LAS CRUCES, N.M. — Seventh-ranked Hawai'i won its 10th volleyball match in a row this afternoon, sweeping New Mexico State, 26-24, 25-20, 25-23 at the Pan American Center.

The win moved the Rainbow Wahine to 11-2 overall and 4-0 in the Western Athletic Conference. The Aggies, who had a four-match winning streak coming in, are 8-7 and 3-1.

This was the first time since New Mexico State moved into the WAC in 2005 that the teams did not go five sets in Las Cruces.

Hawai'i scored the first three points of the match and would never trail in the first set. The Aggies hung on and, after fighting off two set points, tied it for the first time at 23. But, after NMSU sophomore Whitney Woods hit out, Aneli Cubi-Otineru stuffed Woods to give the 'Bows the set.

Cubi-Otineru, who has been wearing a mask since breaking her nose two matches ago, took the mask off in the middle of the first set and did not wear it again.

New Mexico State took early control in the second, moving to a 7-4 advantage on Jamie Houston's fifth hitting error. Stephanie Brandt came into the backrow for Houston and, after a Nickie Thomas kill, Tara Hittle served four in a row to put Hawai'i ahead for good, at 9-7.

Hittle had her second and — career-high — third aces of the match during the run. Houston would return in the front row and bury five of her last six swings.

The Aggies took control early again in the third set, scoring four in a row to go up, 11-6. Another surge put them ahead, 18-13, and forced UH to take its final timeout.

The momentum switched and Hawai'i scored the next four points to cut its deficit to one. The set was tied at 19 and 20 before the 'Bows took a 22-20 lead on Kanani Herring's serve. Cubi-Otineru scored two of the final three points to end it.

She finished with 10 kills and 12 digs. Houston had 16 kills.

Herring started for the 'Bows but played only backrow. Redshirt freshman Stephanie Ferrell subbed for Herring in the front row and finished with nine kills, two of the 'Bows' three blocks and one memorable fisted shot from a prone position while lying on the ground that went over the net and fell for a point.

Lindsey Yon led the Aggies with 11 kills, but hit just .135.

The Rainbows close this trip Monday at San Jose State, at 4 p.m. HST. The match will be broadcast live on 1420 AM.