The New Mexico State volleyball team managed to extend their Pan American Center winning streak to 19 Thursday night, topping Utah Valley 25-20, 25-27, 25-20, 26-24 behind a stellar group effort by the Aggies.

NM State shared the wealth, with five players registering double digit kills on their way to an impressive 68 on a .242 hitting clip, compared to just 49 kills on a .167 hitting clip for a Utah Valley team that couldn’t keep up with the Aggies’ hot hitting.

After a slow start in the opening set, NM State took advantage of some offensive mistakes by the Wolverines, who picked up just nine kills on a .083 hitting clip, with a late a scoring run to come back from 17-12 down to seal the deal 25-20.

The Aggies wouldn’t be so lucky in the second set despite registering a match-high 20 kills, allowing UVU to take advantage of some shoddy defense for their lone win in the match by a score of 27-25.

“We scored points for them, whacking the ball out of bounds,” head coach Mike Jordan said. “We had trouble stopping their lefts in [this set]. I think they combined for 13 kills.”

Utah Valley got off to another hot start in the third set with a 7-1 lead, but the Aggies’ reclaimed momentum after a timeout, scoring six straight to pull back even in what would end up being another back and forth game for NM State. Jordan’s squad held onto their slight advantage to secure another 25-20 win.

Neither team could pull ahead in the well-contested fourth set, but outside hitter Savannah Davison came through with a strong kill to set up match point for the Aggies. A Utah Valley error on the ensuing point would clinch the final set for New Mexico State, 26-24.

Tatyana Battle starred for the Aggies, earning her 12th double-double of the season with 18 kills and 21 digs — both good for team highs. Savannah Davison earned her sixth double-double of the season with 17 kills and 16 digs while Megan Hart and Brianna Ainworth also added double-doubles performances. Hart finished with 12 kills and 11 digs, while Ainsworth had 25 assists and 11 digs.

The win pushes NM State’s current home win streak to the program’s second longest of all-time, trailing only the 29-game home win streak achieved from 2005-2007, which included a perfect record of 18-0 in the Pan American Center in 2006.

“I wish we could play every game at home,” Jordan said. “It’s great. We’ve got some really hardcore fans, and we see them around and we appreciate them.”

NM State’s victory also improve their record in Western Athletic Conference play to 6-2, good enough for joint-first place with California Baptist University.

“We’re playing for seeding, we’re playing to get better right now,” said Jordan, “But the fact that we’re in contention… I’m proud.”

The Aggies take the hardwood again this Saturday when they host CSU Bakersfield for another WAC weekend showdown.