LAS CRUCES, N.M. – The 2023 Borderland Invitational is set to begin. The tournament, hosted by both NM State and UTEP, will also feature Arizona State and San Francisco. The first match for the Aggies will be in the Pan American Center at approximately 7:00 PM MT on Friday, Sept. 1.
 
The weekend will feature matches played in El Paso, as well. The Aggies will not make the trip down I-10, as both of their opponents will play true road matches.
 
How to Follow
Both NM State matches will have live stats via StatBroadcast and a radio broadcast on 91.5 FM KRUX. There will be no livestream for any matches during the Borderland Invitational.
 
Pan American Center Schedule (Las Cruces):
Friday, Sept. 1

• UTEP vs. Arizona State: 4:00 PM MT
• San Francisco @ NM State: 30 minutes after conclusion of UTEP/ASU (approx. 7:00 PM)

 
Sunday, Sept. 3

• Arizona State @ NM State: 1:00 PM MT

 
Memorial Gym Schedule (El Paso):
Thursday, Aug. 31

• San Francisco @ UTEP: 6:00 PM MT

 
Saturday, Sept. 2

• Arizona State vs. San Francisco: 10:00 AM MT

 
Notably, UTEP and NM State will not play head-to-head this weekend. In October, the schools will clash as conference foes for the first time since 1962. In a midweek two-match set, the Miners will travel north to the Pan American Center on Oct. 3-4. 

Where the Aggies Stand
The Thunderdome Classic finished as a 2-1 trip for NM State, who has won their last six sets. Several awards and notable numbers came from the weekend in Santa Barbara:

• Darian Markham was named Conference USA's Defensive Player of the Week after totaling 57 digs in just 9 sets. Her 6.33 digs per set are second-most in the country. 
• Markham and Ryleigh Whitekettle were named to The Thunderdome Classic All-Tournament Team.
• Whitekettle's .470 hitting percentage ranks her 40th in the country. She set a career high with 17 kills and a .680 hitting percentage against North Florida (8/26)
• Alexandria Connatser set a career-high with 8 blocks against Denver (8/27). That mark leads CUSA for most blocks by an individual in any match. Connatser only needed three sets to do it. 

 
Scouting San Francisco
Head Coach: Diogo Silva 
Record at San Francisco: 16-41 (third season)
Current record: 2-1, 0-0 WCC
 
Maria Petkova leads the attack as a 5'11" junior at outside hitter. Her season-high output came against New Mexico with 22 kills in four sets (8/26). With 41 kills in her last eight sets, Petkova brings high-potential volume and efficiency. 
 
Aylen Ayub is a 6'0" setter that methodically runs the offense with ease. She sits at 100 assists even after 10 sets, comfortably ahead of any other Don. She was all over the box score against New Mexico, with 42 assists, 24 digs, seven kills (.583) and three blocks.
 
 
Abby Wadas has tallied an impressive 5.18 digs/set, playing in all 11 sets for USF so far.


New Don, New Day
It would be difficult to find many teams with a greater improvement than San Francisco from 2021 to 2022. Following an 0-25 campaign in Diogo Silva's first season in 2021, The Dons improved by 14 wins, finishing 14-15 a year ago. Their 2-1 mark thus far is a sign of continuing improvement under Silva. 
 
 
Scouting Arizona State
Head Coach: JJ Van Niel
Record at Arizona State: 3-0 (first season)
Current record: 3-0
 
Marta Levinska was the lone member to be voted to the Pac-12 Preseason All-Conference Team. Her performance early in the season has proved that decision to be warranted, as she leads the team in kills, points, has 12 blocks, 10 aces, and a .413 hitting percentage on a team-high 80 attempts. 
 
Geli Cyr is second on the roster in kills, coming in just behind Levinska with 36. Her .400 hitting percentage is accompanied by 21 digs, which lands her third on the roster. That balanced production on offense and defense makes the 5'10" junior someone to keep an eye on for Sunday's match. 
 
To Be the Best…
Arizona State will become the first Power Five team to play in Las Cruces in exactly two years. On Sept. 3, 2021, Mike Jordan welcomed in Northwestern and Arizona for a doubleheader. The Aggies earned a split of the Wildcats on the day, beating Northwestern and falling to Arizona in five sets.
 
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