The New Mexico State softball team advanced to the NCAA Tournament in 2011 for the first time in the program’s 37-year history, concluding a milestone season.

Sophomore pitcher Alex Newman threw her first career no-hitter in the Aggies’ NCAA debut, with a 9-0 shutout of Texas Tech. The Aggies bowed out after a pair of losses on day two, ending the season with a program-best mark of 44 wins.

The Aggies claimed their first title of any kind with a WAC regular season championship, after compiling a record 17 conference victories. NMSU then clinched a WAC Tournament title leading to its NCAA debut.

Head coach Kathy Rodolph claimed WAC Coach of the Year honors after leading the Aggies to the conference titles and NCAA berth. Valerie Swedberg won 2011 WAC Freshman of the Year honors and claimed the Most Valuable Player award at the WAC Tournament.

Senior Hoku Nohara led the nation with 24 homers and set the career WAC home run record of 64. She claimed NFCA All-American honors after the 2011 season. Teammate Kandis Jones earned CoSIDA Academic All-America First Team honors.

The 2011 senior class ended its collective career as the winningest in program history with 130 victories.