NM State Aggies vs Kennesaw State Owls Volleyball 11-13-25

It’s the home finale series for Aggie Volleyball.    It’s always too short a season with the Volleyball girls.    On the other hand, they might be ready for it to be over.    After Tuesday’s Aggie Basketball double header and three more events to go on my week off, I may be ready for a break, as well.

Maggie Lightheart was the C-USA Player of the Week after her performance against Middle Tennessee (10-24-25).  They had a four-set win the next week over last place LA Tech.    The Aggies looked good in three sets, but had a bad set mixed in.    The next day, playing in a different venue, the Aggies inexplicably lost in straight sets.    This was LA Tech’s first win in conference.    Claudia Rossi was the starting setter, possibly for the first time this season.

It got worse the next week.    The Aggies lost in 5 sets to Jax State in their second reverse sweep of the season.    It was 16 to 4 in aces against them.    Maggie and Tess Fuqua played well and Rilen Garcia was the starting setter.    In an interview afterward, Coach Jordan said he needed to be harder on them in practice.    The team responded with a four-set loss the next day.    It was, at least, close in all 4 sets.    They out- blocked Jax State and the other stats were pretty even.    Jax State is only a .500 team.

I enjoyed Basketball on Tuesday, but this week off has kind of sucked.    It’s been boring, though I did finally finish All-Star Superman, which was great.    I’ll review it after posting all of these Aggie Sporting events.    Today, it was sort of a grey, overcast day without even any rain.    It was only depressing.   

I pulled into the Pan-Am Center parking lot and it was deserted enough that I was wondering if the game was on.    It was just as empty inside.    The Reese family wasn’t even there initially.    I still sat down where they usually sit and thankfully they showed up shortly.    Attendance overall was just 421.    There was plenty of time for the day change on the game to get out there, but a Thursday night game still might not attract a good crowd.   

I suppose the most interesting team news that I could confirm was that Tess had let her hair return to her natural golden brown.    (She looked even more beautiful.)    I asked Robin Reese what had happened to the team over the last two weeks.    She had theories, but couldn’t explain it.    At least it was confirmed that the Aggies will be in the conference tournament.    Trey Reese was having to make travel and lodging reservations to go to Miami.    He thinks the Aggies will be playing UTEP or WKU in the first round, so he’s not anticipating a long stay.    Hopefully, they can make a little vacation out of it.

Trey cleared up something from the previous homestand.  The Aggie Baseball team held a draft party for their “World Series,” which required them to dress up and have a date.    I had thought it was a dance.    For a draft party, I can see why some of the guys were having trouble finding dates.       

Tonight’s opponent was #3 in the standings, Kennesaw State.    The Owls were dressed in eye-hurting yellow and black uniforms.    It was like they should be playing soccer in the English Premier League.    Much more pleasing, Assistant Coach Chelsea Rose looked spectacular with her silver blonde hair, tight white top, and black slacks.    The trainer was color-coordinated with a white blouse, a black skirt, and cowboy boots.   

During player introductions, the starting Owls all ran over and shook hands with Chelsea.    She seemed surprised by the congeniality.    Coach Jordan wasn’t sitting on the bench at the time.    Maybe they didn’t know who the Aggie coach was.    To give a little equal opportunity, I have to admit the KS Coach, Keith Schunzel, is fairly handsome.    Maybe that helps with recruiting.   

Rilen was the Aggies’ starting setter.    Aggie Soccer was again supplying the ballgirls tonight.    Aggie Women’s Basketball was in attendance.    I wouldn’t have noticed them across the court, but I think I saw Loes Rozing wearing a bright, pink sweatsuit that was hard to miss.    Of course, Emma Christiano was there, too.    She’ll be coming to Aggie games with her kids in a few years.

Set 1

Kate Sinclair got a kill to start, but KS took the next 3 points, including an ace by Kierman Stamey that hung on top of the net for a moment before falling over.    Tess, Jaelynn Kohli, and Maggie all had their first kills to keep it tight.    6-4 Aggies, Zoe Ziegler got a kill down the line.    Tess made a pancake save on the play.    Maggie tooled a block right after.    Nellie Reese, who had rotated in to serve, put in an ace for a 4-point run.

Zoe was possessed.    She added two more kills.    Zoe even came up to serve.    I don’t recall seeing her serve.    If I had, I think I’d remember our 6’6” hitter doing an awkward-looking Brazilian high-toss jump serve.    Mia Fox and Jaelynn made two more kills before the break at 15-8 Aggies.    Freshman Jazlyn Vasquez was conducting the rest of the Reserves like a choir cheering the starters off the court.   

