Aggies Triumph in 3-1 Win Against New Mexico

On Thursday night, Utah State Women’s volleyball delivered an exhilarating 3-1 win over New Mexico, fueled by critical performances from several players and a rowdy crowd at Wayne Estes Center. Despite what the final says, the Aggies showcased resilience by battling through deficits and clutch moments to secure the victory. 

“We got quiet, got a little nervous, got a little kind of internal. That’s the battle for young players,” head coach Rob Neilson said. “[It was] so fun to go through that and then come out on the other side. That’s really big. There’s so much for us to learn, and we’re learning.” 

The match opened with a tight first set, as the Aggies and Lobos traded points until Utah State pulled away 26-24. In the second set, Utah State found another gear, riding efficient serving and aggressive hitting to a 25-15 win. 

“We wanted to serve them tough,” Neilson said. “I didn’t think we served them tough enough in the first and got going in the second.”  

First-year outside hitter Mara Stiglic led the charge with a game-high 16 kills, accounting for 18.5 points. “She’s the real deal,” Neilson said. “She’s just going to get better and better.” 

With the help of solid blocks and fierce attacks, New Mexico roared back in the third set, racing out to a 10-point lead. The Aggies fought back to tie the score at 24, sending the set into extra points. Despite their best efforts, Utah State narrowly lost 31-29. 

Women’s Volleyball Takes Down New Mexico in 3-1 Victory

Redshirt third-year Kaylie Ray admitted it was tough to regroup after the emotional third-set loss. 

“It’s tough to lose the ball on a challenge, and coming back, you feel a little defeated. You feel like that set kind of got away from you,” Ray said. 

The fourth set was a rollercoaster. The Aggies trailed by seven points, but strategic substitutions and timely plays turned the tide. Loryn Helgesen and Kaylie Ray came off the bench, providing a spark with crucial kills and blocks.  

“Putting K. Ray in that spot was really what turned the match for us … She’s so good under pressure, and we’ll definitely be seeing more of her,” Neilson said. About Loryn Helgesen’s performance, Neilson said, “[She] comes off the bench and plays phenomenal, stuffs a bunch of balls, hits with range, hits with power, really challenges teams, and so future’s brighter with that kid.” 

Ray also highlighted the importance of mental focus. 

“I think it’s just a matter of trusting your training. Like, we know what we need to do to execute, and it’s just going back, taking a deep breath, like ‘I know how to put this ball away,’ you know, and instilling that confidence in everyone,” Ray said. “Because when everybody’s confident and firing at the same time, we’re really an unstoppable team.” 

As the final points drew near, Stiglic and Ray delivered back-to-back kills, igniting the crowd. The gym was electric as the Aggies closed out the set 25-23, sealing the match. 

The atmosphere in the Wayne Estes Center played a critical role in the Aggies’ performance. 

“I love playing in Club Estes. There’s truly no place like it. I love it when the HURD is on top and just screaming and going crazy for us,” Ray said. “You can feel during long rallies, like, the gym just holds its breath, and when we score — the energy that is let out, it just lifts us all up as a team, and there’s no place like it.” 

With this win, Utah State continues to build momentum and confidence heading deeper into Mountain West play. 

“We’ve got so many weapons all over the court, and we really are putting it together,” Ray said. 

Kendel Thompson, second year, also emphasized the team’s growth. 

“I think we’ve gained a lot more confidence this season,” Thompson said. “Being very young, we’ve come in, and I think all these girls have really worked hard. We worked hard in practice. And being able to show that and prove that in games has been great.”

With that win, Utah State extended its winning streak to three, which they continued in their game against Air Force. They play next tonight in Reno against Nevada and will play their next home game Oct. 29 against Nevada.