LAS CRUCES, N.M. – The New Mexico State volleyball team goes for its 10th and 11th-straight wins and looks to remain undefeated in Western Athletic Conference play when it hosts Utah Valley on Thursday, Oct. 24, at 6 p.m. and Seattle U on Saturday, Oct. 26, at 2 p.m.
Where to Watch
Fans unable to attend this weekend's matches can catch the Aggies on a number of different stations. Thursday's match with the Wolverines will be broadcast live on FOX Sports Arizona+ and FOX College Sports Pacific. Saturday's match against Seattle U is set to broadcast on FOX Sports Arizona, FOX Sports Southwest and FOX College Sports Pacific.
The game is also available on live stream via the WAC Digital Network.
Follow Along
Both this weekend's home matches will have live stats available through StatBroadcast.
Defensive Domination
While building a 17-3 record, NM State has dominated on the defensive side. The Aggies lead the nation in opponent hitting percentage (.098) while ranking fourth in blocks per set (3.03) and eighth in total blocks (209.0).
With You in the Middle
The Aggie duo of Julianna Salanoa and Megan Hart has been unstoppable in the middle for NM State and they both find themselves ranked top-20 nationally. Hart leads the WAC in hitting percentage at .421 which ranks her 16th in the nation. Salanoa has been a brick wall defensively, as she ranks 12th nationally in blocks per set (1.43) and 15th in total blocks (99), both of which lead the WAC.
 Scouting the Wolverines
Utah Valley visits the Pan American center on a two match winning streak with an 8-12 overall record and a 5-3 record in WAC play. The two sides last met on Sept. 26 in Orem with NM State taking down the Wolverines 3-1. Sophomore outside hitter Cat Kelly posted a career-high 17 kills in that match.
UVU boasts arguably the best outside hitter in the conference in Kazna Tarawhiti. She currently sits in second in the WAC in kills with 268 and leads in the league in kills per set at 3.83. As a team, however, the Wolverines struggle as they are hitting just .190 so far this season.
Utah Valley is solid on the defensive side of the ball as it ranks third in the conference in opponent hitting percentage (.193) and second to the Aggies in blocks (2.39).
A Look at the Redhawks
Seattle U is currently 10-12 with a 1-7 WAC record and they take on UT Rio Grande Valley on Oct. 24 before visiting Las Cruces. NM State swept the Redhawks 25-16, 25-19, 25-13 in the first matchup between the dies in Seattle. Megan Hart posted 13 kills and Julianna Salanoa added five blocks.
Seattle U's offense is led by outside hitter Eve Kerschenbaum whose 258 kills rank third in the conference. As a team, the Redhawks rank seventh in hitting percentage (.183) and eighth in kills per set (11.90).
Last Time Out
NM State hit the road for a pair of WAC matches against Kansas City on Oct. 17 and Chicago State on Oct. 19. The Aggies ended the trip with their eighth and ninth-straight wins and remained unbeaten in WAC play.
Against the Roos Savannah Davison had a monster match, posting a double-double with 16 kills and 14 digs. Cat Kelly also recorded a double-double in the 3-1 win as she notched 14 kills and 11 digs.
Then, the Aggies recorded a sweep at Chicago State for their ninth-straight win. Kelly and Davison both posted 11 kills while Julianna Salanoa added six.
Up Next
The Aggies stay in the friendly confines of the Pan American Center when they welcome WAC foe California Baptist on Monday, Oct. 28, at 6 p.m. (MT). As always, students receive free entry with a valid student I.D.
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