LAS CRUCES, N.M. — The New Mexico State Aggies volleyball team returned to the Pan American Center for their home opener and secured a straight-set victory over the New Haven Chargers, winning 3-0 (25-22, 25-15 and 25-23). The victory moved them to 5-2 on the season, while New Haven dropped to 1-5.
Set One
Aggie setter Nellie Reese began the match with an ace – her eighth of the season – but NMSU fell 4-1 early. A dominant 10-0 run, featuring five service aces by Las Cruces native Maggie Lightheart, turned the momentum.
New Haven mounted a comeback, but Aggie outside hitter Tess Fuqua added clutch kills and setter Bianca Perez contributed a solo block as well as a kill to help NMSU take the set.
Set Two
The Aggies came out strong, grabbing an early 3-0 lead with kills from middle blocker Kate Sinclair and outside hitter Zoe Ziegler.
Lightheart continued her ace streak, setting a career-high with seven aces.
Setter Claudia Rossi also chipped in her first ace of the night as the Aggies closed set two decisively 25-15.
Set Three
The Chargers pushed back hard in the third set, staying competitive through 24 points with neither team holding more than a two-point lead for much of the set.
Down 18-13 at one point, NMSU responded with an 8-3 run. This was keyed by kills from Faqua and Lightheart as well as a service ace from libero Bella Castro.
Lightheart and Faqua sealed the match with back-to-back points ending it with Lightheart’s match-sealing ace.
Standout Performances
Lightheart was ruthless with her career-high seven service aces, nine kills and 13 digs.
Faqua led in kills with 11, added three aces and played a key role in big moments.
Bella Castro, in her first career start as libero, contributed six digs.
Lightheart said serving is a favorite talent.
“Honestly, I think serving is one of my skills I’m prouder of,” Lightheart said. “When you’re on a run and serving well, it’s hard to stop.”
Lightheart said it was a goal to start for the Aggies, especially being a native of Las Cruces.
“Getting a win tonight was a great feeling,” Lightheart said. “Playing here and starting in front of my hometown is something I wished for since I was a little girl and I’m so happy it’s real now. I realize I’m living a memory and I’m in the good old days now.”
The Aggies swept New Haven again Sept. 13 at the Pan American Center to complete the second half of the matchup. (25-16, 25-15 and 25-22).
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