Oct. 17, 2005
Box Score
Reno, Nev. - Playing without the services of two-time All-Western Athletic Conference selection Salaia Salave`a the University of Nevada(13-6) rallied from a two games to one deficit to defeat UNLV(9-9) 3-2 in a nonconference match Monday night at the Virginia Street Gym in Reno, Nev. The Wolf Pack won by scores of 27-30, 30-22, 21-30, 30-25, and 15-8 in the deciding fifth game. The Pack improved to 13-9 on the year while the Rebels fell to 9-9. It was the fifth consecutive year that Nevada has won the intrastate match from UNLV.
The deciding fifth game was tied at 4-4 before the Pack took control. Nevada scored the next three points to go in front to stay at 7-4 and increased its lead to five at 10-5 on the way to the 15-8 deciding game victory. Sophomore Teal Ericson's 17th kill of the night ended the match as the Pack won 3-2. Nevada hit .500 in the final game and held the Rebels to a .056 attack percentage.
UNLV took control of game one early jumping to a seven point advantage at 16-9. The Pack battled back to tie the game at 24-24 but with game was tied for the ninth time at 27-27 the Rebels scored the final three points to win 30-27. Back to back attack errors gave UNLV the victory. Both teams struggled as UNLV hit .214 and Nevada .204.
In game two the Pack got a lift when setter Tristin Johnson was inserted into the lineup. Johnson, a three-year starter, had missed the last 10 games with a knee injury. Game two was tied 12 times and there were eight lead changes before a Pack 30-22 victory tied the match at one game apiece. The last tie was at 15-15 but a 3-0 Pack run put them ahead to stay as they evened up the match. Freshman Erika Ryan ended the game with a kill off an assist from Johnson, her 10th of the game. The Pack hit .245 in game two and UNLV .045.
The third game was all UNLV as the Rebels led 19-10 and cruised the 30-21 victory to take a two games to one lead in the match. The Rebels had their best hitting game of the match at .353 while Nevada had its worst attack percentage of the night at .108.
Needing a win in game four to force a fifth game Nevada put together a 3-0 run to break a 8-8 tie as junior Carly Sorensen served all three points of the run. UNLV kept it close but were unable to catch the Pack as Nevada prevailed 30-25 to even the match at two games apiece to force a fifth game that they won 15-8. The Wolf Pack out hit UNLV .404 to 250 in the fourth game.
The sophomore duo of Karly Sipherd and Ericson led Nevada with 19, and 17 kills respectively. Sorensen posted a double-double on the night with 12 kills, and 13 digs. Brianne Davis, and Ryan finished with 11 kills each as Nevada had five players reach double figures in kills on the night. Johnson tied for match high honors with 53 assists as did libero Christine Harms with 23 digs. The 23 digs is the most by a Nevada player this season.
UNLV had five players finish with double figures in kills led by Lauren Miramontes match high 20. Maria Aladjova(12), Michelle Banks(11), Jennifer Johnson(11), and Mariana Pencheva(10) also finished in double figures. Banks added 11 digs to record a double-double in the match. Setter Melody Nua's 53 assists, and libero Jada Walker's 23 digs tied the Pack's duo for match high honors in the respective categories.
The Pack hit .278 on the night and UNLV .191. The closeness of the match was reflected in the blocking totals as both teams totaled nine. Sipherd led Nevada with five while Pencheva equaled that with five for the Rebels.
The Pack return to Western Athletic Conference play on Thursday traveling to San Jose State for a 7:00 p.m. match. On Saturday Nevada is at Fresno State for a 1:00 p.m. contest.
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