Maggie, Zoe, and Tess made kills to get the Aggies to the Turn and beyond.    22-14 Aggies, KS made two impressive off-court saves to get a ball back over, but lost the point on an out-swing.    The Aggies took Set 1, 25-15, on a kill by Jae.    Zoe set her.    Zoe seemed more surprised than anyone with that.   

Set 2: Aggies 1, Owls 0

The next set started off well.    Jae had a kill and Kate made a block for a 5-1 Aggie lead.    KS came back.    5-4 Aggies, Owl setter, Kaeley Walz, went full Matrix bending backward to dodge a swing that went out.    Kate ended the KS run with a kill down the middle.    Jae kept the Aggies in the lead briefly with a kill, but KS pulled ahead.    7-10 KS, Zoe attempted a crosscourt standing swing next to the up ref on a busted play.    As Trey said, “That would have been great, if it had worked.”   

Maggie and Mia had kills, but the Aggies were still behind.    10-13 KS, a touch call or a 4-touches call on the Owls was challenged.    After a long delay, it was reversed and the point was replayed with KS taking it.    Maggie had a kill, but it was 11-15 KS going into the break.   

Jae had a kill after the timeout.    13-16 KS, Zoe hammered a block at the net.    It would have gotten her ejected, but I can’t believe she didn’t waggle a finger at the other team and say, “No! No! No!”    Maggie got a touch kill.    Mia had a crosscourt kill off a backset by Nellie.    Still, it was 15-20 KS at the Turn and the Aggies took a timeout.    Zoe had hit one out before the break and wanted a challenge, but the Coach waved it off.

Tess got the kill out of the timeout.    Kaylee Peterson went in to serve for Zoe.    Tess got a tip kill.    Kate, who’d missed on the previous point, had a kill at 18-22 KS.    Jae had the last Aggie kill, before the Owls took Set 2, 19-25.       

Set 3: Aggies 1, Owls 1

When Nellie came back to our side of the court, she held up 9 fingers to her parents.    Trey explained that Nellie was close to passing Robin for career assists.    Later, Trey would have his phone out recording when she did it.   

However, Claudia came out to start setting for this set.    I’m not sure I get the Coach’s setting strategy (and I’m going to get more confused later).    Bella Castro was also in for Makayla Martinez at libero.    3-2 Aggies, Jae got a touch kill.    She seemed to convince the up official into making the call.    Nellie rotated in and made a tremendous diving dig at 4-3 Aggies, which KS put into the net.

Zoe kept the Aggies in the lead at 5-4 with a kill, but misfired on a serve right after.    She came out and the Coach had her sit next him for a talk.    Maggie then missed a dig.    Jacqueline Corcoran was sent in for her, and Maggie went to the hot seat with the Coach.    6-7 KS, Mia smashed a facial at the net.    “How did that taste?” Trey asked.   

Suddenly, the stands quaked.    The north end bleachers are retractable, so they’re not bolted to concrete.    A very large man in heavy boots stomped down the stairway.    He was also wearing a large amount of cologne.    I was afraid to look to see any other details.   

8-9 KS, Claudia set Kate for a kill down the middle, but the Owls took the next two points.    Maggie wanted a challenge for a touch on the last one, but the Coach called a timeout instead.    KS did challenge an out-serve on the next point and it was an easy reversal.   

After a bad block on the next point, Coach Jordan finally started getting animated and lectured the Reserves.    Jac again came in for Maggie.    This time the Coach just waved Maggie to the Reserves without a lecture.    She hung her head going back.    He kept her out for the rest of the set, even when it looked like she’d asked to come back in.             

The move did pay off immediately with Jac getting a kill at 10-14 KS.    Mia got the next Aggie kill, even with the ball pinballing off the net twice.    Since Nellie was in, Trey asked Robin if that counted as an assist.    (It did.)    Walz made a slick setter dump with an Ole’ move at 11-17 for an Owl point.    Bianca Perez then cycled in for Nellie.    I did not have that on my Bingo card.    I guess Bianca’s finally healed enough to play the position.    I told Robin to get warmed up.    If this didn’t work, the Coach would probably put her in.

Owl Ava Holtz then served up two aces at Makayla.    Bella was put in for her.    12-19 KS, Bianca bump set Tess for a kill.    Tess then smacked two more very hard kills.    Jac made a solo block.    Zoe, with the Reserves, flew around doing the Airplane in celebration for her.    However, the Owls closed it out, 17-25.

Set 4: Owls 2, Aggies 1

Cooper Reese, sitting with his Baseball teammates, was on the videoboard briefly.    Trey wasn’t able to get his phone out quick enough to catch his son there.    An adorable little kid was caught on Dance Cam.    Bianca was the starting setter and Maggie was back in.    Perhaps the Coach had written off the previous set and wanted to rest her.

