LAS CRUCES, N.M. – New Mexico State volleyball travels to Tucson, Ariz., for the Wildcat Classic from Sept. 14-15 at McKale Memorial Center. The Aggies open the tournament on Friday, Sept. 14 with a match against UC Davis at 1:30 p.m. MT followed by a rematch against tournament host Arizona at 8 p.m. that night. NM State closes the tournament with a match against UT Martin at 11 a.m. on Sept. 15.

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FOLLOW ALONG
Fans can follow along with each of New Mexico State's matches at the weekend tournament by tuning in to the Arizona Live Stream or by viewing the live stats on Statbroadcast.

WEEKLY WARRIOR
Tatyana Battle took home the Aggies first Western Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Week award. The senior averaged 3.47 points and 3.25 kills last week, helping NM State to a 4-0 record. She was named MVP of the SpringHill Suites/Borderland Invitational after playing in every set of every match including a pair of five-set victories. In the Aggies' five-set win over Montana, she posted a double-double with 16 kills and 12 digs. When handing Arizona its only loss this season, Battle finished the match with 14 kills and eight digs and held her composure when it mattered most, clinching match point with a kill off the Wildcat blockers. Against rival UTEP, the outside hitter led the team with 13 kills to go along with five digs, two assists, one block and a service ace.

MAKING HISTORY
NM State took down Arizona at home in a five-set thriller last weekend. With the victory, New Mexico State extended its home-winning streak, which dates back to the 2017 season, to 16 matches. The win is also the program's first over a Power-5 school since defeating North Carolina on Aug. 30, 2008 and the first win at home over a school from a power conference since defeating Texas Tech on Sept. 10, 2003. The victory is also the Aggies first win over Arizona since volleyball became an NCAA sanctioned sport.

LAST TIME OUT
New Mexico State swept the Miners of UTEP in the SpringHill Suites/Borderland Invitational finale on Sunday. NM State posted 43 kills on hitting .340 for the match along with 42 assists and 35 digs. Battle led all players with 13 kills. The senior also notched a .429 hitting percentage in the win. Briana Ainsworth tallied a double-double in the victory when the setter recorded 18 assists and 11 digs

Following the victory, Megan Hart, Ashley Anselmo and Battle were named to the SpringHill Suites/Borderland Invitational All-Tournament Team. Both Anselmo and Hart notched 12 blocks over the weekend to lead the team. Battle posted 43 kills on hitting .276 for the tournament.

GETTING TO KNOW THE OTHER AGGIES
UC Davis enters the weekend with a 7-2 overall record for the season. The Aggies average 14.2 kills and 19.7 digs per set. The team went 2-0 in its last tournament with a four-set win over Boise State and a five-set victory over host Santa Clara.

Emily Allen leads the team with 142 kills for her 2018 campaign. The four-year starting outside hitter has a .209 hitting clip also having appeared in all 33 sets for UC Davis. Maddie Merlino captains the Aggie offense with her 248 assists so far this season. The setter also posts a team-best nine service aces.

LOOKING AT THE WILDCATS
Arizona comes into the tournament at 8-1 and 3-0 in home matches. The Wildcats lone loss came at the hands of the Aggies when NM State defeated Arizona 3-2 at the SpringHill Suites Invitational. As a team, the Wildcats are averaging 15.09 kills per set and 14.58 digs per set for 2018.

Individually, Kendra Dahlke leads the Wildcat squad with 185 kills so far this season.  The senior's 5.61 kills per set ranks second nationally and is first among outside hitters. Julia Patterson leads the team with 386 assists on the season. Both Dahlke and Patterson were named to the SpringHill Suite/Borderland Invitational All-Tournament Team.

SCOUTING THE SKYHAWKS
UT Martin heads into the weekend with a 6-4 record for 2018. The Skyhawks post an 11.98 kills per set average and a 14.93 digs per set average. UTM was pegged by the Ohio Valley Conference's head coaches and sports information directors to finish 11th in the league this season.

Megan Fair leads the Skyhawks with 99 kills followed closely behind by Hannah Phillips, who has tallied 96 so far this season. Defensively, Brooke Gyori leads the squad with 207 digs while Justine Walker notched 33 blocks during UT Martin's first 10 matches.

COMING UP: 
Following the tournament, NM State begins WAC play on the road when the squad faces off against conference newcomer California Baptist at 8 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 20. The Aggies close the weekend at CSU Bakersfield on Saturday, Sept. 22, with first serve scheduled for 1 p.m.