LAS CRUCES, N.M.  – The New Mexico State women's volleyball team has found a temporary home.
 
On Thursday, Jan. 28, NM State Athletics announced that the Aggies are set to play their home games at UTEP's Memorial Gym in El Paso. Current COVID-19 guidelines allow the Aggies to practice in New Mexico but not play games in the state.
 
"Memorial gym is the perfect place for us to host our Western Athletic Conference matches," said Director of Athletics Mario Moccia. "I would like to thank all the UTEP officials that made this possible, especially UTEP's head coach, Ben Wallis. Aggie Nation is very appreciative. We look forward to pursuing another WAC title close to home and in a very historic venue."
 
Memorial Gym is a 5,200 seat arena that has housed UTEP's volleyball team since its inception in 1974. The gym was also the home of UTEP's 1966 National Champion basketball team.
 
"We are very grateful to UTEP for being able to accommodate us," said head coach Mike Jordan. "Ben [Wallis] reached out right away and was able to get the ball rolling, he owes me a lot of favors so I called one in," coach Jordan joked.
 
Wallis spent six years next to Jordan on the Aggie bench and the two made three trips to the NCAA Tournament together.  
 
The Aggies are currently 2-0 on the season after picking up a pair of wins over Dixie State at the Sporting Chance Center in Tucson to open WAC play. NM State's first "home" matches in Memorial Gym take place on Feb. 15 and 16 against Grand Canyon.