ess Fuqua records match-high 17 kills as NM State pushes the Bears to four competitive sets.
Source: NMSU Athletics
By Izzy Palmisano
Photo: Courtesy
LAS CRUCES, N.M. – NM State Volleyball opened its final home series of the regular season on Friday night, welcoming Missouri State to the Pan American Center. The Aggies claimed the opening set and battled through 34 ties over the entirety of the match, though Missouri State rallied to earn a 3-1 victory.
Set-by-set: Missouri State def. NM State 3-1 (22-25, 25-23, 26-24, 25-22)
FIRST SET
The Aggies settled in after an early deficit, using a 5-1 run to take control of the frame. Maggie Lightheart paced the offense with six kills, while Tess Fuqua added four and Kate Sinclair chipped in a pair of kills. NM State erased a 20-19 deficit by winning six of the final eight points to secure a 25-22 victory.
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SECOND SET
The second stanza featured 12 ties and four lead changes as neither side could create much separation. Jaelynn Kohli recorded three kills, while Ashley Herman and Tess Fuqua each added key points down the stretch. Despite fighting back to tie the set at 22-22 and 23-23, Missouri State escaped the frame with a narrow 25-23 win.
"It was a defensive battle, making it a competitive match against a good team. It was winnable if we played better offensively. We need to play better in the long rallies and make better decisions attacking."
~Head Coach Mike Jordan
THIRD SET
NM State produced its most efficient offensive frame of the night, hitting .333 with 18 kills. Kohli led the way with five kills, while Herman added five of her own and Fuqua contributed four. The Aggies rallied from a five-point deficit and forced ties at 22-22, 23-23 and 24-24 before the Bears claimed the final two points to win 26-24.
FOURTH SET
The final frame featured nine ties and three lead changes as the teams traded momentum throughout the set. Lightheart, Fuqua and Herman continued to fuel the offense, helping NM State tie the score at 18-18 late in the set. Missouri State answered with a late run and held off the Aggies' final push to secure a 25-22 victory.
BY THE NUMBERS
- Friday's match featured 34 ties and 12 lead changes across four sets.
- Tess Fuqua lead all players with 17 kills, matching her highest total in Conference USA play this season.
- Jaelynn Kohli added 12 kills and four total blocks.
- Ashley Herman contributed 11 kills and two service aces, bringing her career aces to six – all achieved in the 2026 season.
- Reigning CUSA Freshman of the Week Paige Nelson dished out 26 assists, while Katrina Catalan added 17 assists.
- Makayla Martinez led the Aggies with 20 digs, reaching double figures in digs for the 23rd time this season, and the first since Oct. 24.
- Mia Fox matched a team high with five total blocks.
- NM State recorded 55 kills, 66 digs and 11 team blocks, tying the single-game high for blocks in a match this season.
UP NEXT
NM State will conclude its final home weekend of the regular season on Saturday, Nov. 7, when it faces Missouri State. The match will serve as Senior Day for the Aggies, with first serve scheduled for 11 a.m. MT. Live statistics for Saturday's match can be found at nmstatesports.com/stats.
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.
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