<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/" xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/" > <channel> <title>Volleyball Archives - The Utah Statesman</title> <atom:link href="https://usustatesman.com/category/sports/volleyball/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" /> <link>https://usustatesman.com/category/sports/volleyball/</link> <description>USU's Student Newspaper</description> <lastBuildDate>Fri, 17 Jan 2025 02:10:58 +0000</lastBuildDate> <language>en-US</language> <sy:updatePeriod> hourly </sy:updatePeriod> <sy:updateFrequency> 1 </sy:updateFrequency> <generator>https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.2</generator> <image> <url>https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/cropped-screen-shot-2017-10-19-at-4.33.29-pm-32x32.png</url> <title>Volleyball Archives - The Utah Statesman</title> <link>https://usustatesman.com/category/sports/volleyball/</link> <width>32</width> <height>32</height> </image> <item> <title>A timeline of the Jerry Bovee lawsuits</title> <link>https://usustatesman.com/a-timeline-of-the-jerry-bovee-lawsuits/</link> <comments>https://usustatesman.com/a-timeline-of-the-jerry-bovee-lawsuits/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Carson Frost]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Mon, 20 Jan 2025 13:02:53 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[All]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Basketball]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Cross Country]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Golf]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Gymnastics]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Men's Basketball]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Softball]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Tennis]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Track and Field]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Volleyball]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Women's Basketball]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Women's Soccer]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Diana Sabau]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Jerry Bovee]]></category> <category><![CDATA[lawsuits]]></category> <category><![CDATA[President of USU]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Signal]]></category> <category><![CDATA[timeline]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://usustatesman.com/?p=22133180</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>Six months ago, Utah State’s athletic department put out a press release announcing the simultaneous firing of head football coach…</p> <p>The post <a href="https://usustatesman.com/a-timeline-of-the-jerry-bovee-lawsuits/">A timeline of the Jerry Bovee lawsuits</a> appeared first on <a href="https://usustatesman.com">The Utah Statesman</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p class="p1">Six months ago, Utah State’s athletic department put out a press release announcing the simultaneous firing of head football coach Blake Anderson, deputy athletic director Jerry Bovee and football director of player development Austin Albrecht.</p> <p class="p2">All three of those fired in early July were accused in an official school news release of committing “violations of university policies related to the reporting of sexual and domestic violence and failures of professional responsibilities.” The accusations stemmed from an incident in April 2023 involving one of Anderson’s players and a female victim.</p> <p class="p2">In the days and weeks following the reports, the responses from the fired employees were notably distinct. Albrecht quietly stepped away from his position, while Anderson filed a lawsuit against the school, accusing USU of defamation and breach of contract and seeking $15 million in damages.</p> <p class="p2">On Jan. 3, after months of public dissent surrounding his departure, Bovee filed a lawsuit of his own, introducing new accusations that raise questions about the school’s adherence to public record laws.</p> <p class="p2">Below is a timeline of the events leading up to Bovee’s recent litigation.</p> <p class="p2"><strong>December 2024</strong></p> <p class="p2"><em>Dec. 20</em>: The Utah State grievance committee did not agree about Bovee’s termination, but USU Executive Vice President Larry Smith sided with the majority and upheld the decision, according to the Cache Valley Daily. “I have thoroughly read the Committee’s written summary, and I have given it the most serious consideration,” Smith wrote in the final decision. “I agree with the Committee’s ultimate findings and conclusions related to Mr. Bovee’s grievance. Where the Committee members were not in agreement, I side with the majority.”</p> <p class="p2"><strong>January 2025</strong></p> <p class="p2"><em>Jan. 3</em>: According to the Cache Valley Daily, Bovee officially sued USU, alleging his termination violated state law. This came a little over a month after Anderson’s suit, and Bovee sued for $300,000 in damages. Bovee said in his suit that his former superior Vice President and Director of Athletics Diana Sabau removed a number of job duties and undermined him, which led him to believe “she was trying to minimize his role and move him out of his position.” The suit also elaborated on Sabau’s toxic behavior that led Bovee and others to complain to Human Resources on multiple occasions. According to the complaint, Sabau once yelled at former executive associate athletics director for internal affairs Amy Crosbie and Bovee for hiring an assistant coach without asking for her approval. “Sabau’s conduct during this meeting was so abusive that Crosbie began to cry, which Sabau mocked,” the lawsuit states. Bovee also reasserted his claim that he was not given the option to resign in lieu of termination, a provision in USU Policy 311.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>After “abusive conduct, mistreatment, insults, and veiled threats to his employment” and recognizing the tense relationship between him and Sabau, Bovee offered to resign and allow her to hire her own staff, to which Sabau replied, “You will leave when I tell you to leave,” according to the lawsuit. The school once again defended their decision in a statement issued to Cache Valley Daily.</p> <p class="p2"><em>Jan. 8</em>: A new development arose in the Bovee suit battle, with Bovee alleging that top administration use private messaging apps. He stated in the lawsuit that administrators used the messaging app Signal frequently for conversations, which is said to be in violation of Utah’s Government Records Access & Management Act. According to the Salt Lake Tribune, the lawsuit states, “In March 2024, Ms. Sabau asked Mr. Bovee and other employees to download a messaging app called ‘Signal,’ which deletes communications at the end of each day, so that she could ‘have more candid conversations’ that could not be discovered in an open records request. Ms. Sabau also mentioned that she and the President of USU used it often.” Bovee also requested transcripts of Zoom meetings related to his grievance hearing in October, but USU denied his request, telling him the Zoom call recordings were only accessible by a computer controlled or owned by USU and it couldn’t separate the part of the file it considered private or protected.</p> <p class="p2">In a written statement addressed to The Utah Statesman on Jan. 13, the university said, “Utah State University stands by its employment decisions and disputes Mr. Bovee’s presentation of events. We look forward to resolving this case in litigation and continuing to focus on our student-athletes and the success of our athletics programs.”</p> <p class="p2">It seems the legal battles between USU’s athletic department and its former employees will continue for many months to come. Coupled with other recent controversies, such as the volleyball team’s lawsuit against the Mountain West Conference and the legal challenges following the school’s move to the Pac-12, the department has several lawsuits on its hands.</p> <p>The post <a href="https://usustatesman.com/a-timeline-of-the-jerry-bovee-lawsuits/">A timeline of the Jerry Bovee lawsuits</a> appeared first on <a href="https://usustatesman.com">The Utah Statesman</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://usustatesman.com/a-timeline-of-the-jerry-bovee-lawsuits/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Fall’s finishes: A semester of sports in review</title> <link>https://usustatesman.com/falls-finishes-a-semester-of-sports-in-review/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Carson Frost]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Mon, 09 Dec 2024 16:58:49 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[All]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Cross Country]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Football]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Volleyball]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Women's Soccer]]></category> <category><![CDATA[#USUFootball]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Aggie Athletics]]></category> <category><![CDATA[aggies]]></category> <category><![CDATA[all-Mountain West]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Artie Gulden]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Diamond]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Fall Sports]]></category> <category><![CDATA[FB]]></category> <category><![CDATA[football]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Manny Martins]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Mountain West]]></category> <category><![CDATA[nate dreiling]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Rob Neilson]]></category> <category><![CDATA[royals]]></category> <category><![CDATA[semester wrap-up]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Soc]]></category> <category><![CDATA[soccer]]></category> <category><![CDATA[USU]]></category> <category><![CDATA[USU Athletics]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Vb]]></category> <category><![CDATA[volleyball]]></category> <category><![CDATA[XC]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://usustatesman.com/?p=22132424</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>Aggie athletics has had a fall semester of trials and triumphs. The Utah Statesman has summed up each team’s season…</p> <p>The post <a href="https://usustatesman.com/falls-finishes-a-semester-of-sports-in-review/">Fall’s finishes: A semester of sports in review</a> appeared first on <a href="https://usustatesman.com">The Utah Statesman</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Aggie athletics has had a fall semester of trials and triumphs. The Utah Statesman has summed up each team’s season below.