First Serve
The Aggies' trip to the desert will open up with a neutral site matchup against Alabama State on Friday, Aug. 26, at Noon (MT). Later that evening, NM State will take on host Arizona with the match set to begin at 7:30 p.m. The Aggies wrap up their weekend with a contest versus LIU Brooklyn on Saturday, Aug. 27, at 1:30 p.m.
 
Where to Watch
Fans can purchase tickets to matches via Arizona's website - arizonawildcats.com.
 
Those who are unable to attend can view the match live on the Pac-12 Network and can follow along with in-game stats via a Live Stats broadcast.
 
Follow Along
Fans unable to watch the matches can keep up with live stats thanks to StatBroadcast.

Weekend Notes
• The Aggies will open up the regular season on the campus of The University of Arizona as they compete in three matches across two days
 
• This will mark the second-straight season that Head Coach Mike Jordan and his squad kickoff their year in Tucson after opening the year 2-1 with wins over UC San Diego and Marist to start last year's campaign.
 
• NM State brings back three starters in Preseason WAC Player of the Year Katie Birtcil, Preseason All-WAC selection Lia Mosher and dominant outside hitter Mari Sharp.
 
• Last season, Birtcil paced the Aggies in kills per set (3.66) and points per set (4.08) while maintaining a solid .277 hitting percentage. She appeared in all 29 games while notching 17 starts.
 
• Entering her sixth season in Las Cruces, Mosher also adds to the front row of the Aggies and looks to cap off a stellar career after coming off a season in which she started all 29 matches and ranked first in the WAC in hitting percentage (.399) while ranking third in total points (283.5) and total kills (224).
 
• In the offseason, the Aggies bolstered their lineups with several stout transfers including Molly Johnson (Michigan State), Rylee Fay (Missouri State), Ryleigh Whitekettle (Houston), Kacia Brown (Iowa) and Jayde Shelton (Blinn College).
 
• NM State is looking for its second win over a Power 5 program in as many years after knocking off Big Ten foe Northwestern in five sets at home last season.
 
• The Aggies won their third-straight WAC Regular Season Championship during the Fall 2021 season and sixth in the last seven years behind a 10-4 regular season league record.
 
• Last season, NM State ranked 35th nationally with a .254 hitting percentage while also finishing among the top-50 in opponent hitting percentage (.174, 45th)
 
• Both Mosher and Birtcil also enter the year on the heels of First Team All-WAC selections for their play in Fall 2021.
   
Scouting Alabama State
• Alabama State finished with a 16-17 overall record a season ago. However, the Lady Hornets did finish 12-4 in SWAC play.
 
• The Wildcats boast a trio of Preseason All-SWA selections in Kalysia Bates, Mahogany Vinson and Jada Rhodes. Bates and Vinson each stand at 6-1 and were selected Preseason First Team All-SWAC while Rhodes, a 5-8 outside hitter, reigned in second team honors.
 
• Rhodes also led the attack for Alabama State last season - averaging 2.77 kills per set on .209 hitting. Meanwhile, Bates chipped in 2.50 kills per set while managing a .333 hitting percentage.
 
A Look at Arizona
• The Wildcats are coming off a year in which they finished with a 17-16 overall record and an 8-12 mark in Pac-12 play. They will also make their regular season debut  on Aug. 26 when they face off with LIU Brooklyn at 10 a.m.
 
• Arizona's top three attackers return for the 2022 season, including kills-per-set leader Jaelyn Hodge who posted 3.27 kills per set during her sophomore season.
 
Scouting LIU Brooklyn
• Coached by Ken Ko, the Sharks posted a 13-14 record in 2021 while finishing 10-4 in the NEC. Ahead of this season, the Sharks were selected to finish second in the NEC Preseason Poll.
 
• The Sharks leading returner in kills per set is senior outside hitter Karolina Nova who posted 3.07 kills per set in 2021.
 
Up Next
NM State will travel to the east coast for the Wildcat Classic hosted by Davidson on Sept. 2-3. While in North Carolina, the Aggies will clash with Lindenwood, North Carolina A&T and Davidson.