Lauren's Lowdown Summer #2

Lauren's Lowdown Summer 13

Volleyball Parody NMSU Teams 2013

Lauren's Lowdown April 15

Lauren's Lowdown- Weekly video interview

My thoughts about spring so far after winning a championship...

This is my fourth spring in my college career, and I am happy to say it's  my last. It has already proven to be a challenge for myself and the other girls on the team. After winning a championship and making it to the NCAA tournament there is a much higher standard to up hold. Each and every girl has higher expectations for themselves as well as everyone else on the team. The workouts are challenging and designed to make us push ourselves to exhaustion, while also pushing our teammates to keep up with the person in the lead. As you can imagine this can be quite difficult, especially at 6am. This has already made us stronger physically and mentally as individuals, but it has also helped us become a stronger team unit. We all know going into each workout we're all doing it together, and no matter what we're going to make sure each and every one of us finishes. We also have individuals twice a week, which are going very well. We are all learning a lot and making huge strides in our progress. The atmosphere in the gym is much different now then it was in the fall. We are not just content to only win the conference tournament and make it to the NCAA tournament, we have raised the bar and want to win both the conference and conference tournament, as well as make it to the sweet sixteen. This is no easy task but with as many returners as we have, it is most definitely achievable. I am looking forward to next season, but first we have to make it through the rest of spring!

#1 Hannah Walker
Go Aggies!

My thoughts about making the NCAA tournament and the entire journey leading up to that..

This was my first time as well as majority of the team to make it to the NCAA tournament. For practice we did more film than usual to get ready for the first round. Going to play the home team in the first round was going to be hard and we all wanted to continue on so we knew preparation was serious. The NCAA tournament is like any other travel trip but at the same time different. We had never played that team before and for travelling we used a bus, which we do not normally do. I was nervous but extremely excited to be there and go to the next round. Since I have been here we have always ended second at the WAC tournament so winning was not only a huge accomplishment but opened a door to another opportunity to play. Throughout season we had ups and downs. We started very strong winning major games in the beginning of the year. Then through conference play, we had lulls that hurt us. As a team we get along great off the court and could not figure out why things did not mesh together on the court often. The WAC tournament was by far my favorite. We played great together and seemed to have a different flow. I think we may have taken teams by surprise since we did not play like that throughout the season. We showed excitement even when we were down to get back up. Taking Utah State who was the first seed in three was just incredible. I am hoping through spring we continue to work together and want to have a steady flow next year and show teams what we are like. It is in our future to go farther than the first round of the NCAA tournament!

#15 Stephanie Ziegler

NMSU Introductions

Hi Fans,

My name is Taylor Livoti.  I'm an incoming freshman from Houston, Tx.  Pre-season starts Wednesday and I couldn’t be more excited! Our team has so much potential to go far and now we have to put in some hard work to reach our goal of going to the NCAA tournament. So far with getting here early, I’ve already learned so much and we haven’t even had structured practices yet. Personally for me I have a lot to work on so I can’t wait to start practice and learn the Aggie way of playing and make a difference here at NMSU.

Go Aggies!  

                                     # 2 Taylor Livoti

My transition from high school and club volleyball to the collegiate level has been one to remember. The pace is a lot faster and everyone expects almost perfection from you, though it may be frustrating at times, it is only to better you in the long run. Failure is not option to anyone. A key thing that I mostly enjoy and that I found easy to get comfortable with is that all the girls are determined to get better at their weaknesses and the fact that they are not afraid to step out of their comfort zone. In addition, everyone pushes each other to the limit and does not allow any less than what is given to get finished. All of this excites me for season, can't wait for our first game. 

Go Aggies!

#13 Nathalie Castellanos

Hi Aggie Fans,  This 2012 Spring has been an experience in itself. Especially get up at at 5:30 on Mon., Wed., and Fri.. This spring is completely different from the 2011 Spring. The team this year definitely has a closer bond a drive to get better. The coaches are pushing us harder than ever. We want to win a title and so do they. Physically and mentally we have experienced things that we have not experienced before. We are also joined by to new players Sarah and Ciara, they are making a good impact to the team. There is also another possibility of an addition to the team, but I cant give to many details everyone will just have to come watch us play. This Spring has for sure brought change for the best, we as a team will be stronger physically and mentally. What doesn't kill us will make us angry and cranky at first but eventually makes us stronger.  Hope to see you all soon, next spring tournament is this Saturday at University of New Mexico.  We're hosting April 7 in Pan Am Center matches start at 8AM. #14 Desiree Scott