</p> <p><b><span data-contrast="auto">FOOTBALL</span></b><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><i><span data-contrast="auto">“Quitting is easy, and not one person in this locker room or building even thought about doing that.” -Head coach Nate Dreiling</span></i><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">The USU football team encountered unimaginable levels of adversity, and the results reflect that. After an internal investigation in July, the team dropped former head coach Blake Anderson. Later that month, tragedy struck when transfer defensive back Andre Seldon died in a cliff-diving accident. Amid heartbreak and uncertainty, 33-year-old Nate Dreiling was thrust into the interim head coach role just months after joining the coaching staff as a defensive coordinator. Heading into the season, the Aggies faced one of their most demanding schedules in recent history, taking on four teams that would be nationally ranked at some point during the year. By the end of the season, more than a dozen starters were out with injuries. The team faced every hurdle imaginable, yet the way the season ended wasn’t so bad — perhaps even admirable. The Aggies started the season 1-6, losing games left and right, but their 3-2 finish brought a renewed sense of pride to the team. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">“The ups and downs that we’ve been through — it has been a complete rollercoaster,” said quarterback Bryson Barnes. “It comes down to the locker room. These guys showing up to work each and every day.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">The Aggies defense was ranked fourth-worst in the country, giving up close to 38 points per game. ESPN columnist Ryan McGee, known for his humorous weekly rankings of the 10 worst teams in college football, included Utah State on the list in seven of the 13 weeks of the season. However, after a late-season surge, the Aggies climbed from one of the country’s worst teams to finishing ninth out of 12 teams in the Mountain West Conference. Dreiling couldn’t help but praise his team after the late-season turnaround.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">“The fact that this team was able to stay together is incredible,” Dreiling said. “And that has little to do with me. It has to do with this locker room and the senior class. And them wanting to prove people wrong.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <div id="attachment_22132360" style="width: 410px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-22132360" class="size-medium wp-image-22132360" src="https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/20241023-football-vs-sdsu-06-400x600.jpg" alt="" width="400" height="600" srcset="https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/20241023-football-vs-sdsu-06-400x600.jpg 400w, https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/20241023-football-vs-sdsu-06-666x1000.jpg 666w, https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/20241023-football-vs-sdsu-06-200x300.jpg 200w, https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/20241023-football-vs-sdsu-06-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/20241023-football-vs-sdsu-06-1365x2048.jpg 1365w, https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/20241023-football-vs-sdsu-06-335x503.jpg 335w, https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/20241023-football-vs-sdsu-06-1050x1576.jpg 1050w, https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/20241023-football-vs-sdsu-06.jpg 1666w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /><p id="caption-attachment-22132360" class="wp-caption-text">The Aggies line up on defense against the SDSU Aztecs at Maverik Stadium on Nov 23, 2024.</p></div> <p><b><span data-contrast="auto">WOMEN’S SOCCER</span></b><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><i><span data-contrast="auto">“It was a step forward but not a big enough step forward because we’re not advancing. But I think we’re moving in the right direction.” -Head coach Manny Martins.</span></i><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">The women’s soccer team was poised to become, if they weren’t already, the greatest team in the history of USU athletics. At one point during the season, they were ranked seventh in the nation, the highest ranking of any sports team in school history. The team set program records for wins, points, shutouts and shots on goal in a single season, ranking among the top 10 teams in the country in many of these categories. The Aggies were a juggernaut on both sides of the ball all season, and while a deep run in the NCAA tournament was a tall order, the team was confident they could defeat Washington in their first-ever home match in the tournament game. For much of the match, it seemed to be heading that way, as Utah State’s eight shots on goal greatly outnumbered Washington’s three. However, Washington’s defense held firm, and the game went to penalty kicks, where the moment’s pressure led to USU’s downfall. Emotions ran high in the postgame Aggie huddle. This year’s squad was heavily comprised of seniors and graduate students. Still, there were also young players, like sophomore midfielder Summer Diamond, who would benefit from the invaluable experience of playing at the highest level.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559737":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":276}"> </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">“Some of us got to play a lot, and that’s great to get this experience,” Diamond said. “It gives us a lot of excitement for these upcoming years.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">The younger players feel prepared to take on leadership roles, the incoming recruits look promising and Martins, who is highly admired by his players, received a three-year contract extension. There may be some growing pains next season due to player turnover, but the culture being built will hopefully yield long-term success.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <div id="attachment_22132443" style="width: 610px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-22132443" class="size-medium wp-image-22132443" src="https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/20241115_womenssoccer_ncaa-5-1-600x400.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="400" srcset="https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/20241115_womenssoccer_ncaa-5-1-600x400.jpg 600w, https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/20241115_womenssoccer_ncaa-5-1-1000x666.jpg 1000w, https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/20241115_womenssoccer_ncaa-5-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/20241115_womenssoccer_ncaa-5-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/20241115_womenssoccer_ncaa-5-1-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/20241115_womenssoccer_ncaa-5-1-335x223.jpg 335w, https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/20241115_womenssoccer_ncaa-5-1-1050x700.jpg 1050w" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px" /><p id="caption-attachment-22132443" class="wp-caption-text">Tess Werts (12) steals the ball from a Washington player at Chuck & Gloria Bell Soccer Field on Nov. 15.</p></div> <p><b><span data-contrast="auto">WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL</span></b></p> <p><i><span data-contrast="auto">“Sometimes competition breaks your heart. I am so proud of this group and their battle all season.” -Head coach Rob Neilson.</span></i><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">After a nail-biting 3-2 loss to Wyoming on Sept. 28, Neilson, though disappointed, remained determined to rally his team.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">“We’re getting lots of reps,” Neilson said following that loss. “We’ve got a lot of talent, but we’re just not putting it together in long enough stretches.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">Heading into the season, Neilson hoped to lead the Aggies to their fourth-straight Mountain West title. Still, his young roster, which included nine first-year players, needed more experience and composure than their conference counterparts. However, the matches following that late-September loss would mark a complete shift in momentum for the team’s season. They finished with a 12-6 record in conference play and a 15-14 overall record, delivering dominant performances along the way and reinvigorating the program. But their good fortune ran out in the first round of the Mountain West Women’s Volleyball Championship, where they lost 3-1 to Boise State, a team they had beaten handily in their two regular-season matchups. Although it was a less successful season than in recent years, Neilson couldn’t help but celebrate his team’s growth as the season progressed.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">“They’re starting to come into themselves and see how good they can be,” Neilson said. “There’s a sense of confidence. There’s not this frenetic energy.” </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">Their midseason turnaround came when off-court distractions could have derailed their season for good. In early October, the team announced they would be forfeiting an upcoming match against San Jose State University due to the Spartans having a transgender player on their team. The controversial decision proved divisive within the larger student body but was a galvanizing force within the Aggie locker room. Multiple players on the team were involved in a lawsuit against the Mountain West for allowing SJSU to compete in the tournament. Still, their focus remained on the court, leading the Aggies to finish the year more successful than many had expected.