Peter Dindinger – NMMI Sports Press
It's been a great year so far for New Mexico Military Institute sophomore opposite Marian Ovalle.
Before the start of the season, Ovalle played for the 23-and-under Mexican national volleyball team that captured a silver medal at the Pan American Cup in Aguascalientes, Mexico in mid-August.
She was recognized as the best opposite at the tournament by the North, Central America and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation.
Now, the Ciudad Juarez, Mexico native will get a chance to stay close to home after signing her National Letter of Intent with UTEP on Wednesday in front of coaches and teammates.
"I'm happy for that because now I'm going to see my family a little more," she said.
NMMI has had tons of success this season, sporting a 30-4 overall record after capturing the Region V West tourney title and winning the Southwest District B title to earn an automatic bid to the national tourney.
Ovalle ranks eighth in NJCAA Division I with 452 kills and points with 544. She averages 4.6 points a set, which ranks fourth-best in the nation.
She had a season-best 29 kills during a five-set win over Iowa Western on Oct. 16.
In addition, Ovalle has tallied 36 service aces, 348 digs, 12 solo blocks and 88 block assists in 34 matches played.
She earned Western Junior College Athletic Conference Player of the Week honors three times while she was also named an NJCAA Offensive Player of the Week on Oct. 20.
During the week, Ovalle recorded 96 kills, 62 digs, 11 block assists and seven solo blocks to help the Broncos go 5-0 during the span.
The stellar numbers also earned her American Volleyball Coaches Association Two-Year College National Player of the Week nods.
NMMI has played a vital role in helping transform her into a standout player.
"I'm really happy for being with them," Ovalle said. "We are friends, we are teammates and this is my family. Thank you to Shelby (Forchtner) for all the work that she's done for me, and I appreciate everything.
As a freshman, Ovalle saw action in 23 matches during the spring season. She tallied 173 kills, 18 service aces, 200 digs, five blocked shots and 26 block assists.
UTEP is currently 19-6 overall and 8-4 in Conference USA play.
Former NMMI standouts Hula Crisostomo and Vittoria Price are with the Miners.
Price has seen action in 82 sets. She has 117 kills in 25 matches while on defense she has tallied 10 blocked shots and 65 block assists.
Crisostomo hopes to return next season after being sidelined this fall with a knee injury.
As for NMMI, its season is far from over with an appearance at the NJCAA Division I National Championship taking place Nov. 18-20 in Hutchinson, Kan.
"She has done some really good things for us her sophomore year," said Forchtner about Ovalle. "This year she was voted a captain. She's a motivator, team leader and works hard every single day.
"Everybody saw the potential in her and this year she's met and exceeded all those things. Coach (Ben) Wallis has done nothing but bring success to that program, and getting a kid like this who can score is going to help them."