LAS CRUCES, N.M. - For the first time in program history, NM State is set to take on UTEP as conference foes. NM State is currently in the midst of a blazing start to the Conference USA season as one of two teams atop the standings at 4-0. In their four matches, the Aggies have only dropped a total of two sets, and have swept their opponents three times. Most recently, NM State is coming off a perfect weekend in Ruston, winning all six sets against Louisiana Tech.
NM State is currently 11-4 overall, and is 4-0 in CUSA. UTEP stands at 10-5 overall, and has gone 2-2 in conference.
Match 1 - Tuesday, Oct. 3 at 6:00 PM MT
Match 2 - Wednesday, Oct. 4 at 5:00 PM MT
UTEP is coming off a flawless weekend of their own, sweeping both matches against Jacksonville State in El Paso. The Miners are one of three teams at 2-2 in the conference standings, with their two losses coming against Western Kentucky. They were undoubtedly quality losses, however, as the Hilltoppers ranked 25th in the nation at the time, and are currently 19th in RPI. UTEP managed to take the opening set of the two-match series, but dropped the next six, thus getting swept in the finale.
Scouting the Miners
UTEP is under the leadership of Head Coach Ben Wallis, who has a record of 74-48 in his five seasons at the helm. Wallis, a graduate of NM State, served as an assistant coach in Las Cruces from 2013-2018. Wallis collected a record of 136-51 in his six seasons, and helped the Aggies finish atop the WAC regular-season standings four times.
Torrance Lovesee jumps off the box score in multiple categories. The redshirt sophomore has played in 56 of 57 sets, and started every match. Lovesee leads the Miners with 138 kills, 165.0 points and 18 service aces. Defensively, she is one of two Miners with triple-digit digs (102), and is second with 1.82 per set.
Kaya Weaver is the prototypical go-to middle blocker. Not only does she lead the team with 64.0 blocks (1.19 per set), but she is remarkably efficient with her attacks. With 90 kills on just 151 swings, her .457 hitting percentage paces the Miners.
On Sept. 22, UTEP took on Western Kentucky in their first of two road matches. In the third set, sophomore outside hitter Sara Pustahija went down with a serious leg injury. Pustahija has missed the last entirety of the last three matches, and will likely not return this season. Despite that, the Serbia native still ranks top-three on the team in total kills (93), total digs (68), and service aces (17). Pustahija's absence has been and will continue to be felt by the Miners.
How to Follow
Both matches will be streamed live on ESPN+, and available to follow on StatBroadcast. The links can be found at nmstatesports.com.
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.
##NM State##