2-2 Maggie fired a kill right at us.    If the Reese family wasn’t here, I would not be sitting in these seats.    4-3 Aggies, Tess with a kill and she was fired up.    Zoe then served out.    I think this Zoe serving experiment should end.    Jae tooled the Owl blockers to tie it at 6.    Tess got the Aggies into the lead, 7-6, with a beautiful 12-6 curveball over the net for an ace.   

The Owls took the lead.    At 7-9 KS, Ava Garner dunked one hard for the Owls.    Maggie then smashed a facial on Walz at the net, who went right down to her knees.    Maggie immediately reached under the net to see if she was okay.    (Maggie has a tender heart, too.)    There was a delay, but Kaeley waved off all attention and there wasn’t any blood (somehow).    (Don’t hit her in the face!    Kaeley is pretty!)    Maggie tied it at 9 with a block and Jae gave the Aggies a 10-9 lead with another block.    Timeout KS.

The Aggies kept the lead.    Maggie had a kill and Bianca served up an ace.    13-12 Aggies, Mia made a tip kill that left three Owls in a heap on the court trying to get it.    Maggie and Tess added kills, but the Owls came back and retook the lead, 15-16.    Timeout Aggies.    They were missing digs.    The Coach then challenged the next point, but it was upheld for a 15-17 KS lead.

Boom!    Another hard kill for Tess at 17-18.    Bianca seemed happily stunned by how well Tess had converted on her set.    Nellie rotated back in and gave Kate a low set for another kill.    20-19 Aggies and timeout KS.    Maggie tied it at 21 with a kill.    Jae gave them the lead on next point.    The teams traded service errors to tie it at 23.    Timeout Aggies.    Rilen was suddenly put back in for Bianca, who’d made the last service error.

Maggie tooled a block to get the Aggies to set point at 24-23.    Rilen then missed a set to tie it at 24.    I don’t think the Coach could have gotten mad at her; it was his decision to make the change.    Tess had a crosscourt kill to again get the Aggies to set point, 25-24, but KS tied it up again.   

The Owls took a 25-26 lead, but the Coach challenged a touch and it was reversed for another Aggie set point and another kill for Tess.    Jac came in to serve.    KS took that point and the next with an ace off of Jac.    Finally, Tess was blocked and KS took the set, 26-28, and the match, 1-3.             

I was really believing there for a moment and then it was suddenly over.    The girls looked a little stunned, as well.    The Coach had two quick talks with them huddled up before releasing the team to their families and friends.    I hope he was apologizing, because he made about as many bad decisions as good ones on who was playing.    I’m worried that the Aggie setters have all become headcases from being jerked in and out of the lineup constantly after any mistake.       

       

The Aggies out-hit the Owls .295 to .288.    They were nearly even on kills and blocks.    The Owls were up 6 to 2 in aces and 7 to 12 in service errors, but it didn’t feel like this was lost on the service line.    Usually, I can point to an easy stat difference for the cause of a win or loss, but not this time.   

Manu Johnsen was kind of awesome for the Owls with 25 kills. Maggie Butkovich had 11 kills.    Setter Kaeley Walz had 44 assists.    For the Aggies, Maggie Lightheart, Tess Fuqua, and Jaelynn Kohli all had 12 kills.    Mia Fox had 7 kills. (I noticed on the stat sheet, Mia has surprisingly played the most sets on the team this season.)    Zoe Ziegler started hot and finished with 5 kills and 3 blocks.    Nellie Reese had 22 assists to lead the four setters used.    Bianca Perez had 9 assists in only 2 sets of work.    They were distributing the ball pretty evenly to the hitters.   

I’ll be back tomorrow for Senior Day.    Remember ladies, you can’t lose on Senior Day.    If nothing else, this will be the final home game for the team.    I invited a few people to it, so we’ll hopefully have a good crowd and not be disappointed.

NM State Aggies vs NM Highlands Cowboys Men’s Basketball 11-11-25

The Aggie Men’s Basketball season started off on a poor note for an exhibition in Mexico. Coach Hooten had to leave several players left behind for visa issues. This is reminiscent of the Baseball Exhibition last month (10-11-25) with a Mexican team.

The team did win over Adams State, a DII school, last week, 83-72. The Aggies led all the way, but it was not an entirely comfortable win. Coach Hooten’s interviews have been trying to lower expectations. I think the last two years of Aggie Men’s Basketball have already accomplished that. Jemel Jones led with 23 points and 9 rebounds. Cyr Malonga had 16 and Julius “Juice” Mims had 12. The team shot 40% overall and 33% on 3’s. They had 40 points in the paint.

