Volleyball: Aggies Flip Script, Taking Friday Match with FIU in Five Sets

MIAMI – NM State Volleyball opened its final regular-season series of the year with a hard-fought five-set victory over FIU on Friday evening inside the Ocean Bank Convocation Center. The Aggies overcame a fourth-set setback and closed strong in the deciding frame to secure a 3-2 victory. 

FIRST SET 

The opening frame featured three ties and two lead changes before FIU gained momentum late. Maggie Lightheart recorded four kills, while Mia Fox added three kills and a block. NM State erased an early deficit and briefly led 18-14 before the Panthers closed on an 11-3 run to claim the set, 25-21. 

SECOND SET 

The Aggies answered immediately in the second stanza. Jaelynn Kohli led the offense with six kills, while Maggie Lightheart added three kills and Makayla Martinez sparked the team with a pair of service aces during a key run. NM State hit .259 and maintained control down the stretch to even the match with a 25-20 victory. 

THIRD SET 

NM State continued to build momentum in the third frame, hitting .355 while recording 15 kills. Kate Sinclair delivered a perfect set with three kills on three swings, while the senior Lightheart added four kills. The Aggies used a late 7-0 run, including four Makayla Martinezservice aces, to erase the deficit and secure a 25-21 victory. 

FOURTH SET 

FIU responded in the fourth set, holding the Aggies to a -.026 hitting percentage. Katrina Catalan supplied a trio of service aces and Zoe Ziegler provided a spark off the bench, but the Panthers kept their early cushion and forced a deciding fifth set with a 25-17 win. 

FIFTH SET 

The deciding frame featured two ties before NM State seized control midway through the set. Mia Fox recorded four kills in the stanza, while Kohli and Fuqua added key points and several blocks fueled the Aggie defense. The Aggies outscored FIU 6-2 over the final stretch, with Fuqua recording the match-clinching kill in a 15-10 victory. 

“It was a really competitive match as we knew it would be. They’re the toughest serving team in the league and they are athletic. It is always good to win on the road.” 

~Head Coach Mike Jordan

BY THE NUMBERS 

1. Friday’s victory improved NM State to 15-13 overall and 8-7 in Conference USA play. The Aggies now sit in a tie with MTSU, with both teams holding an 8-7 conference record heading into the last day of the regular season.  
2. Jaelynn Kohli led the Aggies, recording 14 kills while hitting .323. This becomes her sixth match this season pacing the Crimson & White in kills, and first since Oct. 10, against Liberty. 
3. Maggie Lightheart added 11 kills and 18 digs in the Friday night victory. Her 18 digs are a season high for the Las Cruces native, and her most in a single game since Oct. 18, 2025 (Missouri State).  
4. Makayla Martinez anchored the back row with 21 digs while adding a career-high six service aces. 
5. Katrina Catalan contributed 24 assists, five service aces and 14 digs – tallying her sixth double-double in assists and digs this season. 
6. NM State finished with 75 digs (ties season high), 56 kills, 12 service aces (tied for second-most in a single match this season) and 10 total team blocks (tied for second-most in a single match this season). 
7. The match featured 17 ties and six lead changes across five sets. 

UP NEXT 

NM State will close out the regular season on Saturday, Nov. 14, returning to the Ocean Bank Convocation Center for a second and final match of the series against FIU. First serve is scheduled for 11 a.m. MT, with the match streamed live on ESPN+, and live stats available at nmstatesports.com/stats.   

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Katrina Catalan Named to CUSA All-Academic Team

By Izzy Palmisano

DALLAS – NM State volleyball student-athlete Katrina Catalan has been named to the Conference USA All-Academic Team, the league office announced Friday. 

Catalan earns the honor after maintaining a perfect 4.000 cumulative GPA while pursuing a degree in Management. A Crimson Scholar, the junior has consistently demonstrated a commitment to academic excellence throughout her career as an Aggie. Her achievements in the classroom earned her a spot on the 2026 Conference USA All-Academic Team, where she is one of just 11 student-athletes recognized and the lone Aggie selected this season. 

In addition to her success in the classroom, Catalan has played a pivotal role for NM State on the court during the 2026 campaign. Appearing in 27 matches and 107 sets, she ranks second on the team with 509 assists while averaging 4.76 assists per set to help orchestrate the Aggie offense. 

The setter has also made her presence felt in multiple facets of the game, totaling 208 digs and 28 service aces on the season. Catalan is one of just five Aggies to record at least 100 digs and 20 service aces this year, showcasing her versatility and all-around impact. 

The junior setter earned conference recognition after excelling both in the classroom and on the court throughout the 2026 season.

NM State will close out the regular season next weekend with a final road trip to Miami, Fla., where it will take on FIU in a two-match Conference USA series. First serve is set for 4 p.m. MT on Friday, Nov. 13, before the teams return to the court for the regular-season finale at 11 a.m. MT on Saturday, Nov. 14. Both matches will be streamed on ESPN+, with live stats and additional coverage available at NMStateSports.com. 

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