2023 Season in Review
25-10, 11-5 CUSA
- First ever appearance on a championship stage
- Kaya Weaver capped the season with two program records
- Team program record in season total service aces and attendance
- Most Conference USA wins since joining the league in 2005 and second most league wins in program history
Conference Play
UTEP finished 11-5 in Conference USA. The Miners' five setbacks were against then-No. 25 WKU (series), NM State, and MTSU (series). UTEP won five series against Jax State, FIU, Sam Houston, LA Tech, and Liberty. UTEP locked in the No. 4 seed for the CUSA Championship tournament after closing out conference play with back-to-back wins against Liberty.
Conference USA Players of the Week
For the second consecutive season, UTEP set a program record by earning 10 conference Player of the Week honors, including Freshman of the Week accolades. Kalia Kohler tied Sara Pustahija for the most Freshman of the Week honors with four. Remarkably, Kohler became the first Miner to earn five total weekly honors, all during her freshman year, with four Freshman of the Week and one Co-Setter of the Week awards. Additionally, Kohler is the third Miner in program history to earn a weekly honor in back-to-back weeks, achieving Freshman of the Week on October 2 and Co-Setter of the Week on October 9.
Record Breaking Moments
- On December 12, Alianza Darley became the 13th player in program history to join the 1,000-kill club, tying for 11th place with 1,009 kills.
- In back-to-back seasons, UTEP set a program record in service aces. On December 6, in the NIVC quarterfinals against Clemson, UTEP issued 8 service aces, breaking the previous season's record of 240 aces. Over the NIVC semifinals and finals, UTEP added 12 more aces to finish the season with a school record of 255 aces.
- On December 6, for the first time in program history, UTEP sold out Memorial Gym with 3,271 fans during the NIVC quarterfinals against Clemson. This historic achievement was followed by two more sellouts in the semifinals against South Florida and the finals against Wichita State, setting a new NIVC attendance record. UTEP now holds the top four attendance records in the NIVC.
- 3,271 – UTEP, 2023 Finals
- 3,271 – UTEP, 2023 Semifinals
- 3,271 – UTEP, 2023 Quarterfinals
- 2,601 – UTEP, 2023 Opening Round
- Kaya Weaver became the program's all-time leader in season hitting percentage (.383) and block assists (154).
- UTEP recorded a program record for total block assists (613) and total block assists per set (4.76).
- On October 8, Alyssa Sianez became the 14th player in program history to join the 1,000-dig club. She is currently 5th with 1,169 career digs and will return for the 2024 season.
No Place Like Home
UTEP achieved a historic season with the most home wins (14) and the best home winning percentage (.933) in program history. The team remained undefeated at home during the regular season, including against CUSA opponents, securing 14 consecutive home victories. Their remarkable home performance was only marred by a lone home loss in the final match of the season, the NIVC finals against Wichita State.
Miner Maniacs
Historic Memorial Gym averaged 1,606 fans per home match this season, leading all CUSA teams with 24,084 fans. The Miners sold out Memorial Gym three times (3,271 fans) in the quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals of the NIVC.
Hitting with Consistency
UTEP hit .300 or better 13 times, including six matches higher than .400. The Miners registered a season-high .500 attacking percentage against Jax State on Sep. 30. Two Miners swung better than .300 on the year: Kaya Weaver (.383) led the team among players with at least 200 kills while Danika Washington followed at .378.
Block Party
The Miners registered a season-high 18 blocks in the 3-1 win against San Francisco on Aug. 31. UTEP posted at least 10 blocks on 24 occasions. Sophomore Kaya Weaver tallied 169 total blocks to lead the charge while junior Danika Washington followed with 135.
Miner Rankings
Nationally, UTEP ranked in the top 100 in nine categories:
2. Team Service Aces (255)*
2. Team Total Blocks (355.5)*
11. Aces per Set (1.95)*
13. Blocks per Set (2.71)*
21. Team Assists (1,547)*
22. Team Kills (1,661)*
25. Hitting Percentage (0.270) - 3rd CUSA
50. Match W-L Percentage (0.714) - 2nd CUSA
98. Opponent Hitting Percentage (0.193) - 3rd CUSA
* Conference USA leader
Three Miners ranked within the top 100 in NCAA: Kaya Weaver ranked fifth in total blocks (169) and 23rd in blocks per set (1.32) while leading CUSA in both categories, Danika Washington finished 45th in total blocks (135, 2nd CUSA) and 94th in blocks per set (1.13, 3rd CUSA), and Torrance Lovesee came in 72nd in service aces (45, 3rd CUSA).
Accolades
Conference USA Grand Prize Winner: Go Teach Dr Pepper Tuition Giveaway Program (Feb. 17, 2024)
The Go Teach Dr Pepper Tuition Giveaway is part of a collective six-year effort between the CFP Foundation and Dr Pepper, awarding more than $1.5 million in tuition to student-athletes looking to become teachers. Each year, up to 150 student-athletes will be awarded $2,500 in tuition, and 11 grand-prize recipients will receive an additional $10,000 tuition grant – one student per conference.
CUSA Fall Spirit of Service Award (Jan. 5, 2024)
The award honors student-athletes with significant community service endeavors, good academic standing and participation in their sport.
College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District Team (Dec. 13)
NIVC All-Tournament Team (Dec. 12)
1,000 Kill Club (Dec. 12)
All-Conference (Nov. 16)
CUSA Players of the Week (Nov. 13)
CUSA All-Academic Team (Nov. 10)
CUSA Players of the Week (Oct. 23)
CUSA Players of the Week (Oct. 9)
UTEP 1,000 Digs Club (Oct. 8)
CUSA Player of the Week (Oct. 2)
Tulane Invitational All-Tournament Team (Sep. 16)
CUSA Players of the Week (Sep. 11)
Bobcat Invitational All-Tournament Team (Sep. 9)
CUSA Preseason Team (Aug. 17)
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