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559737":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":276}"> </span></p> <div id="attachment_22132437" style="width: 610px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-22132437" class="size-medium wp-image-22132437" src="https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/20241029_usuvnevada-vball-18-600x414.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="414" srcset="https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/20241029_usuvnevada-vball-18-600x414.jpg 600w, https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/20241029_usuvnevada-vball-18-1000x691.jpg 1000w, https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/20241029_usuvnevada-vball-18-300x207.jpg 300w, https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/20241029_usuvnevada-vball-18-335x231.jpg 335w, https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/20241029_usuvnevada-vball-18-1050x725.jpg 1050w, https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/20241029_usuvnevada-vball-18.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px" /><p id="caption-attachment-22132437" class="wp-caption-text">USU volleyball players celebrate a point at the game against University of Nevada on Oct. 29.</p></div> <p><b><span data-contrast="auto">CROSS COUNTRY</span></b><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><i><span data-contrast="auto">“I hope years down the road, they will be telling their families and kids stories about today and this year. I will remember them and this season forever.” -Director of track & field and cross country Artie Gulden. </span></i><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">For the past seven years, the men’s and women’s cross country teams have established themselves as two of the best programs in the nation. Since 2017, the men’s team has qualified for the NCAA championships five time, and the women’s team has qualified three times. The men had another opportunity to compete at the national competition this year. The team finished 22nd in the 10K team competition, and while the team had been nationally relevant all year, graduate student Camren Todd was the show’s star. Todd finished the competition in 25th place at 29:17.4, shortly after becoming the seventh All-American in program history.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">“Camren ran an incredible race,” said director of track & field and cross country Artie Gulden. “There have been a lot of ups and downs in his cross-country career, and to finish as an All-American is very special.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">Todd wasn’t the only Aggie to receive national acclaim. Junior Logan Garnica, whose older brother Caleb was an All-American runner in 2020, won the Elite 90 Award. Established by the NCAA, this prestigious honor recognizes individuals who reach the pinnacle of competition at the national championship level while also achieving the highest academic standards among their peers.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span><span data-contrast="auto">“Logan is a phenomenal student and athlete,” Gulden said. “I am grateful for everything he does — excelling in all walks of life.” </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">The women’s cross country team, along with the men, finished in sixth place at the Mountain West championships. At the NCAA Division I Mountain Regional Cross Country Championships, the women placed ninth in the 6K team competition. Senior Emma Thornley, who earned all-Mountain Region honors, finished in 22nd place with a time of 20:17.0, but the team unfortunately just missed the cut to compete in the NCAA championships.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">“I’m very proud of the women,” Gulden said. “Emma being all-region two years in a row is great. They had a really good season, and we will look to build from here.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-22132436" src="https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/screenshot-2024-12-05-at-6.15.48pm-600x377.png" alt="" width="600" height="377" srcset="https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/screenshot-2024-12-05-at-6.15.48pm-600x377.png 600w, https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/screenshot-2024-12-05-at-6.15.48pm-1000x628.png 1000w, https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/screenshot-2024-12-05-at-6.15.48pm-300x188.png 300w, https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/screenshot-2024-12-05-at-6.15.48pm-1536x964.png 1536w, https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/screenshot-2024-12-05-at-6.15.48pm-335x210.png 335w, https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/screenshot-2024-12-05-at-6.15.48pm-1050x659.png 1050w, https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/screenshot-2024-12-05-at-6.15.48pm.png 1698w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px" /></p> <p>The post <a href="https://usustatesman.com/falls-finishes-a-semester-of-sports-in-review/">Fall’s finishes: A semester of sports in review</a> appeared first on <a href="https://usustatesman.com">The Utah Statesman</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> </item> <item> <title>Bronco Mendenhall named as new head football coach</title> <link>https://usustatesman.com/bronco-mendenhall-named-as-footballs-new-head-coach/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Mark Greenwood]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Fri, 06 Dec 2024 16:44:18 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[2024 Graduate Features]]></category> <category><![CDATA[2024 Voter's Guide]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Aggie Blue Books]]></category> <category><![CDATA[All]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Arts & Entertainment]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Arts and Culture]]></category> 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<category><![CDATA[Sports Columns]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Statewide Campuses]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Student Government]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Student Life]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Tennis]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Track and Field]]></category> <category><![CDATA[UCMC]]></category> <category><![CDATA[USUSA elections]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Utah College Media Collaborative]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Volleyball]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Warren Miller]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Women's Soccer]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://usustatesman.com/?p=22132532</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>Utah State football announced Friday morning that former BYU, Virginia and New Mexico head coach Bronco Mendenhall will take over…</p> <p>The post <a href="https://usustatesman.com/bronco-mendenhall-named-as-footballs-new-head-coach/">Bronco Mendenhall named as new head football coach</a> appeared first on <a href="https://usustatesman.com">The Utah Statesman</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Utah State football announced Friday morning that former BYU, Virginia and New Mexico head coach Bronco Mendenhall will take over as the Aggies’ newest head football coach. The formal announcement comes after weeks of speculation over who would take over for USU after a turbulent season full of coaching unknowns. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Bronco is one of the most experienced coaches in college football. His leadership, proven record, and deep understanding of the game make him the ideal choice to elevate our program,” Utah State athletic director Diana Sabau said in a press release from the university. “Bronco’s success goes far beyond football. He has a profound connection and care for developing young men. His student-athletes are proven leaders, and he has consistently built programs that emphasize character, discipline, and excellence in every aspect of their lives.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Prior to the 2024 season, Utah State named Nate Dreiling, the defensive coordinator, as the interim head coach. At the time, Sabau said that Dreiling would have the opportunity to win the job and stay on as the head coach. After a slow start to the season, Sabau confirmed that a head coaching search had begun, and Mendenhall was rumored to be in the mix. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Mendenhall, a native of Alpine, Utah, comes to Logan with 18 years of head coaching experience including 11 years at in-state rival BYU, six years at Virginia and most recently one year at conference rival New Mexico. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Mendenhall has a proven record of winning while in the head coaching role. In his 11 years at BYU, Mendenhall’s Cougars were bowl-eligible in all 11 seasons, were ranked in the AP Top 25 seven times, and three times finished the year with an impressive 11-2 record. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Additionally, Mendenhall has plenty of experience turning around struggling programs. Mendenhall left BYU to be the head coach at UVA in 2016 after 11 straight winning seasons in Provo. At the time, the Cavaliers had posted a winning record in just one of their previous eight seasons. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In his first season with Virginia, his squad won just two games and lost ten. Mendenhall led his squad to bowl eligibility in each of the next three seasons, twice finding themselves ranked in the AP Top 25.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Most recently, Mendenhall has coached at New Mexico where they posted a 5-7 record in his lone season. While not enough to qualify as bowl-eligible, those five wins are the most the Lobos have had since they won nine games in 2016. