LAS CRUCES, N.M. – New Mexico State volleyball gets set for crucial Western Athletic Conference matches this week. The Aggies hit the road for the final time during the regular season as the team faces off against Grand Canyon on Thursday, Nov. 8, at 6 p.m. MT from the GCU Arena. NM State returns to the Pan American Center on Saturday, Nov. 10, for a match against California Baptist at 11 a.m.

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FOLLOW ALONG
Fans can also watch both matches for free on the WAC Digital Network. New Mexico State's match against the Lancers can be heard on 91.5 FM KRUX or through the TuneIn site or app on tablets or mobile devices with Adam Young handling the play-by-play.

WHERE IN THE WAC
Overall, the Aggies lead the league in opponent hitting percentage (.159) and the clip also ranks 19th nationally. New Mexico State also ranks third in the conference for hitting percentage (.218) and blocks (2.33). In WAC play alone, the squad again leads the conference in opponent hitting percentage (.149). NM State also places second among league teams in assists (12.71) and kills (13.46) while also ranking third in hitting percentage (.223), blocks (2.62), and aces (1.35).

Individually, Megan Hart posts a .358 hitting clip and 1.07 blocks, which puts the redshirt junior in second and sixth in the respective categories. Julianna Salanoa posts 1.11 blocks per set, which is good for fourth in the conference. Tatyana Battle ranks fifth in kills (3.35), sixth in points (3.79), and 10th in digs (2.97) and Natalie Mikels posts 0.31 service aces, putting the sophomore third in the WAC.

In league play alone, Hart (.393) and Salanoa (.338) rank first and third, respectively, for hitting percentage. Both middle blockers also rank in the top-10 for blocks with Salanoa placing fourth (1.29) and Hart sitting in fifth (1.21). Hart's 0.31 aces per set in conference play also has the redshirt junior fourth in the league. Battle ranks fourth in kills (3.54), sixth in points (4.00) and 10th in digs (3.04). Setters Briana Ainsworth (5.50) and Mikels (5.29) place eighth and 10th, respectively, in the conference for assists.

Seniors Ainsworth and Battle joined elite company in the NM State record books. Ainsworth currently ranks seventh all-time with 2,604 career assists. Meanwhile, Battle sits in fourth with 3,704 career attempts and eighth with 1,288 kills.

LAST TIME OUT
In the squad's last match, New Mexico State fell in a five-set thriller at Utah Valley. The Aggies posted 67 kills on hitting .161 for the match. NM State also tallied 84 digs, 65 assists, and 15 blocks in the loss. Battle recorded her league-leading 15th double-double when she had 19 kills and 17 digs. Ainsworth added a double-double to her senior campaign, posting 29 assists and 10 digs. Savannah Davison had a career-best 25 digs and also tallied 13 kills in the contest.

LOOKING AT THE LOPES
Grand Canyon comes into the match at 11-13 overall and 4-8 in league play. The Lopes went 1-1 last week with their victory coming at home against CBU. As a team, GCU posts 11.63 kills and 16.08 digs per set. Kaira Moss leads the team, averaging 2.23 kills per set while also posting a .258 hitting clip.

When the Lopes and Aggies faced off earlier this season, NM State came out on top, sweeping GCU at the Pan American Center. Moss led the Grand Canyon squad with eight kills while Molly Feldmeth guided the offense with 30 assist. For New Mexico State, Hart tallied a match-high 13 kills while Battle followed closely behind with 10.

SCOUTING THE LANCERS
California Baptist enters the week with a 19-8 overall record and a 9-5 WAC record. The Lancers are on a three-match losing streak after winning eight in-a-row. As a team, CBU ranks second in the league for assists (12.46), kills (13.48), and aces (1.44). Setter Natalie Zimmerer leads the WAC in assists this season with 10.73 per set.

In the first meeting between CBU and NM State, the Lancers prevailed in the five-set thriller that opened conference play. Tesa Oaks led all players with 19 kills while Sydney Marks tallied a match-high eight blocks. Zimmerer recorded a match-best three aces and 52 assists and NM State's Ainsworth was the game leader in digs (16).

COMING UP: BACK IN WACTION
NM State concludes the regular season with a pair of home contests. NM State hosts Kansas City for a match on Thursday, Nov. 15, with first serve at 6 p.m. MT. The Aggies follow the contest by welcoming Chicago State for a special Senior Day match on Saturday, Nov. 17 at 2 p.m.