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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The University of Texas at El Paso women's |
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volleyball program achieved a new level of success during the 2024 |
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season, as the Miners advanced all the way to the NCAA Division I |
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Women's Volleyball Championship tournament; and |
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WHEREAS, In the course of an unforgettable year, the UTEP |
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players repeatedly surpassed expectations; their inspired play |
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during the regular season included a 13-game winning streak and 20 |
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consecutive home victories, and they were the first Division I team |
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to reach 20 wins; in recognition of their efforts, the Miners |
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received an at-large bid for the NCAA tournament, securing their |
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spot in the "Big Dance" for the first time in team history; and |
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WHEREAS, On December 6, UTEP took the court against the |
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University of Oklahoma in a first-round matchup; the Miners |
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showcased their resilience in a hard-fought contest, opening with a |
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25-19 decision in the first set and claiming the second frame 25-22 |
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for a 2-0 lead; after dropping sets three and four, the UTEP players |
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gave their all in the fifth and decisive set; though they ultimately |
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fell short, the Miners ended with a stellar record of 27-6, |
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underscoring their season-long accomplishments; and |
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WHEREAS, For UTEP, Kaya Weaver was named the Conference USA |
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Defensive Player of the Year and an All-American Honorable Mention |
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pick, Kalia Kohler, Madison Hill, Sara Pustahija, and Ema Uskokovic |
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earned academic all-district selection, and Mattie Gantt and Ms. |
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Kohler were conference co-setters of the week; the Miners also |
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received vital contributions during their campaign from the other |
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roster members: Jordan Imperial, Alyssa Sianez, Ava Martindale, |
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Deanna Almaguer, Torrance Lovesee, Alexis Massey, Lauren Wallace, |
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Iana Loera, Hannah Crowe, Lauren Perry, Landry Braziel, Luvina |
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Oguntimehin, and Danika Washington; these dedicated athletes were |
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guided by head coach Ben Wallis, assistant coaches Nick Petrovic, |
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Courtney Johnson, and Lexie Torres, graduate assistant coach Alex |
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Gantt, and manager Jorge Araiza; and |
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WHEREAS, Playing with exemplary skill, determination, and |
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teamwork, the UTEP women's volleyball squad has earned a place |
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among the best Division I teams in the country, and the Miners' |
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achievements are a source of great pride for the university's |
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students, alumni, and fans; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas |
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Legislature hereby congratulate The University of Texas at El Paso |
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women's volleyball team on advancing to the 2024 NCAA Division I |
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tournament and extend to the players, coaches, and staff sincere |
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best wishes for the future; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for the team as an expression of high regard by the Texas |
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House of Representatives. |