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Mendenhall comes to Logan with another opportunity to turn a program around, though the situation at USU is not quite as drastic as his previous locations. Utah State football has appeared in a bowl game in 13 of their last 15 seasons prior to the 2024 campaign. This includes three AP Top 25 rankings, a Mountain West Championship in 2021 and a WAC Championship in 2012. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Utah State turns to Mendenhall after the dismissal of former head coach Blake Anderson in July and a 4-8 2024 season led by Dreiling as the interim head coach and defensive coordinator. Mendenhall has proven experience in this area and claims to be up to the task once again. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“My passion is developing young people and transforming football programs to reach their full potential,” Mendenhall said in a university press release. “Utah State provides a great opportunity to do both and allows a family focus that is essential to me and Holly. We look forward to adding to Utah State’s rich tradition and striving for football excellence.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It is unclear whether Mendenhall will retain the current USU coaching staff, most notably offensive coordinator Kyle Cefalo and Dreiling as defensive coordinator. Utah State is expected to introduce Mendenhall at a formal press conference sometime in the near future. </span></p> <p>The post <a href="https://usustatesman.com/bronco-mendenhall-named-as-footballs-new-head-coach/">Bronco Mendenhall named as new head football coach</a> appeared first on <a href="https://usustatesman.com">The Utah Statesman</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> </item> <item> <title>USU files a motion to join lawsuit against the Mountain West</title> <link>https://usustatesman.com/usu-files-a-motion-to-join-lawsuit-against-the-mountain-west/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Ashley Dorius]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Fri, 22 Nov 2024 21:55:41 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[All]]></category> <category><![CDATA[News]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Politics]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category> <category><![CDATA[State]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Volleyball]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Blaire Fleming]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Diana Sabau]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Head Coach Rob Neilson]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Kaylie Ray]]></category> <category><![CDATA[lawsuit]]></category> <category><![CDATA[motion]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Mountain West]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Mountain West Championship]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Rob Neilson]]></category> <category><![CDATA[SJSU]]></category> <category><![CDATA[sports]]></category> <category><![CDATA[USU lawsuit]]></category> <category><![CDATA[USU volleyball]]></category> <category><![CDATA[volleyball]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://usustatesman.com/?p=22132304</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>Utah State University filed a motion to join a lawsuit against San Jose State University and the Mountain West Conference…</p> <p>The post <a href="https://usustatesman.com/usu-files-a-motion-to-join-lawsuit-against-the-mountain-west/">USU files a motion to join lawsuit against the Mountain West</a> appeared first on <a href="https://usustatesman.com">The Utah Statesman</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span data-contrast="auto">Utah State University filed a motion to join a lawsuit against San Jose State University and the Mountain West Conference on Monday, Nov.18. The lawsuit hopes to accomplish several directives regarding the upcoming Mountain West Volleyball Championship and claims that Mountain West allowing Blaire Fleming, a transgender player at San Jose, to play violated players’ Title IX and First Amendment rights.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><a href="https://utahnewsdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/USU-motion-to-intervene.pdf">USU’s Motion</a></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">As reported by </span><a href="https://www.outkick.com/sports/utah-state-petition-lawsuit-mountain-west-sjsu-transgender-volleyball-fleming"><span data-contrast="none">Outkick</span></a><span data-contrast="auto">, the lawsuit hopes to either disqualify Fleming from playing in the tournament, bar San Jose from the tournament and/or remove San Jose’s wins from forfeited games and the losses from the schools who forfeited from its records. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">These changes would significantly alter the team rankings and rearrange the tournament’s format. USU explained these possible shifts in their motion.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">“Teams with a better winning percentage receive higher seeds and the top two seeds get a bye for the first round of the tournament. Higher seeds and first round byes increase the chances that a team will win the three-day MWC tournament and the automatic entry into the NCAA tournament,” the motion stated. “As of right now, SJSU has a better winning percentage and will receive a higher tournament seed (and first round bye) solely because the MWC TPP awarded SJSU a win and punished USU with a loss for USU volleyball team’s decision not to play SJSU’s team.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">USU shared that the decision to forfeit the game could negatively impact USU and its funding. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">“Had USU somehow forced its team to play the match contrary to some team members’ concerns implicating USU’s Title IX obligations, USU would have risked violating Title IX’s provisions and losing federal funding,” the motion stated. “USU has a protected interest in ensuring its compliance with Title IX to maintain continued receipt of an important funding source to help further USU’s mission.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">The decision also hurts the volleyball program and its ability to compete, according to the motion filed. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">“Second, and regardless of the Title IX funding, USU’s volleyball program has been harmed by the application of the forfeiture provision of the TPP [Transgender Participation Policy] and will be further harmed if the policy is enforced during the MWC tournament,” the motion stated. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">They continued, saying that having the forfeited game listed as a loss hurt their ability to earn a higher seed and a better chance at competing in the NCAA tournament. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">USU, which hopes to participate in the lawsuit in a limited capacity, said its goal is to invalidate the Mountain West Transgender Participation Policy, rescind the TTP-imposed loss and prohibit “the TPP’s application at the MWC tournament.” They only listed Mountain West as the defendant in their motion, not SJSU. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">“Here, USU meets its minimal burden to show its interests may vary from Plaintiffs’ interests,” the motion said. “That’s readily apparent from the fact that Plaintiffs’ Complaint and PI Motion allege USU is part of the problem—suppressing volleyball members’ free speech rights—rather than part of the solution. USU disputes those allegations.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">Before USU filed to join, this 132-page lawsuit began with 12 women, including Kaylie Ray, a redshirt junior who plays for the USU volleyball team, teammates of Fleming’s and players from Wyoming, Boise State and Nevada. They claim that Fleming should be ineligible for play, as she was born male, and that allowing her to play fails to protect female athletes. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><a href="https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/slusser-et-al.-v.-mountain-west-conference-et-al-1.pdf">slusser-et-al.-v.-mountain-west-conference-et-al (1)</a></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">Ray also claimed in the suit that after Boise State forfeited their game against SJSU, USU volleyball head coach Rob Neilson “came into a film meeting and stated flatly and emphatically, ‘I don’t know how you guys feel about this, but we will be playing against San Jose State; Blaire is not that talented.’” </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">The lawsuit continued, stating, “[t]his statement by our coach really rubbed our team the wrong way. We were shocked that we had no say in the decision, nor were we asked if we thought competing against SJSU was fair or safe.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">The team then protested playing as Wyoming also canceled its game, and Ray said Neilson did not listen to them. The team eventually had a Zoom meeting with just the players, Athletic Director Diana Sabau and USU President Elizabeth Cantwell. In this meeting, Cantwell requested the players complete an anonymous survey regarding the SJSU match. After these surveys, it was announced that USU would not play SJSU. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">In their motion, USU said the majority of those surveyed were against playing the match, citing several reasons, including concerns of fairness, personal and political beliefs and worries regarding their safety. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">Ray also shared an experience in the lawsuit that she claims infringed on her right to free speech. She and several teammates wore t-shirts with “BOYcott” on them for their “Fun Friday” practice, wherein players could wear anything they’d like to practice. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">“It was a bonding thing and a statement of solidarity with all the women in the conference who are standing up against men taking women’s places in sport,” Ray said in the lawsuit. “We thought it would encourage our teammates and we wanted to demonstrate the pride we have in our entire team being willing to stand up for women’s rights.