Volleyball: Aggies Outlast Middle Tennessee in Five Sets

NM State claims its first five-set Conference USA road victory after winning the first, fourth and fifth sets.

Source: NMSU Athletics
By Izzy Palmisano
Photos: Courtesy

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – NM State Volleyball closed out its weekend series against Middle Tennessee with a thrilling five-set victory on Saturday afternoon inside the Alumni Memorial Gymnasium. After falling in Friday’s opener, the Aggies bounced back by winning three tightly contested sets and holding off the Blue Raiders in the decisive fifth frame to earn a 3-2 victory. 

FIRST SET 

The opening frame featured 12 ties and eight lead changes as neither side could gain control early. Maggie Lightheart tallied five kills while Tess Fuqua added three and Kate Sinclair chipped in a pair of kills. A late 4-1 Aggie run helped NM State break a 15-15 tie before Lightheart delivered the final two points in a 25-21 victory. 

“Lilli Saldivar went on a great serve and dig run in the 4th that literally dug us out of a hole then Jaelynn Kohli and Ashley Hermanstarted scoring. Maggie Lightheart and Bella Castro played really well. Good team road win.” 

~Head Coach Mike Jordan

SECOND SET 

The Aggies jumped out to a commanding 11-4 lead behind two kills from Jaelynn Kohli and service aces from Paige Nelson and Maggie Lightheart. Middle Tennessee slowly chipped away at the deficit before tying the score at 23-23 late in the set. The Blue Raiders claimed the final two points to even the match with a 25-23 win. 

THIRD SET 

Middle Tennessee carried its momentum into the third frame, hitting .500 while limiting the Aggies to a .107 attacking percentage. Maggie Lightheart and Tess Fuqua recorded three kills each, but the Blue Raiders used a lengthy run midway through the set to secure a 25-16 victory and move ahead in the match. 

FOURTH SET 

Facing elimination, NM State responded with one of its strongest stretches of the afternoon. Jaelynn Kohli recorded five kills, while Lilli Saldivar provided a spark from the service line cashing in four aces. The Aggies closed the set on an 8-4 run to earn a 25-21 victory and force a deciding fifth set. 

FIFTH SET 

The final frame lived up to the moment, featuring eight ties and four lead changes. The Aggies erased an early 5-2 deficit before pulling ahead 12-10 following a Jacqueline Corcoran service ace. Kohli and Ashley Herman delivered key kills down the stretch, and Lightheart capped the comeback with the match-winning kill to secure the 15-13 victory. 

BY THE NUMBERS 

1. The Aggies improved to 12-11 overall and 5-5 in Conference USA play. 
2. Maggie Lightheart led all players with 15 kills, six digs and three service aces. 
3. Jaelynn Kohli added 14 kills while hitting .303. 
4. Tess Fuqua recorded nine kills, five digs and a three assists, matching her season high. 
5. Makayla Martinez anchored the defense with 11 digs, marking her 22nd match this season with double-digit digs. 
6. Paige Nelson dished out 25 assists and two aces. 
7. Lilli Saldivar recorded four aces in the fourth set, doubling her career high.. 
8. The Aggies finished with 57 kills and 53 digs. 
9. The match featured 31 ties and 19 lead changes. 

UP NEXT 

NM State will close out its two-match series against Middle Tennessee on Saturday, Oct. 24, inside the Alumni Memorial Gymnasium. First serve is scheduled for 1 p.m. MT as the Aggies look to earn a split of the weekend series. The match will be streamed live on ESPN+, and live stats available at nmstatesports.com/stats.  

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