LAS CRUCES, N.M. – New Mexico State volleyball was defeated at UT Rio Grande Valley on Saturday. The Aggies fell to UTRGV 23-25, 25-20, 25-20, 23-25, 12-15, opening Western Athletic Conference play with a loss.
"Seniors have to make plays. That's not happening enough. We got great effort from our young middles and had a lot of bright spots but the play of our upperclassmen needs to improve," head coach Mike Jordan said. "We just didn't make the plays we needed to make."
How It Happened
The Aggies (8-6, 1-0) went back-and-forth with UTRGV (7-7, 1-0) until NM State went on a scoring run to pull ahead 13-10. The Vaqueros charged back and tied the set at 13-13. New Mexico State was able to take another three-point lead, but UTRGV chipped away at the Aggies advantage to take control. Despite tying the set 23-23, NM State was unable to score the final two points and fell 25-23.
In the second set, New Mexico State kept it close with UTRGV and the Aggies took a two-point lead early in the set. The Vaqueros came back and were able to take the lead, but NM State charged back to claiming a 22-18 advantage over UTRGV. New Mexico State held on took the second set 25-20.
NM State carried its momentum into the third set by taking a four-point lead over the Vaqueros. UTRGV did not give up and came within two of the Aggies, but New Mexico State protected its lead. NM State closed out the set with a kill by Sasha–Lee Thomas to win 25-20.
New Mexico State came out hot to start the fourth set, holding a 10-5 advantage over UTRGV. The Aggies lead diminished when the Vaqueros went on a scoring run of their own to tie the match. New Mexico State surged forward with a 21-16 lead but the Vaqueros did not go away quietly and tied the match 23-23. The Aggies gave up the next two points points to end the 25-23 loss.
NM State fell behind 4-1 in the fifth set but scored six-straight to lead UTRGV 7-4. The Aggies fought for each point but the Vaqueros tied the set 10-10. Despite going ahead 12-10, the Aggies gave up five-straight points to fall 15-12.
By the Numbers
NM State recorded 94 digs and 69Â kills in the loss. New Mexico State tallied 66 assists compared to UTRGV's 50, but the Vaqueros had nine blocks compared to the Aggies' seven. Thomas led all players with 18 kills. Tatyana Battle posted a double-double with 11 kills and 21 digs. Natalie Mikels and Briana Ainsworth recorded 33 and 32 assists, respectively, which are new season highs for the setters.
New Mexico State returns home to host Chicago State and UMKC. The Aggies take on the Cougars on Thursday, Sept. 28 at 7 p.m. (MT) and the Roos on Saturday, Sept. 30 at 1 p.m.
