New Mexico

Volleyball for boys, too – at least for one

Published

2 years ago

July 20, 2024

Roughly 450 miles from his Portales home, 11-year-old Adrian Abarca clutched a first-place trophy in a Dallas gym. Pride glowed beneath his blonde hair.

Could you blame him? His sets helped Next Level Volleyball Club – based in Lubbock – to win a USA Boys Junior National Championship in late June. But in that tournament, which hosted 250-plus boys’ teams of various age levels from various U.S. states and Puerto Rico, Adrian’s mom, Jennifer, pointed out another reason for her son’s joy: The realization he wasn’t the only boy who played volleyball.

“I think that kind of gave him some encouragement to keep going,” Jennifer Abarca said.

Boys’ volleyball is growing nationally, if not in Clovis or Portales.

Clovis and Portales High School don’t offer it. There aren’t any local, boys-only clubs at the high school level in either community.

If Adrian wants to continue playing as he grows up, his best bet may be club teams in Amarillo or Lubbock – both nearly four-hour round trips.

Amy Hancock, a coach at Next Level Volleyball Club, said the low participation rates in Clovis and Portales is chiefly a byproduct of the stigma that volleyball is meant for girls – not boys. Jennifer said Adrian “is the only boy,” in one co-ed league in Portales.

As a result, there isn’t anyone those like Adrian can look up to for inspiration. His mother said she doesn’t know any boy from Portales who has charted a volleyball course to the college level.

Despite participation in the sport “jumping 56% in the past decade” at the high school level, according to the National Federation of State High School Association, boys’ volleyball remains dwarfed in relevance by football, basketball, and baseball locally.

But Adrian said he doesn’t see being the only boy as a negative. Instead, it’s a source of pride.

“I think it’s cool to be the only boy that plays volleyball in Portales,” he said.

And despite the complications, the sport can afford opportunities that others can’t.

A case of supply and demand, Hancock said the youth surge has prompted more colleges to field men’s teams. With player spots to fill, that means schools are offering more scholarship opportunities than ever before.

Players don’t need to be generational – just good enough. A vast difference compared to football where floods of talented players go unsigned by colleges every year.

Hancock said one player she coaches, “is going to be a part of a brand-new collegiate program in Minnesota” this year.

“The programs are growing and there are scholarships and ways for boys to go to college to play volleyball, if they’re willing to just put it out there and go for it,” Hancock said.

Local recruitment doesn’t hurt either.

Set to spend the night, one of Adrian’s friends recently watched a sand volleyball practice from the sidelines. Adrian said he started to have “fun.” Getting to see the sport’s fast, pinballing energy and the unique camaraderie between teammates dispensed a sense of curiosity.

“He was thinking about maybe joining,” Adrian said.

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New Mexico

New Mexico veteran cemetery coming to Carlsbad via $8M in federal funds – Carlsbad Current-Argus

Published

9 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

New Mexico veteran cemetery coming to Carlsbad via M in federal funds – Carlsbad Current-Argus

Mack Dyer salutes the American Flag during a ceremony, Feb. 25, 2026 at the American Legion in Carlsbad. Adrian Hedden | Carlsbad Current-Argus

Adrian Hedden Carlsbad Current-Argusachedden@currentargus.com Mack Dyer served for 21 years in the U.S. Army. He fought in Operation Desert Storm in 1991 and Operation Iraqi…

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New Mexico

New Mexico spoils Nevada’s Senior Day as Lobos leave Reno with 63-56 win

Published

21 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

New Mexico spoils Nevada’s Senior Day as Lobos leave Reno with 63-56 win

The Nevada women’s basketball team dropped its final home contest of the 2025-26 season on Saturday with New Mexico spoiling Senior Day and pushing past the Wolf Pack for a 63-56 win.

The Wolf Pack led 36-34 at halftime behind a hot-shooting start. Skylar Durley, Imbie Jones and Ahrray Young each had six points as Nevada shot 14-of-25 from the field (56%). But things cooled off in the second half, with the Lobos outscoring the Wolf Pack 19-13 in the third quarter to take a four-point lead into the fourth. Nevada’s shooting woes only worsened in the final period when it made just three field goals, including none in the final four minutes.

Durley led Nevada with 16 points and six rebounds. Young finished with 10 points, three rebounds and three assists. The Wolf Pack made just one three-pointer out of its nine attempts.

The loss drops Nevada to 9-20 overall, 5-14 within the Mountain West Conference. The Wolf Pack now heads to Utah State for Tuesday’s regular-season finale before opening the Mountain West Tournament play next Saturday in Las Vegas.

Watch our coverage of the game below.

Highlights and reaction from Nevada’s loss to New Mexico.

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