LAS CRUCES, N.M. – For the first time in program history, NM State Volleyball will play as members of Conference USA. This weekend, Middle Tennessee will visit the Pan American Center for a pair of matches to open the 16-game slate of conference action. The Blue Raiders finished their non-conference schedule at 8-3. MTSU dropped their first three matches of the season, and have won eight in a row. Their win streak is highlighted by a four-set win over No. 25 Auburn on Sept. 7.
Match 1 – Friday, Sept. 22 at 6:00 PM MT
Match 2 – Saturday, Sept. 23 at 1:00 PM MT
NM State and Middle Tennessee were picked to finish fourth and fifth, respectively, in the CUSA Preseason Coaches’ Poll. This matchup is expected to be tightly contested, as NM State earned 40 points and MTSU earned 35 in the poll, released earlier this year on Aug. 17.
Scouting MTSU
The Blue Raiders most recently wrapped up a 3-0 weekend in Fairfax, Va., where they came away with victories over George Mason, Seattle U and UAlbany. While it did take five sets to fend off George Mason, MTSU was perfect in their last two matches and have won seven sets in a row.
The Blue Raiders are led by Head Coach Chuck Crawford in his seventh season. Crawford has a career record of 64-101, all of which coming in his time with MTSU. Crawford led his 2022 squad to finish 15-14, but they fell to Western…
