Box Score TUCSON, ARIZ. – After a competitive opening set, the UNLV block proved to be too much for the Aggies in the opening round of the NIVC Tournament as the Rebels defeated NM State 3-0 (25-21, 25-10, 25-22).
 
The Aggies were led in the kill column by Tucson native Katie Birtcil who recorded 10 terminations. Seniors Cat Kelly and Shaney Lipscomb were also effective as they each notched seven kills. On the defensive end, Lindsay Blakey added a pair of blocks, while Carly Aigner-Swesey collected 14 digs.
 
SET ONE | UNLV 25, NM State 21
The Aggies looked like the stronger side early on as they led 9-4 after the first 13 points. NM State looked to build on its lead before a successful UNLV challenge put the score 9-5 and seemed to turn the tide. This would spark a six-point run that gave the Rebels a 10-9 advantage in set one. The Rebels then had back-to-back blocks and a service ace to go ahead 17-12 before a Lia Mosher kicked off a 5-2 run for the Aggies. A Lauryn Burt service ace three kills from UNLV's Kate Brennan were the deciders in the first set as the Aggies fell 21-25.
 
SET TWO | UNLV 25, NM State 10
UNLV's presence at the net was too much for the Aggies in the second set. The Rebels amassed eight total blocks in the second set to put them in position to take a 2-0 lead. In the second set, the Aggies were led by three kills from Katie Birtcil.
 
SET THREE | UNLV 25, NM State 22
After a difficult second set, the Aggies showed real life in the third as they found themselves with a 13-11 lead motored by a pair of kills from Cat Kelly and two kills from Birtcil. A service error from UNLV to put the Aggies ahead 18-17 was one of the few mistakes made by the Rebels down the stretch in the third set. UNLV closed out the match on 5-3 run to put NM State away in three sets.
 
This brings the 2021 season to a close for NM State volleyball, finishing with a 19-10 overall record to go along with a 10-4 record in WAC play.