Volleyball: Aggies Show Fight in Season Opener Against Tulsa

Las Cruces natives Maggie Lightheart and Tess Fuqua tally double-digit kills; NM State returns to the Pan Am on Saturday for match with California Baptist.

Source: NMSU Athletics
By Izzy Palmisano
Photos By Rodney Hunter for NMSU: Courtesy

LAS CRUCES, N.M. – NM State Volleyball officially opened the 2026 season on Friday night inside the Pan American Center, welcoming Tulsa for the opening match of the NMSU Volleyball Jamboree. Facing a Golden Hurricane squad that reached the NCAA Tournament a season ago, the Aggies battled throughout the evening, capturing the second set before ultimately falling 3-1. 

“It was a great crowd, great energy. I was happy with our team’s energy and our effort level. This is a team that won 25 matches last year and made the NCAA Tournament.”

~NM State Head Coach Mike Jordan

Despite the result,  NM State showed promise in their first official contest of the year, finishing with more kills (48-44) and digs (50-46) than Tulsa, while also recording a better hitting percentage, pushing the visitors deep in both the third and fourth sets.  

Set-by-set: NM State loses 1-3 (20-25, 25-13, 21-25, 22-25)  

FIRST SET 
The first point of the season went the way of the Aggies, as true freshman setter Paige Nelson set sophomore Jaelynn Kohlifor a kill. However, a 10-3 run by the Golden Hurricane forced NM State Head Coach Mike Jordan into a timeout to refocus his team. The Crimson & White battled back in the set, making it a 22-20 contest following a combo block by Maggie Lightheart and Mia Fox, though Tulsa would claim the last three points and win set one 25-20.  

SECOND SET 
The Aggies returned to the court in set two with renewed energy, using stingy defense and smart offense to take a 15-11 lead heading into the media timeout. The Crimson & White lead grew as large as 21-11 before eventually claiming the second set by a score of 25-13 – the largest set win for either team on Friday night. In the frame, the Aggies posted 13 kills while hitting .357 and held Tulsa to just eight kills and a .031 hitting percentage.  

“I thought Makayla Martinez was sensational passing and digging it today, 20 digs, impressive. I thought our outside hitters were coming and going, but I think everyone did a pretty decent job. It was a good team effort, we just gotta clean up our side a little bit and it’ll be okay.” 

~NM State Head Coach Mike Jordan

THIRD SET 
The third frame proved to be one of the night’s most competitive sets, as NM State totaled 15 kills and remained within striking distance throughout, but the Golden Hurricane answered several Aggie rallies to maintain control. After trading points deep into the set, the Golden Hurricane escaped with a 25-21 win to take a 2-1 set advantage. 

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FOURTH SET 
The final set featured seven ties and five lead changes as both teams traded momentum throughout the frame. A rowdy Aggie crowd set the stage for a thrilling back-and-forth affair. The Aggies continued to fight until the final whistle, but the visitors secured the set, 25-22, and ultimately the match victory, three sets to one.  

NUMBERS OF NOTE 

• NM State opened its 2026 season against Tulsa in the first match of the NMSU Volleyball Jamboree. This became the first time the Aggies opened a year of competition in Las Cruces since Jan. 25, 2021 (vs. Utah Tech).  
• The Aggies finished with a 48-44 advantage in kills, while also holding the edge in digs (50-46) and hitting percentage during the four-set match.  
• Maggie Lightheart and Tess Fuqua shared the team lead with 13 kills each – the highest by any player on either team on Friday.  
• McKayla Martinez recorded a match-high 20 digs, the first time the junior libero has recorded 20 or more digs since Oct. 3, 2025, against Sam Houston (23 digs). 
• First-year Aggie Paige Nelson paced the team with 24 assists while making her first colleigate start, while fellow first-year and UC Santa Barbara transfer Katrina Catalanadded 16 assists.  
• Junior middle blocker Mia Fox recorded five total blocks against the Golden Hurricane, leading the Aggies while finishing with at least five total blocks for the sixth time in her NM State career.  
• True freshman outside hitter Lilli Saldivar got the starting nod in her first official competition in the Crimson & White, contributing eight kills and two block assists.  
• Outside hitter Tess Fuqua finished tied for the team lead with 13 kills, while adding one of two NM State aces on the night. This gives Fuqua a four-match active streak with at least one service ace – the longest on the team.  

“We’re really excited to be here and playing officially. We’re gonna work hard and keep going.”

~Maggie Lightheart

UP NEXT 
NM State will continue play at the NMSU Volleyball Jamboree on Saturday, Aug. 29, when they welcome California Baptist to the Pan American Center. First serve is set for 6 p.m. MT as the Aggies look to earn their first victory of the 2026 campaign. 

For complete coverage of NM State Volleyball, follow us on Twitter (@NMStateVBall), Instagram (@NMStateVBall) and like us on Facebook (NM State Volleyball). You can also follow along with Aggie Volleyball via NMStateSports.com.