New Mexico State University Athletics

LAS CRUCES, N.M. – NM State Volleyball returned to the Pan American Center on Friday night, defeating UC San Diego in five sets in its second match of the Borderland Classic. Behind a career night from sophomore outside hitter Jaelynn Kohli, the Crimson & White produced 68 kills and improved to 5-4 on the year while earning their second five-set victory of the season. 

  

Set-by-set: NM State def. UC San Diego 3-2 (24-26, 25-20, 20-25, 25-23, 15-11) 

  

FIRST SET 

Following a three-set loss on Thursday night, the Aggies came out strong and built an 18-12 behind 3 kills on 4 attempts from junior Mia Fox. UC San Diego continued to fight, chipping away at the deficit and eventually forcing extra points. NM State battled through ties at 22-22, 23-23 and 24-24, before the Tritons escaped with a 26-24 win. 

  

SECOND SET 

NM State responded during the second frame, hitting .379 while notching a trio of aces at the service line. After an opening set that featured 11 ties and eight lead changes, the Aggies broke the game open with an 11-5 run. Ashley Herman led the offense with five kills on a .556 hitting percentage, while Tess Fuqua chipped in four kills and a service ace. A block from Katie Funk and Ashley Herman sealed the 25-20 win to even the match at one set apiece. 

 

THIRD SET 

The Tritons grabbed momentum in the third set and jumped out to an early lead (8-2). Kohli paced the offense with nine kills in the frame, as the Crimson & White produced 16 total in the third set. Despite a late push that cut the deficit from nine to two, UC San Diego held on for a 25-20 victory. 

  

FOURTH SET 

Down two sets to one, the Aggies dug deep, with one of their most complete sets of the night. Trailing 10-6, a 7-1 run punctuated by a Lilli Saldivar ace forced a UC San Diego timeout as NM State took a 17-8 advantage. The Tritons made a late rally, but Maggie Lightheart delivered the match-extending kill as NM State claimed a 25-23 victory. In the frame, NM State held UC San Diego to a .194 attacking percentage.  


FIFTH SET  

The deciding frame saw the two teams trading points as the score reached 9-9. The Aggies then found another gear offensively, turning in their most efficient set of the night with a .467 hitting percentage. Back-to-back points from Jaelynn Kohli helped create separation, while blocks from Ashley Herman, Tess Fuqua and Mia Fox highlighted a pivotal NM State run. Kohli ultimately delivered the match-clinching kill as the Aggies secured the 15-11 victory. 

  

NUMBERS OF NOTE  

• The Aggies totaled 68 kills, marking a season high and their highest single-match output since recording 68 kills against New Mexico on Sept. 17, 2025.
• Jaelynn Kohli led all Aggies with 19 kills, a new career high. This becomes the highest single-match kill total for the Crimson & White this season.  
• Ashley Herman joined Kohli in tallying a new career high with 15 kills while hitting .344, reaching double-digit kills for her fifth straight match. 
• Mia Fox tallied a season-high 11 kills on 17 swings – her most in a match this season. The junior from Augusta, Kan., also added three total blocks on the night. 
• Tess Fuqua finished with seven kills, tying the team lead with two service aces and two block assists. 
• The Aggies posted 62 assists against UC San Diego – a new season high – with setters Katrina Catalan and Paige Nelson each recording 26. 
• Sadie Ross played in a pair of sets in the win over the Tritons, recording her first collegiate kill in the fourth set, bringing NM State to set point, 24-21. She becomes the 12th different Aggie to record a kill this season. 

 

QUOTABLES  

 

Head Coach Mike Jordan, following the five-set victory on Friday night:  

"I'm glad we came back, that's a good sign. We play hard defensively; we just don't play hard offensively. We put ourselves in these predicaments, but I'm glad we pulled out the win." 

 

Setter Katrina Catalan, on the team's performance in the win over UC San Diego:  

"I think we played really scrappy defense. These last couple games I think we have struggled with passing, but we were able to get our hitters in system, and when they're in system they can put a ball away." 

 

Outside Hitter Jaelynn Kohli, on what worked to help her to a career high 19 kills:  

"Staying connected with my setter, doing what we can to get past the [UC San Diego] block, they were a big team." 

 

Outside Hitter Jaelynn Kohli, on how the team prepares for their seventh game in 10 days:  

"Short turnaround, we go home, we get rest, we watch film and come back here tomorrow ready to play." 

 

 

UP NEXT 

NM State will conclude play at the Borderland Classic on Saturday, Sept. 12, playing host to Pacific inside the Pan American Center. First serve is scheduled for 6 p.m. MT, with the match streamed live on ESPN+, with live stats available at nmstatesports.com/stats. 

For complete coverage of NM State Volleyball, follow us on Twitter (@NMStateVBall), Instagram (@NMStateVBall) and like us on Facebook (NM State Volleyball). You can also follow along with Aggie Volleyball via NMStateSports.com.  

 

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