New radio voice, Russ Langer, joined Anita Skipper on the radio broadcast, and they worked well together. He was friendly and professional and seemed to be an appropriate replacement for Jack Nixon. Russ was stumbling a bit on the multitude of ad reads for that first game, but tightened it up for tonight’s game. Seeing him in person, I noticed Russ is wearing a microphone headset, but actually holds the mic while talking into it.

That brings us up-to-date. I was already at the Pan-Am Center for the Aggie Women’s Basketball game before this one. I left my prime seat at center court, figuring a season ticket holder would have that seat. I went up to the concessions for dinner. I’ve been avoiding them all season, but for a free game, I figured I owed them something. UTEP was also playing a double header today, but the Women played in the morning and the Men played in the evening, so I couldn’t done this in El Paso.

For $16, I got a personal pizza and a Dr. Pepper. It was probably about as good a deal you’d get from them. The pizza was from Papa John’s and was cold and probably wouldn’t have been that great when it was warm. (And trying to choke it down before the game started didn’t help the taste.) I was lured to Papa John’s last weekend for a 50% off deal, which I didn’t get with my order. See you guys some day in the far future when I forget about this slight. The drink was at least large and lasted for the whole game.

Sitting down to eat the meal was a different matter. I thought I could just find a seat near the top row somewhere, but ushers were all there checking tickets. Completing a circuit around the concourse, I found one unguarded entrance and took a seat in the upper bowl in the front row. No problem, but I was a little nervous. This wasn’t like last year (11-14-24) when I was there with dad for a double header. (I didn’t invite him this time, since he could barely sit for the first game and we left before halftime in the second.)

It was maybe a disappointing crowd at 3,856. On the radio broadcast, Russ hoped for double (Anita said, “Triple.”) the crowd on Saturday for the game against the Lobos. (They also discussed their chili preferences in the pregame.) Everyone seemed to have a good time at the game, anyway (myself, included). The Highlands fan section may have left or moved. I saw them in the concourse, so they were probably somewhere inside. Their team came out in eye-catching (?) purple stripped pants. Unlike their Women’s team, these were a bunch of big guys, who looked like they’d give the Aggies a game.

The Sundancers joined the Cheerleaders for the game. The male Sundancer, who we saw at Football (10-2-25), was performing. I’ll give him credit, the guy was working it. It looked entirely inappropriate, but he was doing it. I’m having trouble imagining that the other Sundancers are really comfortable with this arrangement or that this was what they signed up for. (Let me add, this is completely different than the male Cheerleaders. Those are big guys, who hold up the girls one-handed, or smaller guys that do acrobatics.)

First Half

I was nearly sitting in total darkness in the upper bowl, so filling out a scorecard was a challenge. At least that’s my excuse this scorecard not adding up. I was 0 for 4 on scorecards for this evening. I was stuffing my face with cold pizza right up until tipoff.

Oddly, the Cowboys were in home whites for the game with the Aggies in crimson. Maybe the Cowboys packed the wrong uniforms. (It happens.) The NMH coaches were in nice suits, if not stylish. The Aggie coaches were in polos.

Anthony Wrzeszcz began the game for the Aggies with a 3. What does a Polish man give his wife on their wedding night that’s long and hard? His last name. Big man Malonga got a steal and Gabe Pickens was fouled and converted on his free throws. Jae’Coby Osborne stripped a ball away, but the Aggies lost it and NMH converted it into a jumper. It was 5-4 Aggies with 16’ left in the half.

Amusingly, the Aggies made a pass directly into the Highlands bench. NMH turned that into a bucket and took a 5-6 lead. Marcus Pierce added a 3 and the Aggies took a timeout, trailing 5-9 with 14’ left. Augustine Ekwe blocked a shot and got a bucket on the other end. Elijah Elliot put in a 3 and the Aggies were back up, 10-9 with 12’ left. The Aggies got another block taking us into another timeout. On the radio, they were running an Aggie Sports ad for the “Beer-ito,” the beer/burrito combo meal. If they could develop a beer-flavored burrito, they might really be on to something. (As if they could even keep a pizza warm.)

NMH went down inside and retook the lead, 10-11. Malonga made a rebound on a miss on a 3 and was fouled. The big guy (6’11”) missed both free throws. Anita did not approve, but laughed about it. The Aggies got a steal and a breakaway, but Cowboy Latavious Morris broke up the basket. Jayland Randall was fouled and made his free throws for a 12-11 Aggie lead with 8’ left. That ended a 4’ scoring drought.

