Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
ENMU athletic communications Eastern New Mexico University senior Agatha Gibbons (4) never played much volleyball until coming to school at New Mexico Military Insititute in 2010, but she is leading the ENMU volleyball team in blocks for the second consecutive year.
Agatha Gibbons is a senior middle blocker for the Eastern New Mexico University volleyball team, hailing from Suva, Fiji. She came to the United States in 2010, spending five semesters at New Mexico Military Institute in Roswell and playing volleyball there. She sat out the 2011 campaign at NMMI after tearing an ACL, played the following season and then returned to Fiji — a small group of islands located in the South Pacific — in spring 2013 before enrolling at ENMU last fall to play for coach Sia Poyer.
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Eastern New Mexico University senior Agatha Gibbons (4) never played much volleyball until coming to school at New Mexico Military Insititute in 2010, but she is leading the ENMU volleyball team in blocks for the second consecutive year.
The 6-foot Gibbons, who hadn’t play much volleyball before coming to NMMI, played in all but one of the Zias’ 28 matches last year, starting 26, and led the team in blocks with 97 (24 solos). This year, she has a team-high 37 blocks (five solos) for ENMU (4-5, 0-2 Lone Star Conference), which plays its home opener on Tuesday against LSC foe Midwestern State at Greyhound Arena.
How did you get the chance to come to the states?
The tennis coach at NMMI is from Fiji. He’s the one that brought me over, and he thought I could be really good in volleyball.
How was your adjustment to the U.S.?
Coming from Fiji to a military school was a big adjustment. You had to do the things they wanted you to do there. On volleyball, they had more plays (here), and it was much faster. I didn’t have a problem adjusting socially, because I love to make friends.
Do you find volleyball at the NCAA Division II level coming easier in your second season at ENMU?
It’s going much more easier. I know what I’m up against, and what to expect. I worked (out) all summer just (to be ready) for that.
How often do you get back to Fiji?
I go home once a year, every summer (when school is out for her, a period of 10-12 weeks). I use coach LV’s (ENMU strength and conditioning coach Larry Varnado Jr.) workout program (to train).
You are set to graduate in May in criminal justice. What are your plans after graduation?
I want to stay here an maybe become a grad assistant or something. Otherwise, I’ll try to apply for citizenship or a working visa.
If I do become a citizen, I’d like to join the Air Force. If not, I’d like to go to work in Australia.
— Compiled by Dave Wagner
