The New Mexico State Women’s Volleyball team earned their eighth Western Athletic Conference Regular Season Champion title in the West Division. The team defeated Chicago State on their Senior Day on Saturday Nov. 13 in four sets, to clinch the title. 

Led by hitters Shaney Lipscomb and Katie Birtcil, setter Carly Aigner-Swesey and libero Darium Markham, the Aggies went 19-8 overall and 10-4 in conference games. In conference play, they only fell to Grand Canyon, Sam Houston and California Baptist.  

According to WAC Sports, the Aggies sit at the top of the leaderboard in hitting percentage and kills with an impressive .264 and 734 kills. Junior Katie Birtcil also ranks as second in the highest kill category with 221 kills in conference games.  

In addition to Birtcil and Lipscomb, the offensively dominant Aggies also depend on Lia Mosher, Cat Kelly and Mari Sharp to score their points. Assisted by their setter Carly Aigner-Swesey, the NMSU starting hitters have remained consistent throughout the season and managed to continually shatter previous records.  

Head Coach Mike Jordan has turned the Aggies into a very successful team and headed into his 25th season already the winningest volleyball coach in program history. Under his guidance, Katie Birtcil earned “WAC Player of the Week” in September and Lia Mosher received “WAC Defensive Player of the Week” in November.  

The WAC Tournament returns to the Pan American on Thursday, Nov. 18. Despite becoming regular season champs, the Aggies were seeded No. 2 behind Sam Houston University. They will face off against Utah Valley Thursday at 7 p.m. and must win that match and two later ones in order to be crowned WAC Tournament Champions.