Former AD Mario Moccia was here. I saw him shaking some hands in the stands and later sitting at courtside. He gave one of the little mop girls a hug when she came by him. Did he get season tickets as part of his dismissal? Glad to see that he’s still a fan. He may be collecting a lot of wishes that he was still AD from fans. From what I’m seeing this year from Aggie Sports, I wonder if the collapse happened because he was fired, or if he got lucky to be let go before he was blamed for this eventuality.

From the radio, the Aggies were only shooting 25% to this point and both teams were committing a lot of turnovers. NMH intercepted a pass. Ekwe came back and put down a jam after the Aggies nearly had two turnovers on the possession. It was 14-12 Aggies with 6’ left in the half. BJ Comer sank a 3 for Highlands and put them back up, 14-15. Jemel missed a jumper, got the rebound, and put it in. Anthony committed a foul, but NMH missed both of their free throws.

Jemel sank another jumper and the Aggies were back up, 18-15 with 5’ left. Jemel followed that with another jumper. The defense stepped up and forced a shot clock violation. On the other end, Anthony made a steal, a layup, and got the foul. 23-15 Aggies with 3’ left. In another timeout, the Cheerleaders gave away large Lorenzo’s pizzas. They probably weren’t warm either, but likely tasted much better. The section of ROTC cadets got one and seemed to be enjoying it.

Cowboy Dontae Walker made a layup off a nice pass to make it, 23-19 with 2’ left. Robert Dix then hit a 3 and closed the Aggie lead to 1 point. Jemel answered with a 3 right after. Dix went inside for another bucket, but Chris Terrell answered that with another 3. 29-24 Aggies as the half expired.

Halftime

There was no halftime show, other than an attractive woman below me in a cowboy hat and a tank top dancing on Dance Cam. I was reluctant to expose myself to leave my seat, but I needed to go to the bathroom after having half of that large Dr. Pepper. I also picked up some cinnamon roasted nuts on the way back. I was about on the same level with the suites, which were all occupied. The TV screens inside had another college basketball game on.

Second Half

Jemel found Malonga for a bucket and a free throw, which he made. (He must have heard Anita.) 32-24 Aggies. Jemel added a jumper to get it to a 10-point lead with 18’ left in the game. In the timeout, the broadcasters read a promo for the Harlem Globetrotters coming to town. They’d been promoting this since the beginning of the season. I finally listened to it and realized the game isn’t until April of next year. Me and Russ have both seen the team perform. (I saw them as a kid.)

Swish! Jemel sank a 3. Anita proclaimed it, “The Jemel Show!” 37-24 Aggies. Cowboy Ibrahima Sacko came back with a dunk. I had trouble recording this, since there wasn’t a #35 on the program. He’d gotten blood on his starting #7 jersey and had to change during the game. 37-26 Aggies with 17’ left. In the timeout, Twist Cam was on and this time, they got the music right and people were twisting in the stands.

Even with the lead, Coach Hooten was going crazy on the sidelines for the entire game. I swear I heard him a couple of times even in the upper bowl. (Okay, he might have come in over the announcers’ microphones.) One of his black assistant coaches was equally animated. I would not have been shocked if he’d broke off an N-word at the players. (Of course, I mean “nitwit.”)

Ekwe got a rebound and a putback. Jemel made an alley oop to Osborne. It was 41-30 Aggies with 15’ to go. In the timeout, there was a basketball contest for a fan to make a layup, a free throw, and a three-pointer before time expired. His last second 3 hit the rim. I’m not sure what he was playing for. NMH drew fouls on successive plays, but were only 2 of 4 on the free throws. Ekwe came back with a baby hook shot. Anita loved it. He also scored from underneath, along with Kyrese Mullen doing the same. It was 47-32 Aggies with 13’ left. It was the Aggies’ biggest lead.

Cowboy Trey Tate came out of a timeout with an eponymous 3. NMH got the ball right back and he took another that airballed. The crowd and the Band let him have it. Randall made an offensive rebound and Jemel got a jumper off it to make it, 49-35. NMH got free throws, but the Aggies fouled on the second attempt and Highlands got two more free throws.

Jemel made a running shot and was fouled on his next attempt. Nikk Williams fouled out on that. Morris made another 3 for Highlands and it was 53-45 with 9’ left. There were lots of fouls and the teams traded free throws. Ekwe grabbed a rebound and back the other way, Anthony drained another 3. Next trip, he dropped another and was fouled for the 4-point play and Morris fouled out. Anthony fell on his back on the foul in front of the Aggie bench. His teammates pounded on him there. That was the back-breaker. 62-46 Aggies with 7’ left.

