KANSAS CITY – Behind a trio of players with double-digit kills, the NM State volleyball team wrapped up the regular-season with a 3-0 sweep of UMKC (25-19, 25-19, 25-22) Saturday afternoon on the WAC Digital Network.
 
"Really happy with the effort today," head coach Mike Jordan said. "We were great defensively and efficient offensively. This team, for as young as we are and all the injury issues we've dealt with, we're really proud of the fact we won another regular-season championship."

How It Happened:
Set No. 1 was no cakewalk for NM State as UMKC (15-12, 8-6 WAC) went point for point with the Aggies (23-6, 13-1 WAC) until Jordan Abalos' kill gave NM State the 12-11 lead. From there, the duo of Abalos and Sasha-Lee Thomas teamed up for six of the nine kills to give the Aggies the first set.
 
Much like the first set, the trio of Abalos, Thomas and Kassandra Tohm led the way for New Mexico State. Abalos again broke the deadlock in the second set that gave NM State the lead for good.
 
UMKC looked to force a fourth set when it took a 14-12 lead as momentum shifted toward the 'Roos, but three-straight kills from NM State washed away that lead. Attacking errors down the stretch also hindered UMKC from mounting its comeback.
 
By The Numbers:
Battle finished with a team-best 14 kills and 14 digs for her ninth double-double of the year while Tohm finished with a .571 hitting clip. Just behind junior outside hitter was Thomas, who hit an impressive .526 clip.
 
What It Means:
With the win over UMKC, NM State will play the winner between the 'Roos and UT Rio Grande Valley in the WAC Tournament semifinals at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 18, in the Pan American Center.
 
WAC Tournament:
The WAC Volleyball Tournament will be played in the Pan American Center next week, Nov. 17-19, as NM State looks to defend its title on its floor.
 
All-Session Passes are $25 for adults, $10 for youth (ages 3-12) and free for children (2 and under) and students from participating WAC schools with valid ID. Single-Session Passes are $12 for adults and $5 for youth (ages 3-12). Tickets can be purchased by calling the Pan American Center box office by calling 575-646-1420.