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LAS CRUCES, N.M. – The second edition of NM State Volleyball in Conference USA is on the horizon. Mike Head Coach Mike Jordan, entering his 27th season with the program, announced the full 31-match slate of 2024 competitions. Before the NCAA Tournament, NM State could play up to 19 matches in the Borderlands, as UTEP is set to host the Aggies in both the regular season and the Conference USA Championship (Nov. 22-24).
The Aggies are returning nearly every student-athlete from last year’s 21-10 squad that finished as CUSA runner-up in the regular season and postseason to undefeated Western Kentucky. Not only are 97.66% of the points and all 13 members who started at least once returning, but Jordan and the coaching staff added nine new student-athletes consisting of incoming transfers and new freshmen.
The 51st season in program history will begin with a trip to Georgia Tech, where the Aggies will take on a pair of Power Four opponents and two NCAA Tournament teams from 2023. In addition to the hosting Yellow Jackets, NM State will take on new Big Ten member UCLA and reigning Sun Belt Champions Coastal Carolina. The Chanticleers fell to CUSA champion Western Kentucky in the First Round of last year’s NCAA Tournament, while Georgia Tech advanced to the Round of 16 before coming up short against top-seeded Nebraska.
After their trip to Atlanta, the Aggies will head to the West Coast for a spot in the Sacramento State Invitational. Along with the hosting Hornets, San Francisco and Cal State Northridge round out the four-team weekend. The Aggies’ match against each host – Georgia Tech and Sacramento State – will be streamed live. Links can be found at nmstatesports.com.
The Aggies will play their final seven non-conference matches in New Mexico, including six at home. First, the annual Borderland Invitational will bring Big 12 member Arizona, former WAC foe Abilene Christian and Texas Southern to Las Cruces.
A rivalry will be renewed as The Battle of I-25 is set to resume for the first time since 2019. After five years removed from the Rio Grande Rivalry, New Mexico will take on NM State once again. The Aggies have won the past nine sets, going 3-0 with three sweeps. After taking a Tuesday trip to Albuquerque on Sept. 17, the Aggies will host the Lobos two days later on Thursday, Sept. 19.
Later that same weekend, the Crimson & White close out non-conference play with home bouts against Southern and Incarnate Word on Friday and Saturday, respectively. NM State is 1-0 all-time against Southern, sweeping the Panthers in 2016. The Aggies have never matched up with the Cardinals, so each side will be looking to start the all-time series with a win.
The beginning of the 2024 CUSA calendar will be momentous for the Aggies, as they will travel to Kennesaw State for what will be the Owls’ first two matches in the league. Additionally, the matches will be the first between the two in program history.
NM State will take on every Conference USA opponent twice, with both matches being one day apart in one location. Home CUSA matches will include Louisiana Tech, FIU, Liberty and Jax State. The Aggies will travel for two matches apiece at Kennesaw State , UTEP, Sam Houston, Western Kentucky and Middle Tennessee.
The Conference USA Championship will be held in UTEP’s Memorial Gym from Friday, Nov. 22 through Sunday, Nov. 24. The top eight teams from CUSA will qualify for the three-round, single-elimination tournament. The champion will receive an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, which begins Thursday, Dec. 5.
2024 NM State Volleyball Schedule
Sunday, Aug. 25 – vs. Western NM (2:00 PM) [EXHIBITION]
Friday, Aug. 30 – vs. Coastal Carolina (1:00 PM MT)^
Saturday, Aug. 31 – vs. UCLA (TBD)^
Sunday, Sept. 1 – at Georgia Tech (2:00 PM MT)^
Thursday, Sept. 5 – vs. San Francisco (5:00 PM MT)&
Friday, Sept. 6 – at Sacramento State (8:00 PM MT)&
Saturday, Sept. 7 – vs. Cal State Northridge (1:00 PM MT)
Friday, Sept. 13 – vs. Texas Southern (1:00 PM)
Friday, Sept. 13 – vs. Abilene Christian (7:00 PM)
Saturday, Sept. 14 – vs. Arizona (2:00 PM)
Tuesday, Sept. 17 – at New Mexico (6:30 PM)
Thursday, Sept. 19 – vs. New Mexico (6:00 PM)
Friday, Sept. 20 – vs. Southern (6:00 PM)
Saturday, Sept. 21 – vs. Incarnate Word (1:00 PM)
Friday, Sept. 27 – at Kennesaw State (5:00 PM MT)*
Saturday, Sept. 28 – at Kennesaw State (12:00 PM MT)*
Friday, Oct. 4 – vs. Louisiana Tech (6:00 PM)*
Saturday, Oct. 5 – vs. Louisiana Tech (1:00 PM)*
Tuesday, Oct. 8 – at UTEP (6:00 PM)*
Wednesday, Oct. 9 – at UTEP (1:00 PM)*
Saturday, Oct. 12 – at Sam Houston (12:00 PM MT)*
Sunday, Oct. 13 – at Sam Houston (12:00 PM MT)*
Friday, Oct. 18 – vs. FIU (6:00 PM)*
Saturday, Oct. 19 – vs. FIU (12:00 PM)*
Friday, Oct. 25 – vs. Liberty (6:00 PM)*
Saturday, Oct. 26 – vs. Liberty (1:00 PM)*
Friday, Nov. 1 – at Western Kentucky (5:00 PM MT)*
Saturday, Nov. 2 – at Western Kentucky (12:00 PM MT)*
Friday, Nov. 8 – vs. Jax State (6:00 PM)*
Saturday, Nov. 9 – vs. Jax State (12:00 PM)*
Friday, Nov. 15 – at Middle Tennessee (5:00 PM MT)*
Saturday, Nov. 16 – at Middle Tennessee (1:00 PM MT)*
Friday, Nov. 22 – Sunday, Nov. 24: Conference USA Championship (El Paso, Texas)
Thursday, Dec. 5 – Saturday, Dec. 21: NCAA Tournament (sites TBD)
^ – Georgia Tech Invitational (Atlanta, Ga.)
& – Sacramento State Invitational (Sacramento, Calif.)
# – Borderland Invitational (Las Cruces, N.M. /El Paso, Texas)
* – Conference USA match
Home matches in BOLD
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Source link : https://nmstatesports.com/news/2024/7/26/womens-volleyball-2024-nm-state-volleyball-schedule-unveiled.aspx
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Publish date : 2024-07-27 02:30:00
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