A New Era Begins for NMJC Volleyball

New Mexico Junior College begins the fall sports cycle Friday, August 19 with the start of the volleyball season at the Midland Classic.

The T-Birds will play four matches in Midland split between Friday and Saturday. Friday's slate includes a televised 10 a.m. CT matchup against Navarro College on the Midland volleyball YouTube page. The Thunderbirds will finish out the day against Lee College at 2 p.m. CT.

Saturday NMJC will play in a doubleheader against North Central Texas College at 11 p.m. CT and Otero College at 1 p.m. CT. 

This year, a familiar face takes over the helm for the 2022-23 season. Thunderbird assistant coach Holli Reyna was elevated to head volleyball coach after the departure of Alex Lehocky, who took a head coaching position at Minot State University.   

Reyna has been a staple in Hobbs since the inception of the volleyball program in 2019.

"I am super excited to step in as head coach," Reyna said. "Helping start this program from the ground up has allowed me to assist in setting a solid foundation of what it means to be a T-Bird volleyball player. So far all of our former and current players have exceeded those expectations on and off the court. My time as an assistant both here at NMJC and previously has allowed me to step into this role feeling confident and prepared."

NMJC also added assistant coach Desiree Marmolejo to the staff this offseason. Marmolejo played volleyball collegiately at Midland College as a setter from 2017-19 and continued her career at Cameron University as a captain from 2019-21. 

Reyna is excited for the season to get underway and is looking for her five returning sophomores to lead the way.

"The returners have worked tremendously hard this past year to improve their skills and all five are genuine leaders in their own ways," Reyna said. "Defensively, returners Luiza Arsufi & Milena Cernjanski took control of the back row and greatly improved their ability to see the floor. Giovana Costarelli has stepped up on the right side and become more of a vocal leader who is able to consistently set a solid block."

"Our starting setter Lacie Schooley racked up some impressive stats last season. I expect those numbers to get even better with her improved ability to run a quick tempo offense, especially with the help of our returning outside hitter Maria Machado who is super smart and consistent. Overall, as a team every single one of these girls has bought in and worked 100% every single day."

The Thunderbirds playing in Midland is a full circle moment for Reyna, who played and coached for the Chaps.  

"The nostalgia definitely hits hard when I walk onto the Midland College campus. MC will always have a bit of my heart," Reyna said. "As a former player, I left a lot of sweat and tears on that floor. But do you know what's a better feeling than that? Getting to grow and develop this NMJC team to be even better. Thunder up!"