Oct. 2, 2007

LOGAN, Utah - Utah State's women's volleyball team returns home this week and hosts 22nd- ranked New Mexico State (13-3, 5-1) on Thursday, Oct. 4 at 7 p.m. in the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum. USU has won six of its last seven matches after starting the season with a 2-6 record and is tied with NMSU for second-place in the Western Athletic Conference.

Utah State is 8-7 on the season and 5-1 in the WAC following a pair of road wins at San Jose State (3-0) and Fresno State (3-1) last weekend. USU is led by senior opposite side hitter Amanda Nielson who is averaging 5.74 points, 4.69 kills, 2.21 digs, 0.96 blocks and 0.54 service aces per game, while junior outside hitter Melissa Osterloh is averaging 4.06 points, 3.40 kills, 2.85 digs and 0.65 blocks per game. As a team, Utah State is hitting .156 on the season as compared to a .182 hitting percentage for its opponents.

New Mexico State is 13-3 on the season and 5-1 in the WAC following a pair of home wins against Boise State (3-0) and Idaho (3-1) last weekend. The Aggies, who are 4-1 on the road this year, are led by junior outside hitter Lindsey Yon who is hitting .250 and averaging 4.39 kills and 2.56 digs per game. As a team, NMSU is hitting .272 overall as compared to a .166 hitting percentage for its opponents.

Utah State is 23-32 all-time against New Mexico State, which includes a 10-13 record at home. NMSU has won each of the last three matches played in the series including a four-game win in Las Cruces earlier this year. The last time USU defeated the NewMags was on Nov. 25, 2005 in five games in the semifinals of the WAC Tournament.

Following its match against New Mexico State, USU will host Louisiana Tech on Saturday, Oct. 6 at 7 p.m. in the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum.