by LAS CRUCES, N.M. – New Mexico State had a chance to play the roster Thursday night, as the Aggies had no trouble in downing Chicago State 3-0 in Western Athletic Conference play.
NM State (12-5, 2-0) needed only an hour and 14 minutes to dispatch the Cougars (1-15, 0-3) 25-15, 25-17, 25-18 in front of 1,169 at the Pan American Center.
“We were physically a better team and as long as we played efficiently we were going to win,” said NM State Head Coach Mike Jordan. “I’m happy we got everybody in the match, some of the kids that came off the bench did a nice job contributing for us.”
But Jordan was quick to point out the Aggies didn’t play well in one area of the game.
“Defensively we’ve got to not miss so many assignments. I was upset with that. Other than that I thought we did fine.”
The Aggies were led by senior Bradley Nash (Navajo Nation) of Kayenta, Ariz./Monument Valley, who led all players with nine kills. She hit .533 and led the team with four blocks.
“She a good player,” said Jordan. “We’re doing a lot of things that are helping make her within the system, using her as a go to attacker. She’s done very, very well”
The Aggies also got an outstanding performance from sophomore Sasha-Lee Thomas of Pottsville, Pa., who posted eight kills on nine attempts for an .889 attack percentage with three blocks.
Chicago State got eight kills from junior Logan Miller. NM State outhit the Cougars .448 to .054.
The win gives the Aggies a three-match winning streak heading into a showdown match with Missouri-Kansas City on Saturday at 5 p.m.
The defending WAC Champions, UMKC defeated the Aggies twice in 2014, 3-2 in Las Cruces and 3-1 in Kansas City. The ‘Roos come into the match at 9-6 overall, 2-1 in WAC play after beating UT Rio Grande Valley 3-1 on Thursday.
“We’ve circled this one on the calendar,” said Jordan. “They’re a good team and it’s always competitive. We’re looking forward to the showdown.”