Across the court, there was a little girl in red dress playing in the aisle. It was so cute. She was having a great time. Back on court, Ekwe and Anthony both picked up their fourth fouls and had to come out. Jemel was unaffected and his jumper swirled around the rim before falling in. It was that kind of night for him. The next three shots, two by the Aggies and one by the Cowboys, all missed. Malonga made a layup off a great pass by Pickens. 66-50 Aggies. Osborne cramped up after the play. He had to be carried off in a seated position by his teammates.

Johannes Kirsipuu came in for the Cowboys wearing key lime colored shoes and immediately hit a 3. 68-53 Aggies with 3’ left. Terrell made a steal and Randall was fouled, but missed both free throws. The crowd was thinning by now. Anthony went up and dunked one and Highlander Pierce hit a long 3 to end it. 74-58 Aggies was the final.

For Highlands, Robert Dix scored 12 points with 6 rebounds, Marcus Pierce had 12 points, BJ Comer had 9 points, and Ibrahima Sacko 4 points and 6 rebounds. They shot 42% with 14 second chance points, 22 points in the paint, and 18 points off turnovers.

Jemel Jones led the Aggies with 24 points. Anthony Wrzeszcz had 15 points, including 3 3’s. Cyr Malonga had 6 points and 5 rebounds with Augustine Ekwe dropping 10 points with 6 rebounds. The Aggies shot 51% and 35% on 3’s, which is good. 68% on free throws isn’t so good. They had 28 points in the paint, 19 fast break points, and 26 points off turnovers.

I was handed a free Whataburger coupon walking out the door. Well now, I’m glad I came. I’ll be using that this weekend. I didn’t have to wait too long for traffic to clear out. I listened to the postgame show in the parking lot. The Coach and Anita talked about missing Juice Mims. He was out for concussion protocols, but they hoped to have him back for Saturday’s big game against the Lobos.

Seriously, I did have a good time. Sitting for two games by myself wasn’t as arduous as I was afraid it might be. I’ll see if dad wants to go to either of the two Sunday afternoon games next month. Otherwise, this might be it for me and Men’s Basketball, except for listening on the radio. It’s hard to say how good the team is without seeing the full team, but they took care of business tonight. The Lobos may be a bit down after losing their coach after last season, but it should be a more serious test of the team.

NM State Aggies vs NM Highlands Cowgirls Women’s Basketball 11-11-25

 

There’s five Aggie Sporting events in the next six days that I was planning on going to, so I took the week off. That’s also all of the events I was planning to go to this month. I’ve also been sort of dreading tonight’s double header with Aggie Women’s and Men’s Basketball, but it’s been boring enough at home to this point that I’m good to go. Two back-to-back basketball games against DII opponents, New Mexico Highlands, might not be that entertaining. Worse, they could be very entertaining, which wouldn’t bode well for the rest of the season.

The ladies played their first official game against#18 USC last week. (I was at their exhibition before that.) We weren’t surprised by an 87-48 loss. However, Lucia Yenes did surprise us with a 27 point and 5 rebound performance. That led the team in both categories. Imani Warren had 11 points, but unfortunately that was almost all of scoring.

Emma Christiano had 4 assists, which was the team high. Coach Adams told a story about her on the Aggie Coaches Show. The team’s first game together was a trip with the Men into Mexico. Emma was crying after the game. The Coach asked her if she was okay. “Coach, these are happy tears.” Emma was just so happy to be an Aggie after growing up a fan.

I have a couple of not so heartwarming Aggie Sports stories. Aggie Football had another heartbreaking loss over the weekend to Kennesaw State. After giving up 24 points to start the game, the Aggie defense held the number one team in C-USA scoreless for two and half quarters. The offense went to work and got it to within 3 at the end of the game. Unfortunately a missed 50-yard goal ended the game. 24-21 Owls final. Kicker Ryan Hawk was also injured on that play is out for the next game.

(Odd note, the winless Sam Houston State Bearkats were on national TV on the CW playing Oregon State last weekend. LA Tech will be playing on there this weekend against Washington State. The “PAC-12” is desperate for opponents.)

Meanwhile, Aggie Softball Coach Kathy Rodolph and Associate Head Coach Cat Heifner left the program. They were here through the Fall exhibition schedule, which I now regret not going to. Coach Rodolph had expressed enthusiasm for new AD Joe Fields. This seems like a firing or a sudden sharp disagreement since the new season is just a few of months away. Assistant Coach Benet Higgs was promoted to Interim Head Coach, as there’s not enough time to do a search for a replacement. An ESPN article had no explanation. I’ll see if I can get more information. Good luck to Kathy and Cat. Though things had fallen off the last two seasons with the conference change, they did a great job here and are responsible for all of the success the Aggie Softball program has ever had.

