PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Junior Jordan Abalos led New Mexico State (7-4) with a career-high 22 kills as the Aggies defeated Central Connecticut State (5-5) 25-20, 25-21, 25-21 in the opening match of the Brown Invitational on Friday.
 
In addition to her kills, Abalos earned her eighth double-double of the season by racking up 13 digs as well. Junior Kassandra Tohm and sophomore Tatyana Battle also contributed with nine and eight kills, respectively.
 
The Aggies looked fierce as they opened the match on an 8-2 run. However, CCSU would battle back to tie it at 11-11. The Blue Devils had no answers for NM State's point runs, as the Aggies pushed the lead to its farthest at 17-12. NM State eventually claimed the frame with a 25-20 decision.
 
In the second set, the Aggies did not fare as easy and started slow, trailing the Blue Devils 9-4 early in the frame. The squad fought back to tie the set at 14-14, but would not take the lead until 20-19. From there, it was all NM State as they took the frame 25-21.
 
The third and final set was the most tightly contested of the match. Both teams traded points for most the frame, which featured 14 ties. CCSU finally broke away with an 18-15 lead. The Aggies once again rallied and took the lead at 19-18. The eventually took the set and match 25-21.
 
NM State is back in action tomorrow as they face off against Binghamton and host Brown at 8 a.m. and 5p.m., respectively.