DENVER – The New Mexico State volleyball team is set to begin its WAC Championship defense against conference newcomer Dixie State in Tucson on Jan. 25 at 3 p.m. (MT) and Jan. 26 at 12 p.m. Both matches will take place at the Sporting Chance Center in Tucson.
 
Where to Watch
All of this week's Aggie volleyball action can be streamed live on the WAC Digital Network.
 
Quick Hitters
 
•NM State led the WAC in hitting percentage (.262), opponent hitting percentage (.122), assists (12.54), kills (13.61) and blocks (2.89).
 
• Three Aggies, Megan Hart, Savannah Davison and Julianna Salanoa were all named First-Team All-WAC last season. Hart was also named WAC Player of the Year, WAC Tournament MVP, AVCA All-Region and AVCA Honorable Mention All-American.
 
•Hart was the ninth All-American coached by Mike Jordan.
 
• Mike Jordan was named Coach of the Year for the 9th time while taking the Aggies to their 11th NCAA Tournament Appearance.
 
• The Aggies have won at least 18 matches for 19-straight seasons.
 
• Savannah Davison and Lia Mosher were both named preseason All-WAC with Davison slated as the preseason Player of the Year.
 
• A season ago, NM State ranked 7th nationally with 2.89 blocks per set and second nationally in opponent hitting percentage (.121).
 
The Other MJ
Through 23 seasons in Las Cruces, head coach Michael Jordan has left his mark. The Aggies have posted at least 18 wins in 19-straight seasons while taking the Aggies to the NCAA Tournament 11 times. Currently, Jordan needs just seven more victories to cross the 500-win plateau with all his victories as head coach coming at New Mexico State.
 
Scouting the Blazers
This weekend's series is the first conference series at the Division I level for Dixie State who is in the first year of a transition from Division 2. Dixie State opened its first D1 campaign with a sweep of Southern Utah on Jan. 22.
 
The Blazers are led by Robyn Felder who is in her ninth year with the program. Last season, Dixie State posted a 20-8 record and a third-place finish in the D-II RMAC with a 14-4 conference record.
 
Last Time Out
NM State opened the spring season with an exhibition win over Arizona, 3-2, in Tucson on Jan. 16. Savannah Davison smashed 17 kills in the victory while freshman Victoria Barrett smashed 14 and made 11 digs. Newcomer Shaney Lipscomb also impressed for NM State with 11 kills in her Aggie debut.