I went to tonight’s game way early, anticipating traffic issues and wanting to get a decent parking spot. Inside the Pan-Am Center, I once again turned down a souvenir from the lovely Sydney McIntosh, former Aggie Volleyball player. I already had a rally towel. Some ROTC members were selling sweatshirts with the word, “Bastard” on them. I presume this had something to do with the Veteran’s Day Bataan Memorial Death March event from this morning in Las Cruces. Maybe? (The “Battling Bastards of Bataan” from WWII? They were a New Mexico National Guard unit.) I’m not actually sure they were selling them either.

I just missed the Aggies warming up on court, but a Flag Honor Guard was there. The Highlands Cowgirls came out and were enthusiastically greeted by a section of purple-clad Highlands fans. The team looked kind of short. They had one 6’1”, Adrianna Torrez, who was from Las Cruces. She gave a big, happy wave to her cheering fans in the crowd. The team was mostly from New Mexico with two international players. One was from New Zealand and a tall, pretty blonde, Jessie Ford, from England.

The team was rushed off the court for the Anthem. Even the Refs left. The Aggies were in the locker room. Happy Veteran’s Day. (For further insult, the Aggies were wearing camo warmup tops.) One of the refs looked like a grandma, but the fittest, hardest grandma ever. I wouldn’t mess with her. Coach Adams was wearing a jacket with “Aggies” written on the back in rhinestones. It was a good crowd at 1,238. A bunch of these fans were parents of some little cheerleader girls, who’d be performing at halftime. Mrs. Hubbard was again here, though still in a wheelchair.

I have to mention the music today. There was a cool remix of Van Halen’s Panama on the PA during warmups. On the way over on the radio, I heard two interesting remakes of more 80’s standards, Head over Heels and Don’t You Forget About Me. Regrettably, this is best modern music come up with: 80’s remakes.

First Quarter

I wasn’t even close on the scorecard for either team. Why did I bother? A lady did ask me if I was keeping score. Apparently not. The first play was a foul on Loes Rozing, but NMH missed both free throws. That was a bad sign for them. Imani scored the first points going off the glass. Anna Csenyi followed that with a 3. Kapolei Antielu (I think that’s an American Indian name) got the first Highlands points with a jumper. Kamalani Anitielu (I sense a relationship) intercepted a bad pass by Loes and converted on it for a jumper. Imani came right back with a steal and a layup. Lucia scored and drew a foul shot. It was 10-4 Aggies about 6’ left in the quarter.

Kamalani scored another NMH basket and the team briefly went to a full-court press. Emma came in after a tie up. She made an immediate assist to Imani and a made a steal and an assist to Anna for a layup. (Unfortunately, the official recap didn’t have assist stats.) It was 14-6 Aggies with 4’ left.

In a timeout, they introduced the “Say ‘Cheese!’ Cam” sponsored by a cheese company. Vets in the crowd were asked to stand up for a round of applause. Back to play, Imani made another steal and Morane Dossou found Lucia Lara for a layup. (I’m going to list Lucia Yenes as “Lucia” and Lucia Lara as “Lucia L.” I kept it straight in my notes, at least.)

Emma made another steal, but Morne was called for a charge going to the basket. Emma then took a hard foul and went to the floor. Unfortunately, she missed both free throws. Kamalani stripped Emma of the ball next, but went out and turned it over. Cowgirl Aspen Salazar then elbowed Emma to the court. There was confusion over the foul call. NMH took a foul shot, but it was waved off and didn’t count as the refs reconsidered. Highlands missed a long last second shot and got serenaded by the Band with “Airball!” It was 18-8 Aggies after 10 minutes of play.

Second Quarter

AD Fields was here. He circulated around the Pan-Am Center smiling and shaking hands. He mingled with the Highlands’ section amicably. On court, Loes intercepted a pass and got it to Iyana Beh for a layup. Lucia put in another layup after. Then there was a delay, as the refs got confused on possession. The crew was having some moments, but I’m not calling them out, because I don’t want Hard Grandma coming after me.

Imani and Aspen exchanged layups. Imani made a behind the head pass to Iyana for a layup. Someone lost a shoe on the play. I did not see any players with only one shoe. Was it a ref? Everyone saw something fly across the floor. 28-10 Aggies with 7’ left. In a timeout, Imani went to the Trainer’s table to get worked on, like in the exhibition game. I’m concerned about her health for the season. I noticed during almost any break when Emma was on the floor, she’d go over to the Coach for a discussion. Coach Adams said she was “Curious,” and wanted to keep learning.

