Maggie Lightheart has been named to the 2026 CUSA Volleyball Preseason Team, highlighting her as one of the top players entering the season. NM State is projected to finish tied for third in Conference USA, as determined by a poll of the league's head coaches. Lightheart, a standout from last season with over 350 kills and significant contributions in both digs and blocks, is set for her senior year after earning All-CUSA honors last season. The team will start its season with an exhibition match on August 22 against Western New Mexico, before officially kicking off on August 28 versus Tulsa.

By the Numbers
  • 57 points earned in the coaches' poll, ranking NM State tied for third place.
  • Maggie Lightheart led NM State with 355 kills and 445.5 points in the previous season.
Yes, But

While NM State holds a strong preseason ranking, the competition remains tough, particularly from teams like WKU and Liberty, who finished ahead in the poll.

State of Play
  • NM State prepares for the upcoming season with expectations of playoff contention following their championship match appearances in 2023 and 2024.
  • Head Coach Mike Jordan emphasizes ongoing improvement as key to maintaining competitiveness in the conference.
What's Next

The Aggies will focus on building momentum from the exhibition match ahead of their official season opener against Tulsa, aiming to capitalize on their strong preseason recognition.

Bottom Line

Maggie Lightheart's inclusion in the preseason team reinforces her impact on NM State Volleyball, while the team鈥檚 third-place ranking sets high expectations for a competitive season.