Arleene Barrios

Public Information Officer
UTEP Office of University Communications
Phone: 915-747-5526
E-mail: news@utep.edu

UTEP Volleyball Player Crowned Miss Texas USA 2010

Kelsey Elizabeth Moore, a student-athlete at The University of Texas at El Paso, has a new role to play.

The 6-foot-2-inch middle blocker on the UTEP volleyball team was crowned Miss Texas USA 2010 on Sunday, Sept. 6, in Houston.

Moore, who is new to the pageant world, addressed local media during a press conference Wednesday, Sept. 9.

“It’s completely different. There’s no make-up in volleyball. There are no heels in volleyball. This is all so new to me … I’m really enjoying it. This is so much fun,” she said.

The Chandler, Ariz., native won the Miss El Paso USA pageant in June. Moore told reporters she had no plans to enter the pageant, but a friend convinced her at the last minute.

The UTEP freshman will continue playing on the Miner volleyball team for the remainder of the season, and she recognizes her duties as pageant queen will be a balancing act. “Volleyball has its own place, and the pageant has its own place. I definitely have to work on creating separate mental compartments for each … My teammates are very supportive. They’re a great group of girls,” said Moore.

The volleyball season ends in November.

Moore will participate in the Miss USA pageant April 18, 2010, in Las Vegas, Nev.