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">Ray and her teammates took a photo in the shirts at practice and posted it to social media. She said after the picture garnered lots of attention on the internet, she got in trouble with her coach. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <div id="attachment_22132306" style="width: 503px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-22132306" class="size-medium wp-image-22132306" src="https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/screenshot-2024-11-21-at-1.49.08pm-493x600.png" alt="" width="493" height="600" srcset="https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/screenshot-2024-11-21-at-1.49.08pm-493x600.png 493w, https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/screenshot-2024-11-21-at-1.49.08pm-246x300.png 246w, https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/screenshot-2024-11-21-at-1.49.08pm-335x408.png 335w, https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/screenshot-2024-11-21-at-1.49.08pm.png 688w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 493px) 100vw, 493px" /><p id="caption-attachment-22132306" class="wp-caption-text">PHOTO VIA The lawsuit.<br />The photo was posted to social media.</p></div> <p><span data-contrast="auto">“Later in the film room, the USU head coach, in front of the entire team, spoke sharply to Kaylie and another teammate who was also in the photo,” the lawsuit stated. “The USU Coach accused Ray of usurping the voice of the team and being ‘selfish’ for having the picture posted. The USU Coach told Ray this was a ‘hot button issue’ and that the USU players should avoid making any more public statements about this issue.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">Ray said she is now worried that USU personnel and the Mountain West will punish her by not allowing her to play if she shares her opinion. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">“[I] tried to stay positive as I reflect on the fact that even as we were trying to sacrifice for other women in the conference and for future generations of women, many around us were only concerned about the discomfort our stand was causing them and how it made them appear to others,” Ray said in the lawsuit. “They did not appear to care about standing up for us; they simply acted inconvenienced and put off by our decision to speak up for women.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">USU filed to join the lawsuit shortly after Utah Gov. Spencer Cox and Utah legislative members Mike Schultz, speaker of the Utah House of Representatives, and Stuart Adams, president of the Utah Senate, released a statement asking USU to intervene on Ray’s behalf.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">“Female athletes deserve the right to a safe playing field, fair competition and equal opportunities,” the press release said. “By intervening, Utah will send a clear message that these rights are non-negotiable. The NCAA, Mountain West Conference and other institutions across the nation have failed to take action, thereby undermining vital protections and putting female athletes at risk.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">Additionally, on Monday, several Congress members, including Utah’s Burgess Owens, John Curtis, Mike Lee, Celeste Maloy, Blake D. Moore and Mitt Romney, sent a letter to Gloria Nevarez, commissioner of the Mountain West Conference, asking to change the TPP.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-ccp-props="{}"><a href="https://www.risch.senate.gov/public/_cache/files/8/0/806a0a24-1b06-44ea-936a-0ff5c29c78cd/19DFA5BCDA2C53BFBCCF26B76BFCE6818F68550FF736DA40E4E7E24368486A27.11.18.24-letter-to-mountain-west-commissioner-nevarez.pdf">Letter from Congressmen</a></span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">“Recently, members of your conference have forfeited games, risking their competitive standings to ensure the safety of their female athletes,” the letter said. “The Mountain West Conference’s failure to prohibit biological males from competing in women’s sports is unfair to the women and girls who have worked tirelessly to compete at the collegiate level. We applaud the bravery of these female athletes and the universities in our home states for taking a stand to preserve Title IX when the Mountain West Conference would not.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">San Jose responded in an email to the Statesman’s request for a statement.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">“Our athletes all comply with NCAA and Mountain West Conference policies, and they are eligible to play under the rules of those organizations,” San Jose wrote. “We will continue to take measures to prioritize the health and safety of our students while they pursue their earned opportunities to compete.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">A USU spokesperson said the university had nothing to say regarding the lawsuit or USU’s motion to join it after several requests from The Utah Statesman earlier in the week.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">Students and faculty at USU have begun responding to the lawsuit. Steve Kent, a USU alumnus and staff member, created a petition on </span><a href="https://www.change.org/p/oppose-usu-s-actions-against-trans-athletes-and-against-all-women-athletes"><span data-contrast="none">Change.org</span></a><span data-contrast="auto">. On the petition’s webpage, Kent said this doesn’t reflect the viewpoint of the university but the viewpoints of several members of the campus community. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">“This official stance from the university does not reflect the views of all Aggies,” Kent wrote. “While the specifics of gender segregation and eligibility requirements in athletics are complex issues, we protest the actions of the university and Gov. Spencer Cox, who asked USU to join the lawsuit.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">He continued, explaining that this issue hurts all women, not just transgender women.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">“We stand in solidarity with transgender people, who are being targeted and will bear the most harm from these discriminatory actions,” Kent wrote. “But we also understand that harm will not be limited to trans women. Any political machinery built to target trans women will invariably be used to target cisgender women, as well.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">In the comment section left on the Change.org petition, several students and graduates shared their frustration and anger at USU for their participation and recent actions regarding the transgender community.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">“</span><span data-contrast="auto">I am a recent graduate of USU and try take what I learned there to make Cache Valley a better place. This is undermining the efforts of countless faculty, students and alumni that care about everyone in the Aggie community, and all residents of our beautiful valley,” wrote Landis, a commenter on the petition. “USU has a long way to go to protect and provide adequate care and support to all students, but especially trans students. This action sets them back even more.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">Another commenter named Crius shared their experience as a queer person on campus and their concerns.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">“Campus went from being a safe place to a space in which my presence felt unwelcome and ignored,” Crius wrote. “I worry for future people who consider USU, because this may not be a safe place for them. Even if the government is issuing new laws, USU should still make it a priority to include all people of all backgrounds and not erase non-normative voices from campus.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">At the time of publication, 287 verified signatures have been collected. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">This story will be updated as new information becomes available.</span></p> <p>The post <a href="https://usustatesman.com/usu-files-a-motion-to-join-lawsuit-against-the-mountain-west/">USU files a motion to join lawsuit against the Mountain West</a> appeared first on <a href="https://usustatesman.com">The Utah Statesman</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> </item> <item> <title>USU volleyball dominates in historic win against Nevada</title> <link>https://usustatesman.com/usu-volleyball-dominates-in-historic-win-against-nevada/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Carson Frost]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Wed, 30 Oct 2024 20:07:08 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[All]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Volleyball]]></category> <category><![CDATA[LGBT athetes]]></category> <category><![CDATA[lgbtq]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Nevada]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Riley Gaines]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Stiglic]]></category> <category><![CDATA[trans]]></category> <category><![CDATA[transgender athletes]]></category> <category><![CDATA[USU volleyball]]></category> <category><![CDATA[volleyball]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Wolfpack]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://usustatesman.com/?p=22131430</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>There was all kinds of fanfare Tuesday night when the USU volleyball team faced Nevada at the Wayne Estes Center:…</p> <p>The post <a href="https://usustatesman.com/usu-volleyball-dominates-in-historic-win-against-nevada/">USU volleyball dominates in historic win against Nevada</a> appeared first on <a href="https://usustatesman.com">The Utah Statesman</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">There was all kinds of fanfare Tuesday night when the USU volleyball team faced Nevada at the Wayne Estes Center: an energetic crowd, a pink-out for breast cancer awareness and shirts distributed by Riley Gaines in support of the Aggies’ recent forfeiture against San Jose State University over their stance on transgender athletes. The volleyball team has made headlines both on and off the court for various reasons in recent weeks, and that trend is likely to continue, given their recent hot streak.