Offensive prowess led the New Mexico State Women’s Volleyball to a 3-0 match win against the Dixie State Trailblazers. With this win, the Aggies rise to first place in the WAC’s West Division standings.  

The Aggies got off to a powerful start in the first set. Junior Katie Birtcil and sophomore Mari Sharp gave the Trailblazer defense much difficulty. Led by senior Megan Treanor, Dixie State battled back but NMSU remained strong. They were patient and pressured DSU to force errors. NM State finished the set 25-19, fueled by forceful swings from seniors Shaney Lipscomb and Cat Kelly.  

The start of the second set mirrored the first and the Aggies’ offense continued to hit through the Trailblazer’s block. Redshirt senior Lia Mosher was a wall at the net with her earned blocks. NMSU played crafty throughout the set and forced the defense to remain guessing. They hit an impressive .650 and, with a final kill by Lipscomb, ended the set 25-14.  

Sharp and Mosher pounded in a pair of kills and it appeared as though the Aggies were going to finish the third set quickly. With consecutive kills from Birtcil and an ace from libero Darian Markham, NMSU rose to 22-16. The Trailblazers then got off to a 8-2 run and tied matters at 24s. The final points were back and forth until DSU forced an error and Mosher tipped the ball over the block and ended the match 28-26.  

Senior setter Carly Aigner- Swesey connected well with the hitters and earned 41 assists and helped the offense hit .366.  

After the game, Head Coach Mike Jordan spoke on the team’s third set struggles.  

“We didn’t play very good defense for stretches, which we had been doing in the first sets, and gave away those opportunities to score,” said Jordan.