New Mexico State volleyball took on the second match-up game of the Battle of I-25 Sept. 17 against the University of New Mexico Lobos, coming back from a loss with a win of 3-2 sets.
Despite the previous day’s disappointment, NMSU still holds onto their series record of a 47-33 record against the University of New Mexico – and added another match onto their already 12 game-long home winning streak.
SET 1/5
Blocker Kate Sinclair scored the match’s first pair of points, breaking the ice on the scoreboard. Sinclair is the team leader in blocks this season so far, with 24 in total and a 0.89 block percentage per set.
Lobo Uliana Yastrub scored the first kill against the Aggies, but it was quickly made up for with a following few points, scored by Tess Fuqua.
Fuqua has cemented her place this year as an exceedingly valuable player as she made her first collegiate debut this season after being in ACL injury recovery her entire freshman year.
“I’m really proud of the way she’s [done] pass and serve receive, as she gets stronger coming off of that ACL [injury], she’s going to be a really good player,” Head Coach Mike Jordan said.
UNM fought back hard – taking advantage of three attack and serve errors in a row by the Aggies, which allowed them to draw in to NMSU’s lead breathtakingly close.
Lethal serves from Aggies Nellie Reese and Maggie Lightheart landed the first aces of the game, putting pressure on the Lobos.
Four different UNM players even tallied up double digit kill amounts in this game, but they couldn’t keep pace with a 13-ace sum from NMSU that reached an astounding seven in the final two sets.
The Aggies pulled away from the Lobos and snatched the first set with a score of 25-18 (1-0).
SET 2/5
The second set started off with the Lobos losing quite a few points due to in or out decisions on the court, something that the Aggies noticed and continued to use to their advantage.
Lightheart was no doubt another prominent name of the night, regardless of having a few attack and serve errors, she killed nine of the Lobo’s passes and achieved a total of 10 digs.
“She’s a full-time starter, with a lot of responsibility that’s different from her role in the past,” coach Jordan said. “She’s still having to learn to grow into it.”
This set’s score was never more than three or four points apart, each team chasing each other with riveting passes and blocks, keeping the arena loud and players encouraged.
A set point deciding call challenge for a fingertip touch on NMSU timed out the game for a bit, yet was ultimately ruled as a point for the Aggies.
Although this set’s score sat close, NMSU slipped on their lead; UNM won the match with a final score of 23-25 (1-1).
SET 3/5
Set three started out with two consecutive kill points, both by NMSU’s Kate Sinclair, much to the notice of Assistant Coach Chelsea Rose.
“It’s good to see the young ones, [like] Kate Sinclair stepping up when we need them,” coach Rose said.
UNM quickly acquired their lead, drilling the Aggies with rounds of back-to-back points, leaving them behind early on.
NMSU fought hard to catch up, but the Lobos collected another win in the third set with a score of 18-25 (1-2), leaving NMSU scrambling to even the sets.
SET 4/5
With the help from two aces in the beginning of the fourth set by Nellie Reese and Tess Fuqua, the Aggies grabbed hold of their lead and held the score within a point of the Lobos.
Play was stopped again as NMSU challenged another fingertip call, but the point was ruled no touch and given to UNM, yet the Aggies held steadfast and scored two more aces by Makayla Martinez.
Tensions were high in this set, as fans sat on the edges of their seats and made the arena nearly shake with the volume of their cheers.
“I think they’re playing the best I’ve ever seen,” a longtime Aggie fan said.
Score teetering on another Lobo win, the Aggies pulled off a few astonishing kills and evened the scale to finish the set at 25-23 (2-2).
SET 5/5
As both teams sparred to break the tie, NMSU swiftly found their roll and kept their confidence from the last set, getting ahead of the Lobos quick.
Although UNM was hot on their heels, the Aggies never let go of their lead.
While each team put in their full effort and chased the score back and forth, itching to get to point 15, Maggie Lightheart sealed off the game with two aces in a row, vanquishing the Lobos with a score of 15-7.
“I’m proud of the team, but it was ugly for a while,” coach Jordan said. “We were down, but they fought back and made the plays when they needed [to].”
NMSU volleyball will return at home on Sept. 20 at 7 p.m. against Sam Houston State University.