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Aggies dominated Tuesday’s match from start to finish, sweeping the Wolfpack 3-0 with a decisive combined score of 75-42—a performance that head coach Rob Neilson found particularly awe-inspiring.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“It was as complete a match as maybe we’ve ever played in my five years here,” Coach Neilson said. “We hit great. We defended them great. We blocked great. We served great, we passed great.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">USU not only delivered top-notch play but also displayed a newfound confidence and swagger, starkly contrasting their timidness in pressure situations earlier this season. Outside hitter Mara Štiglic was one of the most athletic, most powerfully striking players on the court, finishing with 11 kills and 3.5 blocks. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Štiglic has consistently been a key focal point in the Aggies’ attack this year, but the most striking improvement has been in her mental strength and assertiveness on offense. In Tuesday’s game, she was unapologetic, brash and unshakable, staring down her opponents and even wagging her finger at the Wolfpack after a huge rejection at the net.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“She plays fearlessly,” middle blocker Kelsey Watson said about Štiglic. “Every time the ball comes to her, she plays fearlessly, so I can brag about that.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Watson herself had an impressive showing, registering eight kills with a 0.583 hitting percentage and five blocks. The Aggies’ front line towered over the shorter Nevada team, which showed in the blocks category. USU recorded ten blocks in the match, while Nevada finished with only two.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">To put the Aggies’ exceptional offense into perspective, they hit 0.507 in the match, the first time they had had a hitting percentage of 0.500 or better since 1997.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I’m just really impressed with how our team’s growing,” Coach Neilson said. “It’s fun to see against a really good and aggressive and competitive Nevada team.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The result was strikingly different from Utah State’s previous matchup against Nevada on Oct. 15, which they lost 3-2. This victory, however, aligns more closely with their recent success. In their last eight matches, Utah State has a record of 6-2, with one loss to Nevada and the other due to their forfeiture against San Jose State.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Aggies will return to the court on Thursday in a rematch against Boise State. On Oct. 19, USU won 3-2 in Boise in a strong offensive showing, but Coach Neilson recognized that the challenge would be maintaining the level of intensity.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Offensively, we were really good in that match,” Coach Neilson said. “But they served us off the court, so can we find that rhythm again? It’s going to be important.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Considering the Broncos are among the top teams in the Mountain West standings, the Aggies must quickly move past this historic victory. They have only one day of rest before their next match. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">But Watson didn’t seem too concerned, even suggesting that the quick turnaround could benefit Utah State.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“The structure of playing Tuesday [then] Thursday is really exciting because you’re so locked in on one game, and then you immediately have to turn around and work on Boise,” Watson said. “The biggest thing is just staying locked in with what we’re doing, and if we know what our roles are on the court, then we can figure it out.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Staying locked in will be the Aggies’ priority as they inch closer to the conference tournament, so the off-court distractions will have to be dealt with at a later time.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Coach Neilson acknowledged the shirts worn by fans in support of Utah State’s recent boycott but aimed to move past the controversy. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“We’ve taken our stand in certain ways and feel a lot of compassion for people involved on every side,” Coach Neilson said. “[We’re] trying to navigate our way through some tricky situations and do our best to keep our group focused on what we can control.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In a press release issued on Oct. 29 before the game, over 30 members of the Utah House of Representatives voiced their support for the recent forfeit against San Jose and shared they would be in attendance at the game last night. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Tonight, members of the Utah House of Representatives will stand up for and support women’s sports by attending the Utah State University Women’s Volleyball match against the University of Nevada,” the representatives wrote in the press release. “We commend and stand with the young women in our state, refusing to compete where their rights to equal opportunity and a safe and level playing field are being violated. We are grateful for our University administrators who stood beside our women athletes.”</span></p> <p>The post <a href="https://usustatesman.com/usu-volleyball-dominates-in-historic-win-against-nevada/">USU volleyball dominates in historic win against Nevada</a> appeared first on <a href="https://usustatesman.com">The Utah Statesman</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> </item> <item> <title>USU Volleyball forfeiture and response</title> <link>https://usustatesman.com/usu-volleyball-forfeiture-and-response/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Carson Frost]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Mon, 28 Oct 2024 12:45:52 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[All]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Volleyball]]></category> <category><![CDATA[backlash]]></category> <category><![CDATA[governor]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Governor Cox]]></category> <category><![CDATA[lgbtq+]]></category> <category><![CDATA[lqbtq]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Riley Gaines]]></category> <category><![CDATA[student responses]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Trans athletes]]></category> <category><![CDATA[USU volleyball]]></category> <category><![CDATA[volleyball]]></category> <category><![CDATA[volleyball forfeiture]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://usustatesman.com/?p=22131288</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>The Utah State volleyball team announced Oct. 2 they would not participate in a match against San Jose State scheduled…</p> <p>The post <a href="https://usustatesman.com/usu-volleyball-forfeiture-and-response/">USU Volleyball forfeiture and response</a> appeared first on <a href="https://usustatesman.com">The Utah Statesman</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p class="p1"><span class="s1">T</span><span class="s1">he Utah State volleyball team announced Oct. 2 they would not participate in a match against San Jose State scheduled Oct. 23, sparking a nationwide debate. </span></p> <p class="p2"><span class="s1">“The University will abide by Mountain West Conference policy regarding how this match is recorded,” the team wrote in a statement.</span></p> <p class="p2"><span class="s1">The game was recorded as an Aggies loss by forfeit. They joined Southern Utah, Boise State and Wyoming as the fourth team to forfeit a match with SJSU.</span></p> <p class="p2"><span class="s1">No reason was given by the university as to why the game was canceled, but it is presumed to be due to the Spartans having transgender athlete Blaire Fleming on their roster.</span></p> <p class="p2"><span class="s1">Fleming, a 6-foot-1 outside hitter, has helped lead the Spartans to a 10-3 start this season. She is currently first on the team, with 188 kills and 221 points. </span></p> <p class="p2"><span class="s1">Utah Gov. Spencer J. Cox applauded the school for its decision in a tweet.</span></p> <p class="p2"><span class="s1">“It is essential that we preserve a space for women to compete fairly and safely,” Cox said. “Our female athletes are left grappling with this difficult issue because the NCAA has failed in its responsibility to protect female athletes and women’s sports.” </span></p> <p class="p2"><span class="s1">Utah House Speaker Mike Schultz echoed his support, reacting to the news in a post on X.</span></p> <p class="p2"><span class="s1">“To the Utah State and Southern Utah Women Volleyball teams: We stand behind you and are cheering you on!” Schultz wrote. “Thank you for standing up for not only yourselves, but for women across the country – current and future generations!”</span></p> <p class="p2"><span class="s1">In March of this year, the Independent Council on Women’s Sports filed a lawsuit against the NCAA over the allowance of transgender women in sports. Fleming’s teammate and SJSU co-captain Brooke Slusser has joined in on the ongoing suit.</span></p> <p class="p2"><span class="s1">“Slusser decides terrorizing practices and games in which a man is smashing volleyballs into the faces and bodies of young women at speeds of over 80 mph and making a mockery of fair competition,” ICONS said in a letter via Outkick.</span></p> <p class="p2"><span class="s1">Riley Gaines, former swimmer at the University of Kentucky and current political activist, voiced her approval of the university’s decision. Gaines’s activism began when she protested against sharing a locker with her transgender teammate Lia Thomas. Thomas became the first openly transgender woman champion in NCAA history after winning the 500-yard freestyle in 2022.</span></p> <p class="p2"><span class="s1">Gaines visited the USU volleyball team on Oct. 9 and delivered custom-made “Medals of Courage” to the players for their decision.