FRESNO, Calif. – NM State Volleyball continued action from the Bulldog Invitational on Friday night, taking down host Fresno State in four sets. With the win, NM State improved to 4-2 on the year, notching back-to-back victories in Fresno following a five-set thriller against UC Irvine on Thursday.
After splitting the opening two sets, NM State seized control in the third before surviving a late Fresno State rally in the fourth to secure its second victory of the tournament.
Set-by-set: NM State def. Fresno State 3-1 (25-23, 15-25, 25-16, 26-24)
FIRST SET
With the home crowd cheering on the Bulldogs of Fresno State, the Aggies could not separate in the early goings of a first frame that saw nine ties and six lead changes. Trailing 18-17, the Aggies used a 5-0 run fueled by kills from Jaelynn Kohli, Maggie Lightheart and Tess Fuqua to move in front for the duration of the set. Fifth-year Ashley Herman later delivered the set-winning kill to cap an 18-kill opening frame for the Crimson & White and give NM State a 25-23 victory.
SECOND SET
Fresno State responded in the second set, hitting an impressive .545 as a team. Bakersfield, Calif., native Ashley Herman continued to power the Aggie offense with five kills in the frame, but the Bulldogs evened the match with a 25-15 set two win.
THIRD SET
After relinquishing the match advantage, the Aggies returned to the court with renewed energy. Behind service aces from Tess Fuqua, Lilli Saldivar and Maggie Lightheart, NM State built a double-digit advantage and held Fresno State to a negative hitting percentage in the frame. The Aggies rolled into set four ahead two games to one, following a 25-16 victory.
FOURTH SET
NM State raced out to an 8-1 advantage behind three consecutive service aces from Makayla Martinez and never trailed throughout the set. Fresno State battled back to tie the score at 24-24, but the Aggies remained composed. A kill from Tess Fuqua put the Aggies at match point before Ashley Herman delivered the final kill of the night to secure the 26-24 victory and the match.
NUMBERS OF NOTE
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NM State improved to 4-2 on the season and moved to 2-0 at the Bulldog Invitational, closing out the weekend with a match against Southern Utah on Saturday, Sept. 5. This marks the first time the Aggies have won back-to-back games this season.
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Ashley Herman led all Aggies with 14 kills, setting a new career high while hitting an impressive .571, which also marked a season best. The double-digit kill performance was her first since Oct. 19, 2024.
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Tess Fuqua added 11 kills, 13 digs and a service ace to record her second consecutive double-double. After posting just three such instances in 17 matches during the 2025 season, Fuqua has posted two through NM State's first six matches of 2026.
QUOTABLES
Head Coach Mike Jordan, following back-to-back wins:
"I'm proud of the group. We made plays when we needed to and managed to go on some good scoring runs. Our middle [blockers] did a good job and we got another road win, which is great. The challenge now will be playing on short rest tomorrow with very few people in the building. We'll have to count on our bench to step up."
Setter Katrina Catalan, on winning back-to-back games in her home state of California:
"It feels great. Getting the opportunity to come back home and compete is really special, and being able to represent the state of New Mexico while taking back-to-back wins makes it even more meaningful. It's been fun getting to show my home state what New Mexico is all about."
UP NEXT
NM State will conclude play at the Bulldog Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 5, when it takes on Southern Utah inside the North Gymnasium. First serve is scheduled for 12 p.m. MT as the Aggies look to finish the tournament unbeaten.
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