LAS CRUCES, N.M. – With the regular season start date less than a week away, NM State fans got to see their squad tighten the last screws as they swept Western New Mexico in an exhibition match on Saturday afternoon.
 
A 3-0 win (25-12, 25-16, 25-15) was highlighted by double-digit kill efforts from Katie Birtcil and Molly Johnson. Both Birtcil and Johnson posted 10 kills while middle blocker Lia Mosher chipped in with six successful attacks herself.
 
Those attackers were set up by great ball positioning from setters Rylee Fay and Bianca Perez, whom each finished the day with 14 assists. Perez also shined on the defensive end as she notched 14 digs to post a double-double against the Mustangs. Defensively, the Aggies were led at the net by Johnson and freshman Taylor Snow who collected two block assists apiece.
 
"I thought we played hard defensively," stated Head Coach Mike Jordan. "We're athletic and we're deep so those are good things."
 
As a team, the Aggies hit an impressive percentage of .293 while holding Western New Mexico to a mere .036 hitting percentage. The Aggies were also extremely effective from the service line – tallying nine service aces across the three-set match.
 
With the regular season on the horizon, NM State now turns their attention to the first weekend of play which will feature matches against Alabama State, Arizona and LIU Brooklyn as they compete in the Wildcat Classic in Tucson, Ariz., on Aug. 26-27.
 
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