AUBURN, Ala. – New Mexico State volleyball faced Butler at Auburn Arena as a part of the War Eagle Invitational on Friday. In their first match of the 2019 season, the Aggies swept the Bulldogs 25-14, 25-18, 25-17.

"I was really happy with the defensive effort as a team," head coach Mike Jordan said. "I thought our first contact, other than one stretch, was solid. I'm pleased to see contributions from multiple people. It's a process and we have a lot to learn and a long way to go, but it's a good first step."

HOW IT HAPPENED

NM State (1-0) started the match strong, taking a 12-7 lead, forcing the Butler (0-1) to use an early timeout. The squad held on its lead and a setter dump by Natalie Mikels put the team up by five. Domination continued from the Aggies and the Bulldogs took their final time out of the set with New Mexico State leading 21-14. Following the break in the action, NM State scored four-straight to claim the opening set 25-14.

New Mexico State opened the second set with an 8-3 run that included a service ace by Krysten Garrison. The Bulldogs clawed their way back within a point but an attack error by the opposition put the Crimson and White ahead 11-9. The Aggies pulled away down the stretch and a kill by Cat Kelly put the team ahead 18-12. Butler looked to stall the hot New Mexico State offense with a timeout while NM State held a six-point advantage. However, the Aggies continued to overpower the Bulldogs, taking the second set 25-18.

In the third set, the teams battled point-for-point but a four-point run by the Bulldogs put the Aggie squad behind by 8-4. Following a timeout by New Mexico State, the Aggies tied the set 8-8 with Savannah Davison behind the service line. NM State rattled off three-straight points to go ahead 14-12, before the opposition took a timeout. Unfazed by the stoppage, the Aggies scored six more before an attack error by the Crimson and White broke up the run. Holding the 20-13 lead, New Mexico State kept it momentum late in the set and an attack error by Butler closed out the Aggies' 25-17 victory in the third set and the straight-set win.

BY THE NUMBERS

As a team, New Mexico State hit .236 with 33 total kills while holding Butler to 27 kills and a .074 hitting clip. The Aggies also posted 44 digs, 30  assists and eight aces in the match. Leading the squad with 10 kills was Davison followed by Kelly and Hart with six apiece. Mikels led the squad with 12 assists while Hart had a team-best three blocks. With the victory, NM State claimed its eighth-straight win during a season opener.

NM State continues its run at the War Eagle Invitational when the team takes on tournament host Auburn on Friday, Aug. 30, at 6 p.m. MT.