NMH went on a run. Aspen hit a 3 and a steal led to a layup by Aniya Johnson. The teams traded turnovers on bad passes. Lucia made a jumper, but Kimora McClure came back with a coast-to-coast layup. Lucia answered with a 3. 33-19 Aggies with 4’ left.

After a bad pass by Iyana, Kimora hit a 3 to get it down to a 10-point Aggie lead with 3’ left. The Aggies took a timeout. Briefly on the video screen, they showed a preseason poll of C-USA Women’s Basketball teams. The Aggies were near the bottom and the graphic quickly disappeared. Imani came back in. Deavion Wilson was in and made a layup and Loes followed that with a layup. 38-26 Aggies with 1’ left. Emma got involved in a held ball tie up that nearly ended in a fight. I don’t think Highlands was happy with Emma’s transfer. It was 38-28 Aggies going into halftime.

Halftime

The Borderland Dance Group of little girl cheerleaders lined up and came down and performed on the court. A multitude of parents had their phones out and were calling down to their daughters. A group of ROTC cadets were introduced after the performance. Along with a group of ROTC from UNM, they had made a 200+ mile relay marathon run to Albuquerque to deliver the gameball to the Aggie/Lobo Football game. They’ve done this every year for the game.

Third Quarter

The crowd was slightly smaller after the little cheerleaders left, but it was still a good crowd. Emma made a jumper to start the quarter after a pair of Aggie misses. Emma smiled and waved to family (?) sitting on the sideline afterward. Cowgirl Adrianna made a steal on Imani. Lots of fouls were getting called. Lucia made a pair of free throws and it was 42-29 Aggies with 7’ left. The Aggies added to the lead with Imani finding Lucia for a layup. 48-31 Aggies.

Twist Cam was activated . . . with music by Cher? Where’s Chubby Checker? It’s hard to twist to Do You Believe in Life After Love? Back to play, Emma took a charge from Hailey Long, giving up 8” in height and likely over 50 lbs. in weight. Emma came up smiling and clapping her hands. In another timeout, Aggie Volleyball was in the Student Section and on Bongo Cam. Rilen Garcia was getting head-patted by her teammates. I didn’t realize they were here.

Loes accidently hit Emma in the face with the ball. Emma was taking some shots tonight. Though I wasn’t hit in the head, I was zoning out a bit and watching the Volleyball team. (I did see Maggie Lightheart in the concourse later and sighed wistfully.) Lucia L. made a shot and a foul shot with it. It was 58-38 Aggies with 10 minutes to go.

Fourth Quarter

Kamalani made a 3 to begin the quarter. Lucia made a rebound and made a basket right back. Hailey made a jumper. Kapiolani and Jessie got steals for Highlands. Keira Hudson, who had started, came back in and played with Emma, though I think they’re both point guards. Keira was fouled and made a couple of free throws. 62-43 Aggies with 7’ left in the game.

Lucia made a bucket and drew the foul and put an elbow into Jesse’s mouth. Jessie came right back with a bucket. Lucia got two more free throws and Jessie was fouled and missed hers. Kapiolani made a block on Kiera and Brynn Hargrove scored. The Highlands’ bench went wild. The Aggies weren’t too disturbed. Emma and Imani were on the bench and chatting and having a good time. After a NMH turnover, the Band piped up and said, “Go play soccer!” It was probably worth going to the game just for that taunt.

Highlands went on a 6-point run with about a minute left. The Aggies took a timeout, though it was 71-53 Aggies. During play, Emma and an assistant coach were yelling at the court. I don’t know what over or even if it was about the same thing. It was very passionate. Kiera got lots of free throw practice and ended up making 6 in the fourth quarter. The Men were waiting in the tunnel now for the game to end. Brynn and Loes traded 3’s before the end. Aggies win 78-61.

Kapolei Antielu led the Cowgirls with 12 points and 7 rebounds. Kimora McClure, Aspen Salazar, and Brynn Hargrove each had 9 points. They shot 32% overall with 30 points in the paint and 25 points off turnovers.

Lucia Yenes had another big game for the Aggie with 23 points. Imani Warren had 15 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists, and probably a couple of steals which weren’t listed in the stats. Anna Csenyi had 10 points and Roes Rozing had 9 points with 7 rebounds. The Aggies shot 52% overall, 30% on 3’s, and 85% on free throws. They had 52 points in the paint, 25 points on turnovers, and 18 fast break points.

In the game recap, the Coach credited Emma Cristiano with calming down the team when she came in. She also praised Lucia Lara, who had 10 rebounds in the game. I don’t know what this game means for the team for the rest of the season given the level competition they were playing against. They’ve got some potential, especially Lucia. I had no notes after the game. I was hustling out of my prime seat to go to the concessions and to find another seat for the Men’s game to follow.