You know, there are some things you can count on when the harvest moon rises over the Mesilla Valley. The chile is being picked, the sweaters are being taken out of the back closet and Michael Jordan’s volleyball team is heading into postseason play with a full head of steam. The Aggies are going up to Boise, Idaho this weekend with a hold on first place and a load of momentum heading for the WAC tournament.

Ole Pete hasn’t forgotten the tournament is across the blue Pacific in Honolulu. He also hasn’t forgotten that the Aggies put a whippin’ on the Rainbow Wahines when they met them the last time in Paradise. It was a little slower build this year for the Jordaniares, but the leadership of senior Lindsey Yon and Amber Simpson has the team hitting on all cylinders.

Yon has been chosen conference player of the week two of the last four weeks and Simpson had the honor one of times Yon didn’t. The chemistry on the team has been bolstered by the addition of Erin Birmingham, along with the coming together of Yon and fellow senior Krystal Torres, has given the team a stronger sense of unity here in the stretch run. The Aggies are looking to keep the “Coach of Champions” NCAA visits intact.

There are some stumbling blocks in the way but nothing that can’t be hurdled. It’s an unusual schedule with two matches set for after the conference tournament. The WAC championships take place during the third weekend of November, Virginia Commonwealth comes in on Thanksgiving night and then a road trip to Albuquerque to meet an improved Lobo squad, must be taken care of. This is where the confidence of past wins and the knowledge that they have faced teams of a national caliber kicks in.

In fact that is what led NMSU to that sweep of Hawai’i last month. Playing with aggression and playing to win finally became part of the mental set for this year’s Aggie volleyball squad. It’s something that is a part of late fall here in the Mesilla Valley and is as sweet as some fresh red chile over a plate of enchiladas. 

Don’t forget to head out to the golf course this weekend to see the WAC Cross Country Championships, Saturday, Nov. 1. Aggie coach Paul Harkin has his teams primed and ready. You think the WAC isn’t glad to have NMSU in as a member? This is the fifth championship event to be held here at NMSU and this one fits in well with the homecoming hoopla. There is men’s basketball on Halloween and of course the homecoming football game Saturday at 5:00 p.m. versus Boise State. There are so many treats to be savored this weekend, the ghost and ghouls have forgotten all about any tricks.