SEATTLE – A performance for the ages from Molly Johnson gave NM State (13-11, 5-7 WAC) the lift it needed to put a halt to a four-match losing streak as they topped Seattle U (4-16, 0-12 WAC) in five sets (22-25, 25-20, 25-22, 27-19, 15-13).

"Molly showed up today and made things happen," said Head Coach Mike Jordan. "We needed every bit of it too because a whole host of others didn't do much offensively for us. She and Kaylee Peterson, who scored quite a few points at the line in crunch time, had fantastic performances when others were missing."
 
Graduate transfer Molly Johnson put together numbers in a single match that many would be happy with posting across three or four matches as she finished with 37 kills, 21 digs, four blocks and one ace while hitting a .420 clip. The 37-kill outing marked the most kills for an Aggie in a single set in program history.
 
Meanwhile, Jayde Shelton also turned in a career-best total as she finished with 11 kills on just 27 swings. Additionally, Mari Sharp's stat line finished just two kills shy of a double-double (8 kills, 16 digs) and Rylee Fay posted a new career-high in assists with 36.
 
SET ONE
Entering the day in must-win mode, the Aggies came out somewhat slow as the first four points of the match landed in favor of the Redhawks.
 
The Aggies would eventually climb back to within one (10-9) following an ace from Taylor Snow. Seattle U responded by scoring three straight to go back out front by four points.
 
NM State would later tie the set at 17 points, but Seattle U use its third three-point run of the set to claim an 18-21 advantage. This would put the Aggies in a hole they would be unable to climb out of as they fell 25-22.
 
SET TWO
After NM State allowed Seattle U to get out to a 2-0 start in the set, the Aggies stormed back by scoring nine of the next 11 points to go ahead 9-4. The strong start was highlighted by three kills from Molly Johnson and a pair of points from Lia Mosher.
 
A four-point Aggie run just moments later would extend the NM State lead to eight points. Just when the Aggies looked to be in control, Seattle U managed to claw their way back into the set as they reduced NM State's lead to three points.
 
Fortunately, the Aggie cushion proved to be enough as NM State would take the set, 25-20.
 
SET THREE
The opening two frames would set the tone for the third game as neither side would be able to build a lead larger than two points until Seattle U went out front 19-16 late in the set.
 
NM State would remain in the trail position until a three-point run that was kickstarted by a Jayde Shelton kill pulled the Aggies even with the Redhawks.
 
This would also turn out to be the start of a 7-1 run that the Aggies would use to pick up the 25-22 set win.
 
SET FOUR
For the fourth consecutive time, Seattle U would score the first point of the set as they took an early 5-2 lead.
 
Later, Ryleigh Whitekettle stacked up a trio of kills amidst a five-point Aggie scoring streak to put Mike Jordan's squad in the driver's seat – leading 9-6.
 
However, Seattle U would score five of the ensuing six points to retake the lead (11-10). From this point in the set, the score would teeter back and forth before leaving the two sides tied at 24 points and thus guaranteeing additional points needing to be played.
 
Despite extra motivation from the NM State women's soccer team who was in the crowd as they are in Seattle chasing their first-ever WAC Tournament title, the Aggies eventually dropped the extended set, 29-27.
 
SET FIVE
The Aggies were finally able to turn the tide in the fifth set as they scored the first point of the game for the first time. They used this to propel themselves to a 4-1 lead in a set that would conclude at 15 points.
 
Seattle U would fight back to draw even with the Aggies at five points apiece, but it was at this point that Molly Johnson put the Aggies on her back – registering three kills to give the Aggies an 8-6 advantage.
 
Johnson's 36^th kill would put the Aggies in position to serve with match point on the line and a three-point lead in hand. Seattle U would fend off NM State for a pair of points, however, Johnson would tally another kill to lift the Aggies to their 13^th win of the season.
 
MATCH NOTABLES

• After a career night on Thursday, Molly Johnson only improved her case for a WAC Offensive Player of the Week bid. Not only were her 37 kills the most by an Aggie in program history, that mark also stacks up against hitters from across the nation as only two other attackers at the Division I level have recorded more in a single match than Johnson did tonight. South Dakota's Elizabeth Juhnke recorded 39 kills on 71 attacks and Delaware's Lani Mason tallied 38 kills on 74 attacks. For reference, Johnson finished the match with 69 swings.
• Jayde Shelton had a breakthrough night as she finished with double-digit kills for the first time in her career – posting 11 kills and a .259 hitting percentage.
• Many of Johnson and Shelton's kills came directly off Rylee Fay's setups as she notched a career-high 36 assists, finishing the night with one more assist than she has ever recorded in a single match.
• Fueled by Johnson's .420 hitting percentage, the Aggies finished the night with a season-high .363 hitting percentage. The Aggies also posted season highs in kills (70) and attempts (193) while equaling their season-best in digs (86). 

UP NEXT
The Aggies will look to use this win to help close out the season on a strong note as they return home for matches against Tarleton and Abilene Christian on Thursday and Saturday, respectively.
 
Additionally, Saturday's tilt against the Wildcats will mark senior night for four Aggies – Kaleigh Thomas, Molly Johnson, Katie Birtcil and Lia Mosher.