LAS CRUCES, N.M. – The New Mexico State volleyball team seeks to make its second-straight appearance in the NCAA Tournament when it heads to Orem, Utah, for the Western Athletic Conference Tournament as the league's regular-season champion and the no. 1 seed. The Aggies will take on the winner of UT Rio Grande Valley and Utah Valley in the WAC semifinals on Friday, Nov. 22, at 6 p.m.

Where to Watch
All the championship action is available with a subscription to ESPN+. The WAC Digital Network will carry a free live stream for international viewers.
 
Quick Hits
• NM State will play the winner of the quarterfinal matchup between UT Rio Grande Valley and Utah Valley in the Western Athletic Conference Tournament semifinals on Friday, Nov. 22, at 6 p.m. The Aggies finished the regular season with a perfect 16-0 record in WAC play.
 
• Nationally, the Aggies rank fifth in blocks per set (2.91) and second in opponent hitting percentage (.116). Julianna Salanoa ranks 20th i blocks per set (1.36) and 17th in total blocks (135) while Megan Hart checks in at 21st in hitting percentage (.398).
 
• NM State leads the conference in hitting percentage (.264), opponent hitting percentage (.116), assists (12.41), kills (13.55)and blocks (2.98).
 
• Megan Hart ranks second in the league with a .398 hitting clip and the redshirt senior is also fifth in blocks (1.03). Julianna Salanoa is second in the WAC with 1.36 blocks per match while leading in total blocks (135) and places third with a .373 hitting percentage. Savannah Davison ranks third for points (4.07) and third in kills (3.53) while Natalie Mikels is second in aces (0.36) and sixth for assists (5.98).
 
• In conference matches alone, the Aggies hold the top spot for hitting percentage (.264), opponent hitting percentage (.108), kills (13.55), blocks (2.91), and assists (12.41).
 
Count 'em Up
At the conclusion of the regular-season, NM State ran away with the WAC postseason awards. After leading the squad to a 25-3 record and a perfect 16-0 record in conference play, head coach Mike Jordan won his ninth Coach of the Year award. The Aggies also wrpped up the regular season on a 17-match winning streak.
 
Redshirt senior Megan Hart was named WAC Player of the Year putting together a monster season. She hit an eye-popping .398 this season with 273 kills on 536 attempts. Her hitting percentage ranked second in the WAC and 22^nd nationally. The Kelowna, BC, Canada, native exploded for a career-high 18 kills against Grand Canyon on Oct. 12, and is on pace to end her career as the programs all-time leader in hitting percentage. The middle blocker also finds herself in the top-10 in NM State history in total blocks and block assists.

Julianna Salanoa earned her first-ever All-WAC nod after a dominant junior season. The Olympia, Wash., native hit 192 kills with a .373. In only WAC matches, Salanoa hit a ridiculous .429 on 226 swings. She stood out defensively, however, as she racked up 135.0 total blocks which ranks 17^th nationally and averaged 1.36 blocks per set to rank 20^th in the nation. The middle blocker also posted a career-high 11 blocks at California Baptist on Oct. 7.

Joining the two Aggie middles on the All-WAC First Team is outside hitter Savannah Davison. The redshirt sophomore was third in the conference in kills per set at 3.53. Overall, she hit .231 on 916 swings with 349 kills. The Toronto, Ontario, native also recorded 10 double-doubles on the season and hit double-digit kills in 22 matches.

D Up
The Aggies run of 17-straight wins and a perfect conference record are no accident. NM State boasts the top defense in the WAC and one of the best defenses in the nation. Anchored by middle blocker Julianna Salanoa, the Aggies rank 7^th nationally in total blocks (288.5), 5^th in blocks per set (2.91) and second in opponent hitting percentage (.116).

Up Next
Should the Aggies win on Friday night, they would then advance to the WAC Championship match on Saturday, Nov. 23, at 7 p.m. That match will be broadcast live on ESPN+.