Sports: UTEP Pair Earns Conference USA Honors as Beach Volleyball Gains Ground

Beach volleyball continues to grow across Conference USA, with regional programs gaining recognition in a sport that remains absent from New Mexico State’s athletic lineup.

This week, UTEP’s Krista Paegle and Averie Threet were named Conference USA Beach Volleyball Pair of the Week following a dominant showing at the Arizona Invitational.

The duo went a perfect 4-0 on Court 3, earning wins over San Francisco, Missouri State and Tarleton State, while also securing UTEP’s lone point in a dual against No. 19 Arizona. Notably, Paegle and Threet did not drop a single set across the weekend.

A Growing NCAA Sport

While still unfamiliar to many in our broader community, NCAA beach volleyball has steadily expanded since becoming a sanctioned championship sport in 2016.

Unlike traditional indoor volleyball, the college beach game is structured around:

• Five pairs competing simultaneously in a dual match
• Two-on-two play, requiring athletes to serve, defend and attack without substitution
• Best-of-three set matches, with each pair contributing one point to the team score

Matches are played outdoors, introducing elements like wind and sun, with teams switching sides frequently to maintain competitive balance.

Conference USA Landscape

Beach volleyball is one of the few Conference USA sports not currently sponsored by New Mexico State, though several league members field competitive programs.

Current standings show a competitive field:

SCHOOL	CONF	CPCT.	OVERALL	PCT.
Missouri State	3-0	1.000	14-1	.933
USF	3-0	1.000	15-5	.750
UAB	3-0	1.000	16-9	.640
Florida Atlantic	2-0	1.000	13-11	.542
UTEP	3-2	.600	7-13	.350
FIU	1-1	.500	10-9	.526
Tulane	0-1	.000	14-8	.636
TAR	0-3	.000	5-13	.278
Sam Houston	0-1	.000	2-17	.105

Conference USA

The Miners’ recent individual honors highlight both the depth of competition within the conference and the opportunities available for programs willing to invest in the sport.

A Natural Fit?

Beach volleyball’s continued growth raises a broader question for programs like New Mexico State.

The sport requires relatively small rosters, offers scheduling flexibility and aligns well with the climate and outdoor culture of southern New Mexico. Nationally, the NCAA championship has expanded to a 16-team field, reflecting increased participation and competitive balance.

For now, programs like UTEP continue to represent the region in the sand, but as the sport gains traction, it may only be a matter of time before more schools in the conference consider joining.