New Mexico State University Athletics

LAS CRUCES, N.M. – NM State Volleyball returned home in style on Friday night, sweeping Jacksonville State 3-0 inside the Pan American Center. The Aggies controlled the opening two sets from the jump before fending off a late Gamecock rally in the third to improve to 10-10 overall and 3-4 in Conference USA play. 

Set-by-set: NM State def. Jacksonville State 3-0 (25-11, 25-14, 26-24) 

FIRST SET 

The Aggies wasted little time taking control, starting off strong with a 5-0 lead and racing out to a 10-2 advantage behind four combined aces from Maggie Lightheart and Makayla Martinez. NM State later extended its lead to 20-8, holding its largest advantage of the set at 12 points. The Aggies hit .500 and closed the set with a service ace from Fuqua to secure a commanding 25-11 victory. 

SECOND SET 

NM State continued to apply pressure in the second stanza, using an efficient .462 hitting percentage and four service aces to create separation early and often. Tess Fuqua recorded four kills in the set, while Jaelynn Kohli added three and Kate Sinclair chipped in a pair. The Aggies led by as many as 10 points before Ava Archibald made her NM State debut and delivered the set-clinching kill in a 25-14 victory. 

THIRD SET 

The final frame proved to be the most competitive of the night between the two squads, featuring 12 ties and five lead changes. Tess Fuqua and Ashley Herman paced the Aggies with five kills apiece in the set, while Maggie Lightheart added three kills and two service aces. After the Gamecocks tied the score at 23-23 and again at 24-24, NM State responded with back-to-back kills from Herman and Fuqua to claim a 26-24 victory and complete the sweep. 

NUMBERS OF NOTE 

• The Aggies hit .366, their highest team hitting percentage of the 2026 season. 

• Tess Fuqua led all Aggies with 12 kills while adding four digs and one service ace. 

• Maggie Lightheart tallied six kills, six digs and a season-best five service aces to lead the Aggies from the service line. 

• Ashley Herman finished with eight kills on a team-best .571 hitting percentage and became the latest Aggie to reach 500 career kills, following Maggie Lightheart, who surpassed the 600-career-kill milestone on Oct. 9 against Liberty. 

• Jaelynn Kohli and Kate Sinclair each hit .500 in the victory, finishing with seven and four kills, respectively. 

• Making her collegiate debut, Ava Archibald notched the first kill of her career, tallying the set-clinching point to close the second set. 

• Makayla Martinez contributed 15 digs and three service aces, reaching double figures in digs for the 19th time this season. 

• Paige Nelson dished out a match-high 23 assists.  

• NM State recorded 12 service aces, tied for its second-highest team total of the season.  

• The Aggies held advantages in kills (41-25), hitting percentage (.366-.127) and service aces (12-4) 

QUOTEABLES 

Head Coach Mike Jordan, on the home sweep against Jax State:  

"It was a good team win. I thought we were really efficient in the first and second sets, we got a little sloppy in the third and Jax State played better. They put a little pressure on us, which is good for us. We have a few things to clean up before tomorrow. Ashley Herman getting 500 kills is a big deal, and besides that, getting to watch her turn into the player she's turned into has been a joy. She also has great positive energy, her whole career she has been a great teammate. So I am really proud of her." 

Ashley Herman, on achieving 500 career kills:  

"I actually just found out after the match. I had no idea. I'm just so happy. I mean, coming off of an injury, it's huge stuff for me being around these girls, being able to be pushed like this is just awesome. I'm so excited." 

Ava Archibald, on making her NM State debut and recording her first collegiate kill:  

"It felt really good to be able to go out there and just show that everything that I've worked for paid off, and it being set point, was so surreal. All of my teammates coming up to me and being so happy just to see, that I could do it. It's amazing to give back to the team and be out there and work hard." 

UP NEXT 

NM State will close out its two-match series against Jax State on Saturday, Oct. 17, from the Pan American Center. First serve is scheduled for 1 p.m. MT, and will be streamed live on ESPN+, and live stats available at nmstatesports.com/stats. The Aggies look to secure the series sweep and continue climbing the Conference USA standings. 

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.  

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