LAS CRUCES, N.M. – New Mexico State volleyball will travel to Troy, Ala. on Friday, Sept. 2 for the Trojan Invitational. The Aggies first match against Austin Peay is set to begin at 8:30 a.m. in the Trojan Arena.
 
In addition to facing Austin Peay, NM State will match up against Valparaiso on Friday at 1:30 p.m.,  host Troy on Saturday at 8 a.m. and Southern U. on Saturday at 1 p.m.
 
All four matches will be broadcast live on TroyTrojans.com. Fans can access live stats and video for the matches by clicking here.
 
The Aggies opened the season last week with a 1-2  record in the UNLV Invitational, which included a win over Albany and a five-set loss to UC Santa Barbara. Western Athletic Conference Preseason Player of the Year Sasha-Lee Thomas was named to the All-Tournament team after racking up 32 kills and six blocks in the three matches.
 
Junior Jordan Abalos started her season off with a bang as she racked up three double-doubles last weekend, and currently leads the WAC with an average of 0.45 service aces per set. Junior Ariadnne Sierra also leads the WAC with an average of 5.27 digs per set.
 
The Aggies will face three of their four opponents for the first time this weekend. This will be the first meeting between NM State and Austin Peay, Valparaiso and Southern U. The first and only time the Aggies took on Troy, NM State won the contest in straight sets on Sept. 10, 2005 in El Paso, Texas.
 
Austin Peay is led by junior Christina White. After four matches, White leads the Lady Govs with 38 kills, averaging 2.71 per set. On defense, Ashley Slay leads the squad with nine blocks, and Allie O'Reilly paces the team with 45 digs, an average of 3.21 per set.
 
Valparaiso is led by Emily Campbell and Katherine Carlson. Both Campbell and Carlson pace the Crusaders with 40 kills apiece, an average of 2.86 per set. On defense, Kayla Currier leads the team with 15 blocks (1.07 per set), and Morganne Longoria leads with 41 digs (3.42 per set).
 
Offensively, Troy is led by Symone Shaw. Shaw leads the Trojans with 34 kills, an average of 2.62 pet set. On defense, Troy is paced by Leah Causey, who has 15 blocks and averages 1.07 per set, and Avalon Nero, who has 48 digs and averages 3.43 per set.
 
Southern U. is led offensively by Arabella Hall. Hall leads the Jaguars with 23 kills, an average of 2.09 per set. Defensively, Hall also leads the squad with 15 blocks. Diamond Williams paces the team with 42 digs.
 
Schedule
NM State vs. Austin Peay – Friday, Sept. 2 – 8:30 a.m.
NM State vs. Valparaiso – Friday, Sept. 2 – 1:30 p.m.
NM State at Troy – Saturday, Sept. 3 – 8 a.m.
NM State vs. Southern – Saturday, Sept. 3 – 1 p.m.
 
Television
TroyTrojans.com