LAS CRUCES, N.M. – New Mexico State volleyball (6-3) was unable to contain No. 16 Texas A&M (5-3) on Friday night as they fell in straight sets. Texas A&M was able to claim the victory with a 25-20, 25-16, 25-19 decision.
 
"I thought we served it pretty well, in stretches," said head coach Mike Jordan. "We got off to a great start with [Ariadnne Sierra] serving it tough. We are getting better at that, which is great. Our outside hitters struggled. [Texas A&M] presented a big block, but we had some hole opportunities to hit the ball sharp across and we didn't do it. We have to learn from these things. That is why we schedule these matches. They present those kinds of problems with a team like that. We have to learn from it, and get better at those things. When we do, I think we will be pretty good."
 
A trio of Aggies led the team in kills. Junior Sasha-Lee Thomas logged seven kills and two blocks on the night. Junior Kassandra Tohm put up seven kills of her own. Freshman Brigette Lowe gathered seven kills en route to an impressive .600 hitting percentage.
 
NM State looked ready to bring it in the first set as the opened up on a 6-1 run, including three-straight service aces from Ariadnne Sierra. Texas A&M battled back to tie it up 11-11. The visiting Aggies would take a brief lead at 14-13, but NM State would tie it and take the lead 16-14. Texas A&M retook the lead at 18-16 and did not let it go, winning the frame 25-20.
 
In the second set, NM State again ran out to a sizable lead to start at 4-1, but once again Texas A&M found a way to tie it up at 6-6. From there, it was all Texas A&M, with their largest lead of the set coming at 15-10. They eventually took the frame 25-16.
 
In what seemed to be a running theme in this match, NM State opened the third set with a 3-1 lead. They would eventually push the lead to 10-6. However, once again Texas A&M fought back to tie the set at 15-15. From there, the visiting Aggies took over with a lead of 17-15 and then 23-17. They would claim the set and match with a 25-19 decision in the final frame.
 
NM State is back in action tomorrow as they close out the Borderland Invitational against Arizona at noon.