The Aggies finish a 3-0 weekend in Fresno behind a 15-kill performance from Jaelynn Kohli.
Source: NMSU Athletics
By Izzy Palmisano
Photos: Courtesy
FRESNO, Calif. – NM State Volleyball finished off a perfect weekend at the Bulldog Invitational Saturday afternoon, defeating Southern Utah in four sets. The victory marked the Aggies’ third win at the Bulldog Invitational as they wrapped play in Fresno with an unblemished 3-0 record.
Three Aggies reached double-digit kills, including a career-high day for Jaelynn Kohli, finishing with 15 kills, while NM State hit .287 as a team and totaled nine service aces.
FIRST SET
The Aggies came out hot in their third and final day in Fresno, racing to a 9-1 lead behind strong serving from Maggie Lightheartand efficient attacking from Ashley Herman and Jaelynn Kohli. Southern Utah chipped away at the deficit late, but Ashley Herman‘s six kills helped NM State maintain control and secure a 25-21 opening-set victory.
“It felt so good to be back in California! I had a bunch of family and even a former coach came and supported and that is just the best feeling. It was a long weekend, but this team fought through all of it, and it was great to come out with a sweep.”
~Outside Hitter Ashley Herman
SECOND SET
The second frame proved to be the tightest of the afternoon, featuring 11 ties and four lead changes. Despite battling through four consecutive ties at 22-22, 23-23, 24-24 and 25-25, Southern Utah narrowly escaped with a 27-25 win to even the match at one set apiece. Notably, the setback marked NM State’s third consecutive second-set loss at the Bulldog Invitational, despite the Aggies going on to win all three matches.
THIRD SET
NM State responded with a strong third-set performance, hitting .367 in the stanza – their most efficient set of the match – while limiting Southern Utah to just .103. Jaelynn Kohli recorded four kills, Kate Sinclair added three on perfect hitting, and NM State rolled to a 25-17 victory.
“It was a really solid weekend for us, it felt great to go 3-0. It was tough on us today with an early game after a late one last night and then to only have one day of rest before we head up to UNM Monday night.”
~Head Coach Mike Jordan
FOURTH SET
In the fourth and final set, the Aggies completed the victory with an impressive fourth-set performance. Service aces from Paige Nelson, Katrina Catalan and Makayla Martinez helped create separation, while Jaelynn Kohli tallied five kills to pace the offense. NM State finished the afternoon on an 11-6 run before Lilli Saldivar put the final point away, securing a 25-16 victory and a perfect 3-0 showing at the Bulldog Invitational.
“Securing three wins this weekend is a great feeling, I love playing with these girls and I’m so proud of all the work we’ve done over the weekend. It may not have been pretty but we played together till the end. Leading the team in kills is something I work for every game, but I wouldn’t be able to do that without the rest of the girls.”
~Outside Hitter Jaelynn Kohli
NUMBERS OF NOTE
- NM State finished the Bulldog Invitational with a perfect 3-0 record, defeating UC Irvine, Fresno State and Southern Utah.
- The Aggies improved to 3-2 on the year and secured its first three-match winning streak since Oct. 24-31, 2025.
- Jaelynn Kohli lead NM State with 15 kills and six total blocks while adding an season high .429 hitting percentage.
- Ashley Herman added 13 kills while hitting an impressive .526, marking her third consecutive match with both a hitting percentage above .500 and double-digit kills.
- Maggie Lightheart finished with 12 kills and three service aces, a new season high.
- Mia Fox recorded six kills on eight swings and hit .750 for the match.
- Katrina Catalan and Paige Nelson combined for 41 assists and four service aces, with both setters posting their fourth consecutive match with at least 20 assists.
- The Aggies totaled 59 kills, their fourth consecutive match with at least 55 kills.
- NM State hit .287, a season high, as a team while holding Southern Utah to a .195 attacking percentage.
- The Aggies registered nine service aces and 13 total blocks, tying the season high, in the victory.
UP NEXT
NM State will return on Monday, Sept. 7, for a rivalry matchup against New Mexico. The Aggies enter the match riding a perfect 3-0 weekend at the Bulldog Invitational. First serve is scheduled for 6 p.m. MT at the Johnson Center in Albuquerque.
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