Aggies rally for five-set victory

NM State volleyball returned to the Pan American Center on Friday night, defeating UC San Diego in five sets in its second match of the Borderland Classic. Behind a career night from sophomore outside hitter Jaelynn Kohli, the Crimson & White produced 68 kills and improved to 5-4 on the year while earning their second five-set victory of the season. 

NMSU defeated UCSD 3-2 (24-26, 25-20, 20-25, 25-23, 15-11) 

Following a three-set loss on Thursday night, the Aggies came out strong dropping the first set. The teams split the second and third before NMSU rallied from behind to win the final two sets and claim the match. 

The Aggies totaled 68 kills, marking a season high and their highest single-match output since recording 68 kills against New Mexico on Sept. 17, 2025. Jaelynn Kohli led all Aggies with 19 kills, a new career high. This becomes the highest single-match kill total for the Crimson & White this season.  

Ashley Herman joined Kohli in tallying a new career high with 15 kills while hitting .344, reaching double-digit kills for her fifth straight match. Mia Fox tallied a season-high 11 kills on 17 swings – her most in a match this season. The junior from Augusta, Kansas also added three total blocks on the night. 

Tess Fuqua finished with seven kills, tying the team lead with two service aces and two block assists. 

“Staying connected with my setter, doing what we can to get past the [UC San Diego] block, they were a big team,” Kohli said. 

The Aggies posted 62 assists against UC San Diego – a new season high – with setters Katrina Catalan and Paige Nelson each recording 26. 

“I think we played really scrappy defense,” Catalan said. “These last couple games I think we have struggled with passing, but we were able to get our hitters in system, and when they’re in system they can put a ball away.” 

Sadie Ross played in a pair of sets in the win over the Tritons, recording her first collegiate kill in the fourth set, bringing NM State to set point, 24-21. She becomes the 12th different Aggie to record a kill this season. 

Head Coach Mike Jordan, following the five-set victory on Friday night.  

“I’m glad we came back, that’s a good sign,” Jordan said. “We play hard defensively; we just don’t play hard offensively. We put ourselves in these predicaments, but I’m glad we pulled out the win.” 

NM State concludes play at the Borderland Classic on Saturday, Sept. 12, hosting Pacific at the Pan American Center. First serve is scheduled for 6 p.m. MT, with the match streamed live on ESPN+, with live stats available at nmstatesports.com/stats.