OREM, Utah - The Utah Valley Wolverines opened the 2019 WAC campaign in a home matchup against defending conference champion New Mexico State. UVU managed a set off of the Aggies but would fall just short in the four-set contest (19-25, 17-25, 25-16, 14-25).

Set one brought about a point-for-point battle between the two Western Athletic Conference teams before UVU would jump on top of the Aggies shortly in the first, 8-7. A six-point run in the middle of the contest from New Mexico State's side of the court proved costly against Utah Valley as they were unable to close the gap, dropping the first set 19-25. Jasmine Niutupuivaha kicked off the night in set one with five total kills. 

Utah Valley dug a 2-6 deficit in the beginning of the second set as New Mexico State's front row would not let up from a four-point run over UVU. A trio of kills from Bailey Christensen would keep NMSU within UVU's sight, but the Wolverines would still finish short, 17-25 in the second. 

The Aggies jumped out to a 3-7 start over the Wolverines in the third set but UVU would scrape together a pair of three-point runs to bring them back in the game and take their first lead of the set at 9-8. Christensen kept Utah Valley in the running, tallying three kills in six plays as UVU then sealed the set with two five-point runs at the end of the contest to take the victory in set three, 25-16. 

In the final set of the night, the Aggies would claim another 1-4 start over the Wolverines. UVU put together a six-point run mid-set with kills from Kaili Downs and Niutupuivaha to tighten the score, 11-12. Attacks from New Mexico State's outside and right side hitters would claim the remainder of the set over Utah Valley, 14-25. 

Christensen posted 11 kills and a block on the night, while teammate Niutupuivaha tallied eight kills and five blocks against NMSU. 

UVU will remain in Orem as they host UT Rio Grande Valley in Lockhart Arena on Saturday, September 28 at 1pm MT.