LAS CRUCES, N.M. - For the first time in program history, NM State Volleyball will play as members of Conference USA. This weekend, Middle Tennessee will visit the Pan American Center for a pair of matches to open the 16-game slate of conference action. The Blue Raiders finished their non-conference schedule at 8-3. MTSU dropped their first three matches of the season, and have won eight in a row. Their win streak is highlighted by a four-set win over No. 25 Auburn on Sept. 7. 

 

Match 1 - Friday, Sept. 22 at 6:00 PM MT

Match 2 - Saturday, Sept. 23 at 1:00 PM MT

 

NM State and Middle Tennessee were picked to finish fourth and fifth, respectively, in the CUSA Preseason Coaches' Poll. This matchup is expected to be tightly contested, as NM State earned 40 points and MTSU earned 35 in the poll, released earlier this year on Aug. 17.

 

Scouting MTSU

The Blue Raiders most recently wrapped up a 3-0 weekend in Fairfax, Va., where they came away with victories over George Mason, Seattle U and UAlbany. While it did take five sets to fend off George Mason, MTSU was perfect in their last two matches and have won seven sets in a row. 

 

The Blue Raiders are led by Head Coach Chuck Crawford in his seventh season. Crawford has a career record of 64-101, all of which coming in his time with MTSU. Crawford led his 2022 squad to finish 15-14, but they fell to Western Kentucky in the first round of the CUSA Tournament. 

 

The 2023 unit is quarterbacked by Taylor Eisert, who leads the nation with 11.50 assists per set. The senior setter not only has 460 assists, but has collected 83 digs, 12 kills, and 23.0 points. Eisert was named CUSA Setter of the Week in consecutive weeks (Sept. 4 and 11). 

 

As for who Eisert is assisting, it's been a relatively balanced attack so far in 2023. Four Blue Raiders find themselves already over 95 kills and 115 points on the season. Kayla Henley has claimed her spot at the top of that four-headed attack, with 3.43 kills per set and is third on the team with a .360 hitting percentage. Henley has been helpful all over the floor, with 72 digs and 22.0 blocks, filling in virtually every gap. 

 

Where the Aggies Stand

NM State is currently 7-4 after their trip to Tucson last weekend. The Aggies went 1-2 at the Wildcat Classic, playing in three four-set matches. The trip started with a win over Alabama State, and saw a loss to the hosts, Arizona, later that day. Long Beach State closed out the Aggies after a thrilling comeback fell short in a 35-33 fourth set on Saturday, ending the weekend. NM State didn't walk away empty-handed, however. Senior libero Darian Markham earned her second CUSA Player of the Week award of the young season, after collecting 55 digs and 10 assists. 

 

This weekend will feature three athletes that have combined to win five conference weekly awards.

 

CUSA Player of the Week winners (MTSU/NM State)

• Darian Markham, Defensive Player of the Week (Aug. 28)

• Taylor Eisert, Setter of the Week (Sept. 4)

• Starr Williams, Offensive Player of the Week (Sept. 11)

• Taylor Eisert, Setter of the Week (Sept. 11)

• Darian Markham, Defensive Player of the Week (Sept. 18)

 

Up Next

Following the action this weekend, NM State will travel to Ruston, La. to take on Louisiana Tech. The Aggies will face the Bulldogs in a pair of matches on Friday, Sept. 29 and Saturday, Sept. 30.

 

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