</span></p> <p class="p2"><span class="s1">“I was able to spend some time with some of the Utah State women’s volleyball team that chose to forfeit their match against SJSU due to a man being permitted to play,” Gaines posted on X. “This type of leadership takes immense courage. BRAVO.” </span></p> <p class="p2"><span class="s1">Multiple Aggie players expressed their gratitude for Gaines’s support. </span></p> <p class="p2"><span class="s1">“Riley is an icon in this movement and to have her support is so surreal,” redshirt junior Kaylie Ray said via Outkick. “She has instilled us with this confidence we are doing the right thing and has gifted us the courage to keep standing up for the things we believe in. It’s never wrong to do the right thing.”</span></p> <p class="p2"><span class="s1">First-year player Kaylie Kofe also spoke with Outkick, echoing her teammate’s sentiments.</span></p> <p class="p2"><span class="s1">“Hearing [Riley] say how proud she was of us and instilling confidence in our decision to stand up for what is right really gave me comfort,” Kofe said. “There’s a lot of hate going around, but after talking to Riley, I can’t help but be proud of myself and my team for contributing and helping make a difference in this world.”</span></p> <p class="p2"><span class="s1">Utah State has received backlash for their decision, with many feeling that the forfeiture promotes discrimination.</span></p> <p class="p2"><span class="s1">“We are disappointed by the recent decision of Utah State University to cancel their volleyball match with San Jose State due to the participation of a transgender woman athlete,” the Utah Pride Center said in a statement. “We expect more out of our state’s institutions of higher learning, and consider positions like these uninformed and highly uneducated. Transgender athletes, like all athletes, deserve the right to compete in the sports they love, without fear of exclusion or discrimination.”</span></p> <p class="p2"><span class="s1">Several Utah State students have also spoken out in disagreement with the forfeiture. In a public Instagram post, Samson Calderón Diltz called for students to email university officials to protest the forfeiture. He later shared a response from Amanda DeRito, associate vice president of university marketing & communications. </span></p> <p class="p2"><span class="s1">“USU doesn’t care about inclusion,” Calderón Diltz wrote. “Now they’re about neutrality. And they’re breaking neutrality by forfeiting this game. If they were truly open to learning and evolving they would actually listen to their transgender students. USU has shown time and time again they do not care for their minority students.”</span></p> <p class="p2"><span class="s1">On Oct. 17, a group of staff submitted a letter to The Statesman in protest to the university’s decision. </span></p> <p class="p2"><span class="s1">“As Aggie sports fans, we stand in solidarity with all women athletes,” the signatories wrote. “There is no evidence that trans women athletes have an advantage over cisgender women athletes and, in fact, the range of athletic ability among trans women parallels the range found in cis women. In other words, trans women earn their spots on their teams the same way cis women do.”</span></p> <p class="p2"><span class="s1">The signatories made note of the fact that USU had already played SJSU four times in 2022 and 2023, all while Fleming was on the roster. They also cited a 2021 survey conducted by human rights organization GLSEN that found that transgender kids are more likely to face hostile schooling environments.</span></p> <p class="p2"><span class="s1">In a written statement, SJSU spokesperson Michelle Smith McDonald said that university police are providing security for the team at home and road games.</span></p> <p class="p2"><span class="s1">“It is disappointing that our SJSU student-athletes are being denied opportunities to compete,” wrote Smith McDonald. “We are committed to supporting our student-athletes through these challenges and in their ability to compete in an inclusive, fair, safe and respectful environment.”</span></p> <p class="p2"><span class="s1">At the time of writing, the Aggies volleyball team currently has a record of 8-11.</span></p> <p>The post <a href="https://usustatesman.com/usu-volleyball-forfeiture-and-response/">USU Volleyball forfeiture and response</a> appeared first on <a href="https://usustatesman.com">The Utah Statesman</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> </item> <item> <title>Aggie Volleyball Wins!</title> <link>https://usustatesman.com/aggie-volleyball-wins/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Wyatt Merchant]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Sun, 27 Oct 2024 08:22:01 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Fall Sports]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Volleyball]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Aggie Volleyball]]></category> <category><![CDATA[USU volleyball]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Utah State Volleyball]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://usustatesman.com/?p=22131353</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>USU Woman’s Volleyball beats Fresno State, 3-0!</p> <p>The post <a href="https://usustatesman.com/aggie-volleyball-wins/">Aggie Volleyball Wins!</a> appeared first on <a href="https://usustatesman.com">The Utah Statesman</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>USU Woman’s Volleyball beats Fresno State, 3-0!</p> <p>The post <a href="https://usustatesman.com/aggie-volleyball-wins/">Aggie Volleyball Wins!</a> appeared first on <a href="https://usustatesman.com">The Utah Statesman</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> </item> <item> <title>Letter to the Editor: Aggie sports fans speak out against volleyball forfeiture</title> <link>https://usustatesman.com/letter-to-the-editor-aggie-sports-fans-speak-out-against-volleyball-forfeiture/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Statesman Editor]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Fri, 18 Oct 2024 02:10:24 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[All]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Letters to Editor]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Letters to the Editor]]></category> <category><![CDATA[News]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Online Exclusive]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Volleyball]]></category> <category><![CDATA[letter to the editor]]></category> <category><![CDATA[lgbtq]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Trans athletes]]></category> <category><![CDATA[volleyball]]></category> <category><![CDATA[volleyball forfeiture]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://usustatesman.com/?p=22131116</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>On Oct. 23, Utah State University will forfeit its volleyball match against San Jose State University. While no explicit reason…</p> <p>The post <a href="https://usustatesman.com/letter-to-the-editor-aggie-sports-fans-speak-out-against-volleyball-forfeiture/">Letter to the Editor: Aggie sports fans speak out against volleyball forfeiture</a> appeared first on <a href="https://usustatesman.com">The Utah Statesman</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>On Oct. 23, Utah State University will <a href="https://www.usu.edu/today/story/university-announces-volleyball-schedule-update">forfeit</a> its volleyball match against San Jose State University. While no explicit reason was included in its public statement, USU was among a group of schools that forfeited games with this particular team, presumably because of a player who had been <a href="https://www.mercurynews.com/2024/10/06/how-san-jose-state-volleyball-players-and-parents-are-grappling-with-transgender-player-controversy/amp/">identified by outsiders as transgender and who is at the center of a lawsuit. </a> USU played this same team with this player on the roster <a href="https://utahstateaggies.com/sports/womens-volleyball/opponent-history/san-jose-state/92">four </a>times in 2022 and 2023. The targeting of San Jose State is disruptive to all the players on all teams in the Mountain West.</p> <p>As Aggie sports fans, we stand in solidarity with <em>all</em> women athletes. There is <a href="https://cces.ca/transgender-women-athletes-and-elite-sport-scientific-review">no evidence</a> that trans women athletes have an advantage over cisgender women athletes and, in fact, the range of athletic ability among trans women parallels the range found in cis women. In other words, trans women earn their spots on their teams the same way cis women do. The NCAA has long regulated any kind of performance-enhancing drugs, including for male athletes, and the <a href="https://www.ncaa.org/sports/2022/1/27/transgender-participation-policy.aspx">NCAA already requires trans athletes</a> to complete multiple rounds of scrutiny—including lab tests evaluating the amount of testosterone in an athlete’s body—before they are approved to play. Current NCAA rules allow each sport to determine eligibility, given the different physical demands and skill sets in each activity.</p> <p>As sports fans, we believe that all athletes deserve to play, and we worry about the harm to our students. Nationally, trans kids are more likely <a href="https://www.glsen.org/sites/default/files/2022-10/NSCS-2021-Executive_Summary-EN.pdf">to face hostile schooling environments</a> and are less likely to attend school, graduate, and be successful. The trends in Utah are even more frightening; last month, a <a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2024/09/25/nx-s1-5127347/more-trans-teens-attempted-suicide-after-states-passed-anti-trans-laws-a-study-shows">national study</a> established a causal link between anti-trans laws and suicide attempts among trans youth. One way to counteract this harm is to expand opportunities for young trans athletes to participate in sports. Participation in sports builds confidence and character and reduces anxiety, depression and suicide.