After winning its third tournament of the season, the New Mexico State volleyball team (14-0) is ranked No. 24 in the CSTV/AVCA Division I Top 25 Coaches Poll, which the organization released Sept 18. Hawai?i remains ranked this week taking the No. 15 ranking
This marks the first time in school history the Aggies have been ranked and head coach Mike Jordan said he was pleased with the announcement.
“I believe we’re a top-25 team and there are lots of good teams out there,” he said. “It’s a nice reward but in the end it doesn’t help us win games. Hopefully, we’ll keep playing like a top-25 team.”
New Mexico State had received votes in all three previous polls this season and the team is off to its best start in school history.
The Aggies just returned from Brookings, S.D. where they swept Lamar, South Dakota State and North Dakota State in the Jackrabbit Invitational, Sept. 15-16. Sophomore middle hitter Amber Simpson was named tournament most valuable player while seniors setter Jackie Choi and outside hitter Alice Borden joined her on the all-tournament team.
Simpson leads the team with a .464 hitting percentage and 68 blocks. She also ranks first in the WAC in hitting percentage. Borden paces the Aggies with 178 kills, while Choi has a team-high 571 assists.
New Mexico State opens its second season in the conference when the Aggies host Idaho, Thursday, Sept. 21 at 7:00 p.m., and Boise State, Saturday, Sept. 23 at 7:00 p.m.
Hawai?i remains ranked, this week earning a ranking of No. 15. The Rainbow Wahine split matches with now No. 21-ranked Cal Poly. Hawai?i welcomed back two-time WAC Player of the Year Kanoe Kamana`o, who played sparingly last week.