Cassandra Burruel and the UTEP volleyball will take on NMSU tonight in Las Cruces, N.M. at the Pan American Center. (Photo courtesy of UTEP Athletics)

EL PASO, TEXAS – After the fast 4-1 start this season the UTEP volleyball team turn its attention to the Battle I-10 rivalry tonight in Las Cruces, N.M. and are hoping to put an end to the six-year skid against NMSU.

The Miners have lost 11 straight to the Aggies and have not beaten their long-time rival since 2004.

After coming back from North Carolina this past weekend, riding a three-game winning streak, the team is now focused on Friday night’s game and is attempting to treat it like any other game by not putting too much attention on the losing streak and rivalry.

“We try to treat it like any other match and it’s important because it’s our next match, head coach Ken Murphy said. “We try to minimize all the external stuff we just can’t control.”

Yet, it’s tough to control those emotions a player begins to feel when they realize they’re heading into a rivalry. As the old adage goes, “You throw records out the window.”

“It’s a big rivalry between schools,” said senior setter Patty Jarmoc before Thursday’s practice. “I think this is our time to come back and beat them especially on their own court.”

Jarmoc knows what it’s like to play the Aggies (3-1) and acknowledged that although this year’s team is young, with eight freshmen, she feels like they still have experience since most redshirted last year. Jarmoc, who is one of three seniors, is ranked fifth all time in service aces, fourth all-time in assists and third all-time in blocks. To say that her leadership and experience will not be leaned upon is an understatement.

“Patty has been a four-year starter for us at setter and I think she could have a really big impact on this squad,” Murphy said. “I think she has the ability to make things a little easier for them, we have some really good hitters and if she puts them in a good position we could have a lot of confidence.”

The Miners are set to play the traditional two-game series against the Aggies (2-1) with the first in Las Cruces tonight at 7 p.m. and the return match Sept. 7 in El Paso at Memorial Gym.

Can’t make the game?

For Miner fans that cannot make the trek out to Las Cruces, have no fear, because the game will be broadcast on www.espn3.com.

Adam Díaz may be reached at show@minerillsutrated.com.