In the world of beach volleyball, the sand is constantly shifting, but for University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) senior Krista Paegle and sophomore Averie Threet, their names are now firmly set in the record books.
The duo was recently named the March 31, Conference USA (C-USA) Pair of the Week, a distinction that carries more weight than a typical weekly accolade. It marks the first time in the history of the UTEP beach volleyball program that a pair has earned a conference honor.
The journey to this milestone began in two very different corners of the world. Paegle, a native of Riga, Latvia, arrived in El Paso with a prestigious international resume.
A former Latvian National Champion, she has competed on the FIVB Beach Pro Tour and represented her country in the CEV Under-Age European Championships.
Meanwhile, Threet arrived from the small-town atmosphere of Peaster, Texas, bringing a “winning culture” from her high school roots.
Despite the distance between their hometowns, the two found common ground the moment they stepped into the sand.
“I think even though we’re from separate places and culturally we are different, when we play volleyball, we don’t really feel those cultural differences. We’re both passionate about the sport, so we just go play.” Paegle said.
While the sport felt familiar, the environment was a new frontier for Threet. Moving to El Paso was a transformative experience that extended well beyond the court.
“It was a big shock,” Threet said. “Just being around the culture in El Paso and honestly seeing the mountains every day is a huge shock. There’s no place like El Paso.”
That sense of belonging was bolstered by a shared personal motivation: their mothers.
Both athletes were raised in volleyball households, with Paegle’s mother having played professionally and Threet’s mother serving as her high school coach.
“My mom has impacted my game so much,” Paegle said. “Growing up, seeing [the] high competition and seeing my mom compete professionally has impacted a lot of my game. I’m striving to be like my mom when she used to play.”
Threet mirrors that sentiment, noting her mother is her biggest supporter.
That foundation of support has allowed them to navigate technical challenges, such as adapting their style to accommodate Threet’s height compared to the average beach volleyball player.
By playing a “cleaner” game and avoiding mistakes, the strategy has paid off.
The pair went 4-0 during the weekend that earned them the honor, including a straight-set victory to secure UTEP’s lone point against nationally ranked No. 19 Arizona.
“I was a little shocked,” Threet said regarding the news. “I was obviously super proud and honored, but we couldn’t have done it without our teammates and our coaches.”
For Paegle, who has seen the program grow from its infancy, the award is the fulfillment of a long-term vision.
“When we started out my freshman year, it was totally different,” Paegle said. “We had high goals and expectations. This was one of my goals and completing that is a huge accomplishment for myself and for this program.”
Even as they make history, the two maintain a lighthearted balance off the sand.
While Threet jokingly claims she would have to “keep Krista afloat” if they were stranded in a desert, and their music tastes differ; Their on-court synchronization is undeniable.
As the Miners look toward the C-USA championships, the duo remains focused on the fight ahead.
“Keep supporting us,” Threet said. “We’re still out there fighting, and nothing’s done yet. We still have a good chance in the conference championship.”
With the first conference honor now in the books, the foundation for UTEP beach volleyball has never looked more solid.
Adrian Gonzalez Jr. is a staff reporter for The Prospector and may be reached at [email protected]
