RICHMOND, Ky. – The New Mexico State volleyball team held Western Carolina to jus t.054 hitting on its way to a straight set victory, 25-16, 25-17, 25-16, at the Colonel Challenge in Richmond, Ky., on Friday afternoon. The Aggies have been dominant in Richmond, as they have yet to drop a set.
 
"Good effort from us after getting no rest before our second match of the day," said head coach Mike Jordan. "Kalli [Schoening] and Lia [Mosher] did a solid job blocking and we dug it pretty well. We're young at some key spots and we just need to keep working to play the game more balanced on both sides of the ball."
 
After falling behind 5-2 in the first frame, NM State (5-3, 0-0 WAC) bounced back and took a 15-9 lead into the media timeout. The Aggies kept up the pressure and eventually cruised to the 25-16 set one final. Western Carolina hit just -.024 in the frame as NM State racked up four blocks.
 
Much like the first set, NM State, playing in its second match of the day, fell behind 7-3 and was forced to call a timeout early on in the second set. Out of the timeout, the Aggies immediately ripped off an 8-2 run to regain the lead at 11-9. After the Catamounts tied it up at 11, NM State finished the set strong and took the set 25-17. The Aggies were on fire in the second frame, hitting .429 with Victoria Barrett accounting for six Aggie kills.
 
NM State wasted no time in the third set and raced out to a 12-5 lead before eventually winning the set 25-16. The Aggies held WCU to .000 hitting in the third set and recorded five blocks while Cat Kelly, Shaney Lipscomb and Barrett recording three kills apiece.
 
As a team, NM State hit .259 and notched 10 blocks while holding Western Carolina to .054 hitting. Kalli Schoening was a brick wall, putting up a career-high seven blocks. On the offensive end, Lipscomb paced NM State 11 kills and a .345 hitting percentage with Barrett adding nine kills and eight digs. Lia Mosher continued her streak of games hitting above .310 as she finished with a .538 hitting percentage and seven kills to run her streak to 11 matches.
 
Senior setter Carly Aigner-Swesey recorded her fifth double-double of the season with 15 assists and 10 digs as freshman Alana Embry dished out 18 dimes. Libero Darian Markham was making plays all day as she led NM State with 20 digs.
 
NM State now set its sight on Western Illinois in its final game at the Colonel Challenge, tomorrow, Sept. 11, at 9 a.m. (MT). There is no stream for tomorrow's match but Aggie fans can follow all the action as it happens with live stats.