LAS CRUCES, N.M. – New Mexico State volleyball (6-2) pulled out the victory in a five set thriller against Sacramento State (3-4) on Friday. The Aggies were able to take the match with a 25-22, 16-25, 27-25, 24-26, 16-14 decision.
 
"We were making plays when we needed to, but we were a little up and down like we have been," said head coach Mike Jordan. "That's youth and confidence, though. Hopefully, we will continue to learn every time we take the floor."  
 
The Aggies had four player put up double-digit kills in the match. Western Athletic Conference Preseason Player of the Year Sasha-Lee Thomas paced the Aggies once again with 17 kills and six blocks to go with her .359 hitting percentage. Junior Jordan Abalos logged her sixth double-double of the season with her 14 kills and 17 digs. Junior Kassandra Tohm put up 13 kills and 5 blocks. Sophomore Tatyana Battle nabbed her first double-double of the season with 11 kills and 13 digs.
 
The first set of the match was tightly contested with three ties early, but the Aggies gained some distance with an 8-5 lead. Sac St. battled back to tie the match again at 10-10. They briefly took the lead at 12-10, but the Aggies retied it at 13-13. The match became close again with three more ties before NM State took the lead for good at 17-16. They would go on to claim the frame 25-22.
 
The second set was a bit of a different story as the Hornets opened on a 6-2 run early in the frame. They pushed that lead out to 10-4, and then to 20-10. The Aggies were unable to combat Sac St.'s multiple runs of four or more points, with the Hornets taking the set 25-16.
 
With the score tied 1-1, the third set look to be more of the same as Sac St. opened on a 5-1 run. The Aggies were able to battle back and eventually tie it at 12-12. Unfortunately, a 6-0 run by the Hornets put NM State back in the hole 18-12. Once again, the Aggies clawed and scrapped their way back, tying the match at 24-24. They took their first lead of the set at 26-25, and took the frame 27-25.
 
The fourth set was the most tightly contest frame early as neither team could distance themselves, until Sac St. took the lead at 9-8. Thanks to a 4-0 run, the Hornets pushed the lead to 15-10, and then 18-13. As before, NM State fought all the way back to tie the match at 22-22. However, Sac St. was able to gain the edge and force a deciding fifth set with a 26-24 decision.
 
The fifth and final looked to be all Aggies as they ran out to a 6-3 lead to start. The Hornets would not be denied, however, as they battled back to tie the set at 10-10. NM State ran out to 13-10 lead, but Sac St. would once again tie it at 14-14. Fortunately, the Aggies gained the edge this time and took the set and match with a 16-14 decision.