Led by senior Shaney Lipscomb, the New Mexico State Women’s Volleyball team swept the Seattle University Redhawks, 25-18, 25-20, 25-23, with a strong offensive performance. The Aggies improved to 6-4 in conference play and are making their way to the top of the WAC’s West Division. 

Coming off their losses to Sam Houston and California Baptist, it was crucial for the Aggies to secure a win. Lipsomb was on top of the leaderboard after she earned 13 kills and a .611 hitting percentage. Senior Cat Kelly, junior Katie Birtcil and sophomore Mari Sharp aided the offensive effort with 24 combined kills.  

The Aggies opened their last road match forcefully, spurred by a 5-0 run initiated by a kill from Kelly and a pair of aces by Carly Aigner-Swesey. NMSU regained control after a 6-6 tie and maintained the lead throughout the set. Lipscomb and Birtcil contributed nine of the 16 kills and overpowered the Redhawk defense. A solid defensive effort, led by libero Darian Markham, not only contributed to NM State’s agile offense but also limited SU to a .179 hitting percentage.  

The Redhawks were better prepared in the second set and got off to an early lead. The Aggies responded well with a 8-2 run. Kelly and Lipscomb aided the run by strategically hitting towards holes in the opposing defense. Seattle U rallied several times, but were unable to take the lead. NMSU was powerful behind the service line, patient on the court and gave SU the opportunity to force errors. The set concluded with combined kills from Lipscomb and Kelly. 

The pivotal third set was neck and neck. There were 16 ties within the third frame and, after a string of errors, the Redhawks took the lead at 17-16. Sharp and Lipscomb then led an Aggie 3-0 run but SU kept battling. The score tied up again at 23 but concluded with kills by Lia Mosher and Kelly.  

Although the Aggies were able to remain consistent throughout the match, they were not at the top of their game. It was evident that the players were struggling after being on the road for five consecutive matches. “This has been anything but easy on this group, but it takes what it takes to be successful and win,” Head Coach Mike Jordan said. “We have players who are learning these lessons, too. I’m glad we won and I’m happy we get to go home and get back on our own practice floor. We need it.”  

NM State now returns to the Pan American Center to face off against Dixie State on Nov. 4 at 6 p.m. With only three regular- season WAC matches left, the Aggies look to defeat the Trailblazers for the second time this season.