</p> <p>Efforts to ban trans women from playing sports are rooted in <a href="https://www.aclu.org/news/lgbtq-rights/four-myths-about-trans-athletes-debunked">false beliefs</a> that these athletes are not real women—the same beliefs that fuel an epidemic of violence against trans women, particularly trans women of color. We know well the history of Title IX and the long and hard fight women athletes have fought – and continue to fight – to gain equity in sports. Team forfeitures based on the identity of players on an opposing team have a history of leading to exclusion and discrimination, as was the case in the 1950s and 1960s with similar race-based decisions. Equity in sports can only happen when athletes are not subject to discrimination.</p> <p>We call on USU to implement and follow its own proposed Transgender Athlete Policy. We ask other teams in the Mountain West Conference to develop fair and humane policies that recognize the dignity of all athletes. Our students deserve nothing less.</p> <p>Signed,</p> <p>Aggie Sports Fans</p> <p><u>Signatories: </u></p> <p>Tammy Proctor</p> <p>Alison Cook</p> <p>Tim Curran</p> <p>Avery Edenfield</p> <p>Christy Glass</p> <p>Jess Lucero</p> <p>Guadaloupe Marquez-Velarde</p> <p>Mollie Murphy</p> <p>Mario Suarez</p> <p>The post <a href="https://usustatesman.com/letter-to-the-editor-aggie-sports-fans-speak-out-against-volleyball-forfeiture/">Letter to the Editor: Aggie sports fans speak out against volleyball forfeiture</a> appeared first on <a href="https://usustatesman.com">The Utah Statesman</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> </item> <item> <title>Aggies Triumph in 3-1 Win Against New Mexico</title> <link>https://usustatesman.com/aggies-triumph-in-3-1-win-against-new-mexico/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Gabriella Kozic]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Tue, 15 Oct 2024 21:34:20 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[All]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Volleyball]]></category> <category><![CDATA[HURD]]></category> <category><![CDATA[volleyball]]></category> <category><![CDATA[vollyball]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://usustatesman.com/?p=22131056</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>On Thursday night, Utah State Women’s volleyball delivered an exhilarating 3-1 win over New Mexico, fueled by critical performances from…</p> <p>The post <a href="https://usustatesman.com/aggies-triumph-in-3-1-win-against-new-mexico/">Aggies Triumph in 3-1 Win Against New Mexico</a> appeared first on <a href="https://usustatesman.com">The Utah Statesman</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span data-contrast="auto">On Thursday night, Utah State Women’s volleyball delivered an exhilarating 3-1 win over New </span><span data-contrast="auto">Mexico, fueled by critical performances from several players and a rowdy crowd at Wayne Estes Center. Despite what the final says, the Aggies showcased resilience by battling through deficits and clutch moments to secure the victory.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">“We got quiet, got a little nervous, got a little kind of internal. That’s the battle for young players,” head coach Rob Neilson said. “[It was] so fun to go through that and then come out on the other side. That’s really big. There’s so much for us to learn, and we’re learning.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">The match opened with a tight first set, as the Aggies and Lobos traded points until Utah State pulled away 26-24. In the second set, Utah State found another gear, riding efficient serving and aggressive hitting to a 25-15 win.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">“We wanted to serve them tough,” Neilson said. “I didn’t think we served them tough enough in the first and got going in the second.” </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">First-year outside hitter Mara Stiglic led the charge with a game-high 16 kills, accounting for 18.5 points. “She’s the real deal,” Neilson said. “She’s just going to get better and better.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">With the help of solid blocks and fierce attacks, New Mexico roared back in the third set, racing out to a 10-point lead. The Aggies fought back to tie the score at 24, sending the set into extra points. Despite their best efforts, Utah State narrowly lost 31-29.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="fIS8zzPVfn"><p><a href="https://usustatesman.com/womens-volleyball-takes-down-new-mexico-in-3-1-victory/">Women’s Volleyball Takes Down New Mexico in 3-1 Victory</a></p></blockquote> <p><iframe loading="lazy" class="wp-embedded-content" sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" title="“Women’s Volleyball Takes Down New Mexico in 3-1 Victory” — The Utah Statesman" src="https://usustatesman.com/womens-volleyball-takes-down-new-mexico-in-3-1-victory/embed/#?secret=SLT4tdxbmQ#?secret=fIS8zzPVfn" data-secret="fIS8zzPVfn" width="600" height="338" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">Redshirt third-year Kaylie Ray admitted it was tough to regroup after the emotional third-set loss.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">“It’s tough to lose the ball on a challenge, and coming back, you feel a little defeated. You feel like that set kind of got away from you,” Ray said.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">The fourth set was a rollercoaster. The Aggies trailed by seven points, but strategic substitutions and timely plays turned the tide. Loryn Helgesen and Kaylie Ray came off the bench, providing a spark with crucial kills and blocks. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">“Putting K. Ray in that spot was really what turned the match for us … She’s so good under pressure, and we’ll definitely be seeing more of her,” Neilson said. About Loryn Helgesen’s performance, Neilson said, “[She] comes off the bench and plays phenomenal, stuffs a bunch of balls, hits with range, hits with power, really challenges teams, and so future’s brighter with that kid.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">Ray also highlighted the importance of mental focus.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">“I think it’s just a matter of trusting your training. Like, we know what we need to do to execute, and it’s just going back, taking a deep breath, like ‘I know how to put this ball away,’ you know, and instilling that confidence in everyone,” Ray said. “Because when everybody’s confident and firing at the same time, we’re really an unstoppable team.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">As the final points drew near, Stiglic and Ray delivered back-to-back kills, igniting the crowd. The gym was electric as the Aggies closed out the set 25-23, sealing the match.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">The atmosphere in the Wayne Estes Center played a critical role in the Aggies’ performance.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">“I love playing in Club Estes. There’s truly no place like it. I love it when the HURD is on top and just screaming and going crazy for us,” Ray said. “You can feel during long rallies, like, the gym just holds its breath, and when we score — the energy that is let out, it just lifts us all up as a team, and there’s no place like it.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">With this win, Utah State continues to build momentum and confidence heading deeper into Mountain West play.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">“We’ve got so many weapons all over the court, and we really are putting it together,” Ray said.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">Kendel Thompson, second year, also emphasized the team’s growth.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">“I think we’ve gained a lot more confidence this season,” Thompson said. “Being very young, we’ve come in, and I think all these girls have really worked hard. We worked hard in practice. And being able to show that and prove that in games has been great.”</span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">With that win, Utah State extended its winning streak to three, which they continued in their game against Air Force. They play next tonight in Reno against Nevada and will play their next home game Oct. 29 against Nevada.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p>The post <a href="https://usustatesman.com/aggies-triumph-in-3-1-win-against-new-mexico/">Aggies Triumph in 3-1 Win Against New Mexico</a> appeared first on <a href="https://usustatesman.com">The Utah Statesman</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> </item> <item> <title>Women’s Volleyball Takes Down New Mexico in 3-1 Victory</title> <link>https://usustatesman.com/womens-volleyball-takes-down-new-mexico-in-3-1-victory/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Dane Johnson]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Sat, 12 Oct 2024 20:25:52 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Gallery]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Volleyball]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Aggie Volleyball]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Mountain West]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Mountain west volleyball]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://usustatesman.com/?p=22130959</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>The USU Women’s Volleyball team emerged victorious with a 3-1 win over the New Mexico Lobos in their match in…</p> <p>The post <a href="https://usustatesman.com/womens-volleyball-takes-down-new-mexico-in-3-1-victory/">Women’s Volleyball Takes Down New Mexico in 3-1 Victory</a> appeared first on <a href="https://usustatesman.com">The Utah Statesman</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The USU Women’s Volleyball team emerged victorious with a 3-1 win over the New Mexico Lobos in their match in the Wayne Estes Center on October 10, 2024.</p> <p>The post <a href="https://usustatesman.com/womens-volleyball-takes-down-new-mexico-in-3-1-victory/">Women’s Volleyball Takes Down New Mexico in 3-1 Victory</a> appeared first on <a href="https://usustatesman.com">The Utah Statesman</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> </item> </channel> </rss>