RUSTON, La. - NM State is gearing up for their first Conference USA road trip in program history. The Aggies are coming off a thrilling 2-0 weekend in the Pan American Center. Mike Jordan led his squad against Middle Tennessee, winning in straight sets on Friday and taking a five-setter on Saturday afternoon. Up next for the Aggies; a trip to the Pelican State to take on Louisiana Tech for a pair of matches.

 

LA Tech enters the weekend with a 5-9 overall record. They are 0-2 in conference play, having dropped both matches to FIU. The Bulldogs have lost 12 sets in a row, getting swept in four straight matches. LA Tech was picked to finish last in CUSA in the Preseason Coaches' Poll, which was released on Aug. 17.

Match 1 - Friday, Sept. 29 at 6:00 PM MT
Match 2 - Saturday, Sept. 30 at 1:00 PM MT
 

Scouting the Bulldogs

LA Tech is coached by Amber McCray in her fifth season with the Bulldogs. McCray has collected a 39-80 record since starting in 2019.

 

Junior libero McKenzie Johnson was named to the All-CUSA Preseason Team. Her 25 service aces lead the conference, and she ranks second in CUSA with 4.69 digs per set this season. Johnson was the lone Bulldog selected to the team, but has gotten solid production out of her teammate Sydney Jackwin, a sophomore outside hitter. Jackwin leads the team in kills, despite only playing in 33 of 51 possible sets this year. Her 3.15 kills per set easily paces the Bulldogs, and is sixth in the conference. 

 

Defensively, McKenzie Johnson handles the majority of the workload from the back row. However, up front, she is aided by Taylor Ashley. The senior middle blocker has collected 1.06 blocks per set, which leads the team and is good for fourth in the conference.

 

Notable Stats/Trends

• LA Tech has dropped 12 sets in a row, with their last win coming Sept. 15 against Southern.

• In their last 15 sets, NM State has played eight matches that have been won by the smallest margin; two points. NM State has won the last four of those instances.

• All eight members of the conference that have played CUSA matches are either 2-0 or 0-2. NM State is 2-0 and LA Tech is 0-2.

• LA Tech leads the conference with 16.49 digs per set.

• NM State and LA Tech are atop the conference in opponent hitting percentage. The Aggies are tied for second with .188, while the Bulldogs have held their opponents to .174 on the season.

• NM State has 24 blocks in just eights sets of conference play, which leads CUSA at 3.00 per set

• The second set has reflected the outcome of all 13 of the Aggies' matches so far. NM State is 9-0 when winning the set, and 0-4 when dropping the second frame. 

 

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