Boxscore:
Las Vegas, Nev. - The University of Nevada(7-6) volleyball team had its five-match win streak versus intrastate rival UNLV(10-5) snapped falling 30-20, 30-24, and 30-27 to the Rebels at Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas. The Wolf Pack’s current three-match streak also came to an end leaving them at 7-6 on the season while the Rebels improved to 10-5 on the year.
UNLV scored the first four points of game one but the Wolf Pack rallied to tie the score at 7-7. The Rebels put together a 6-1 run to go on top 13-8 and the Pack never threatened as UNLV won 30-20 to take 1-0 lead in the match. Offensively the Pack struggled hitting just .098 compared to the Rebels .286 attack percentage.
In game two Nevada held a three-point advantage at 15-12 but the Rebels outscored the Pack 18-9 the rest of the game to win 30-24. With the victory UNLV held a commanding 2-0 games advantage in the match. Both squads struggled as the Wolf Pack hit .075 and UNLV .053 in game three.
Nevada trailed in game three 21-16 but a 5-0 run tied the score at 21-21. The Rebels responded with a 5-1 run to go in front 26-22 on the way to the 30-27 victory and 3-0 sweep of the match. The Pack continued to struggle hitting just .061 in the final game while UNLV hit .152.
Junior Teal Ericson led the Pack with 13 kills on the night while setter Tristin Johnson finished with a match high 27 assists. Freshmen Lauren Kelly and KatiJo Matthews totaled 13 and 10 digs respectively.
Maria Aladjova and Brittani Lumsden had 16 and 11 kills respectively to top UNLV. Setter Kristin Koochi posted a double-double with 20 assists and 10 digs. The Rebels second setter Melody Nua had 17 assists in the match. Camille Cunningham posted a match high 14 digs and Jada Walker added 13 digs on the night.
Neither team hit well in the match as UNLV finished with a .167 attack percentage and Nevada hit just .077. The Rebels held a slight advantage in blocking 9-7. Karly Sipherd led Nevada with three blocks while Samantha Noland had four for UNLV.
Nevada hosts a pair of Western Athletic Conference matches this weekend when Louisiana Tech comes to town on Thursday for a 7:00 p.m. match and 22nd ranked New Mexico State is at the Virginia Street Gym on Saturday evening at 7:00 p.m.
