COLLEGE STATION, Texas – The New Mexico State Aggies had a quick overnight turnaround but still swept winless Abilene Christian 3-0 in the second game of the Texas A&M Invitational Saturday morning.
 
The Aggies (5-1) needed just an hour and 12 minutes to sweep the Wildcats (0-5) 25-21, 25-14, 25-20.
 
"We were sloppy at times, but I was proud of the way we were able to play through it this morning," said NM State head coach Mike Jordan. "We hit for a good percentage, but defensively we had some tired legs. It's hard to play well in an early morning match after such a draining match last night."
 
The Aggies won an emotional five-set match over Wichita State on Friday night.
 
Senior outside hitter Andrea Tauai of Tauranga, New Zealand/Tauranga led the way for the Aggies against ACU, getting a double-double of 12 kills and 16 digs while hitting .375 to go with three service aces.
 
Freshman outside hitter Tatyana Battle of Albuquerque, N.M./Cibola posted 10 kills, as sophomore Sahsa-Lee Thomas of Pottsville, Pa./Pottsville led the team with five blocks.
 
"Andrea played well," Jordan explained. "She had a slow start, but really picked it up in the second half of the match."
 
The Aggies took set one with ease 25-21 and never trailed. The second had one brief ACU lead before NM State went on a 9-0 run as part of an 11-1 rally to win 25-14.
 
But the third set was a battle.
 
ACU fought the Aggies through three lead changes and seven ties to grab a to equal the set at 19-all.
 
Jordan called a timeout to settle the Ags, who responded with a 6-1 run to end the set and match.
 
"ACU scrambed well and dug the ball well," Jordan said. "They were able to extend rallies and make us work for it."
 
NM State has now won three straight and out to take the tournament when they face host Texas A&M in the 'Battle of the Aggies' at noon Mountain on Sunday.
 
"We're hoping to claim the Aggie Prize," said Jordan. "This is another big opportunity for us. We have a strong schedule and are getting to learn a lot about ourselves.
 
"We really want to play great."
 
The match will be produced on the SEC Network+, and will be live streamed on WatchESPN. A link is available to the production on NMStateSports.com.