NM State completes undefeated weekend in Fresno

FRESNO, Calif. – The New Mexico State University volleyball team finished off a perfect weekend at the Bulldog Invitational Saturday afternoon, defeating Southern Utah in four sets (25-21, 25-27, 25-17, 25-16). The victory marked the Aggies' third win at the tournament 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, while NMSU hit .287 as a team and totaled nine service aces. 

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 their first three-match winning streak since Oct. 24-31, 2025. 

"It was a really solid weekend for us, it felt great to go 3-0,” said head coach Mike Jordan. “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.”  

Kohli lead NMSU with 15 kills and six total blocks while adding a 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.  

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. 

“It felt so good to be back in California,” said outside hitter Ashley Herman on the return to her home state. “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.” 

Late Friday night, the Aggies took down host Fresno State in four sets in the second game of the tournament. Prior to making it three straight Saturday, it was the second of back-to-back victories in Fresno following a five-set thriller against UC Irvine on Thursday.

After splitting the opening two sets, NM State seized control in the third before surviving a late Fresno State rally in the fourth to secure its second victory of the tournament (25-23, 15-25, 25-16, 26-24). 

Herman led all Aggies with 14 kills, setting a new career high while hitting an impressive .571, which also marked a season best. The double-digit kill performance was her first since Oct. 19, 2024. Lightheart tallied 12 kills, seven digs and a service ace, while Tess Fuqua added 11 kills, 13 digs and a service ace to record her second consecutive double-double. After posting just three such instances in 17 matches during the 2025 season, Fuqua has posted two through NM State's first six matches of 2026.

Fox recorded five kills on six swings for a team-best .833 hitting percentage, while adding four total blocks. Catalan finished with 27 assists – her third straight game with 20+, helping the Aggies hit .259 as a team, a new season high. 

Makayla Martinez finished with 13 digs and a team-high three service aces. The junior libero tallied double-digit digs in the first six NMSU contests this season, with 13 or more in all but one match.

Despite being outgained in aces (9-8) and blocks (10-6), the Aggies totaled 55 kills to 47 for Fresno State in the win.

NMSU returns Monday for a rivalry matchup against New Mexico. First serve is scheduled for 6 p.m. MT at the Johnson Center in Albuquerque.