 people, with UTEP, which is scheduled to start its season Feb. 7.
"We are very grateful to UTEP for being able to accommodate us," New Mexico State head coach Mike Jordan said.
The Aggies’ first game in their new home will come when they host Grand Canyon on Feb. 15.
The New Mexico State has had to get creative to play through the state’s protocols. The school’s basketball teams set up shop in Phoenix in November, and were recently allowed to return home to practice when the state guidelines shifted again.
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