Transition from being a player to coach..... Everything my coaches ever said to me throughout my athletic career finally made sense!  Transitioning from a player to coach has been amazing experience thus far and I would expect it continue that way.  I have always considered myself to be a student of the game and now, being on the other side of the white lines, I have already expanded my volleyball knowledge tremendously.  I am so excited for the opportunity to be with the Aggies in the fall and share with the girls my knowledge of defense, serve recieve, and passion for winning I have acquired throughout my colliegate career here at NMSU.   Furthermore, I love working with the girls and seeing them transform into better players and young women on a day to day basis.  It is such a blessing to be a contributing part of thier success on and off the court.  I also feel so fortunante to be able to continue being apart of the girls lives as I truly do care for and love each and every one of them.   It is an extremely competitive atmosphere in the gym and offices as the coaching staff puts in countless hours and are constantly bouncing ideas off one another all in lue of better our programing and achieving our collective goals we have set for ourselves.  I am so blessed to be able to stand along side Mike, Kieth, and Tric, as a coach because I know I have so much to learn and gain from them!  They are an extraordinary bunch of individuals and want nothing more than to make NMSU the best program it can be.  GO AGGIES :)    Kelsi Phillips- Graduate Assistant Coach

Hi Aggie Fans!! Back for another spring and starting off strong. Having already completed 2 springs, this year has definitely been different. For starters, we began the first week of school. 5:50 in the gym when the sun was still asleep was difficult but now my daily alarm clock goes off at 5. Physically we’ve had to run outside on the hill, work in the pool and go through “marine” workouts with our coaches, and then go lift. Through every workout there are psychological struggles 1: complete the workouts to the best of my ability, 2: push not only myself but teammates and 3: learn the ability to get rid of distractions, like how cold it is or how my body feels.  All to make us better!! We knew these workouts would be tough, mentally and physically; because the winter workouts were so intense, we knew the spring would bring similar challenges. It has brought change in the best ways and I know we are getting tougher and stronger, mentally and physically!
#15 Stephanie Ziegler

Spring Season 12 New Mexico State Volleyball

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wAdOmT4HX0

Hello again Aggie Family,

I really can’t believe how fast these last few years has gone by. My college career has been such an amazing adventure and I am so very thankful I get to finish it at NMSU; it has been a wonderful experience. The girls that we have playing this spring are not only dedicated athletes, but wonderful people as well. We also have great talent coming in the fall, and I can’t wait to see what the future hold for us.

 This spring has already been tough but brilliant, we are working so hard and we all hold one another accountable to show up and give it our best everyday. Being an upper classmen and stepping into the leadership role is pretty electrifying. I want to set a good example for the younger girl on and off the court. I have always felt comfortable as a leader, but what I am most excited about is how magnificent all the girls are. Everyone is so dedicated, and we all have a common goal, which is so important in being successful.  I am excited to see how all of our hard work will pay off and how we will flourish and come together as a team.

GO AGGIES!!! #12 Madison Hardy

Hey Team Aggies, 

It’s Ciara Brown, an upcoming junior setter and transfer from VCU. I’m beginning NMSU this January and am really excited and honored to become a member of this prestigious volleyball program. When I decided to transfer universities, I looked for a winning volleyball program that is committed to obtaining excellence, coached by a coaching staff determined to help us reach this goal. The transfer process is very stressful and I visited multiple schools; however, after my visit to Las Cruces, I felt right at home, and knew that this was where I wanted to finish my collegiate career. 

Volleyball has been a major driving force for me since I was 10 years old.  I have been a member of the USA Team pipeline, competing in the international High Performance tournament since 2009. I have always pushed myself as an athlete and hope to use this work ethic, along with my international and collegiate experience to contribute to the Aggies in any way possible!

Team Aggies is my future and I know that God has brought me here for a reason. My fellow teammates and I have been working hard this break with our winter workouts and we are ready to begin the New Year right!! As a Floridian, I’m ready to make my move out West and join the Aggie Nation! See you soon Aggie Fans 

~#4 Ciara Brown

Seniors

Many athletes end their careers biding time and relishing the moment when it's all over.  They enter college as enthusiastic, exuberant and naive to the entire process of college volleyball, it's demanding, exhausting and exhilarating.  Our seniors have experienced manic highs, depressing lows and every emotion between the polar caps.  Their collegiate careers are over and they're moving on to the next phase of life.  I've been exposed to a small confined window of their time at New Mexico State.  I'm proud and pleased to say that I've had the opportunity to coach and know these  young ladies.  You've had great careers, represented yourself, your family, university and program with class and dignity.  There's no doubt in my mind you'll succeed in life.  Good luck ladies and stay in touch!

Go AGGIES!!! 

Hi Aggies,

My name is Stephanie Ziegler and I am redshirt sophomore this year. Through these last couple of years here at New Mexico State, I have had to overcome some difficulties. Early last season I broke my leg in a preseason tournament. That injury left me confused and sometimes even angry that it had occurred. I had never really been injured before so the world of rehab and physical therapy was extremely new. But watching from the bench last season and realizing that I was not going to be able to contribute made me even more determined to work hard to come back this season.      

As for this year, my goal was and still is, to help in any way I can for this team. Coming back to school in July I felt strong and ready to compete. I knew that the competition for a starting position was not going to be easy, so earning the starting role on the pin was awesome. It made all of the physical therapy and rehab worth it. Throughout this whole experience I have grown so much, but I have also learned the true meaning of a team. Without my team's support, or the staff that we have here at NMSU, I would not have been ready to come back. They have been with me from the beginning.  #15 Stephanie Ziegler