RENO, Nev. – Nevada volleyball drops their final match of the Wolf Pack Invitational to the California Golden Bears 3-1 Saturday afternoon at Virginia Street Gym, wrapping up the non-conference portion of their schedule and moving to 4-7 on the season.
 
Sia Liilii recorded 16 kills, nine digs, and four block assists. Freshman Tehya Maeva tallied 32 assists, 10 digs, and four block assists. Jordan Schwartz registered eight kills, six block assists, and five block solos in the match.
 
This matchup marks the 18^th meeting between the Bears and the Pack, with California leading in a 13-5 record overall. The teams' most recent meeting was during the 2022 Cal Tournament where Nevada took California 3-1. After today's win, the Bears remain undefeated on the season, moving to 11-0 for the first time in program history.
 
To start things off on a roll for the Pack, Snyder recorded the first service ace of the match followed by an attack error from the Bears to put Nevada up 2-0. Two back-to-back kills from California's Maggie Li allowed the Bears to tie the match at 8-8 a piece. California continued to extend their lead heading into the media timeout, going up 15-12 over Nevada after two service errors from the Pack and a kill from Cal's Ava Mehrten. A 3-0 run by the Bears forced Nevada to call their first timeout as the Bears continued to lead 19-17. A back-and-forth rally between the Pack and the Bears brought the set to a close, as California took the first 25-21.
 
Nevada came out firing in the second set after a 5-0 run allowed the Pack to go up 8-4 over the Bears. California answered back, going on a 4-1 run of their own to come within one of Nevada's lead, 9-8. The Bears took their first lead of the set, 11-10, before two kills apiece from Liilii and Maeva brought the Pack back up to speed to regain the lead by two, 14-12. Schwartz's fifth solo block of the day and McLaughlin's third kill of the set moved Nevada back on top 21-18, forcing the Bears to call timeout. The Pack kept their lead of three, nearing set point at 23-19, but two-back-to-back kills from California's Ellie Hamm and Mehrten put the Bears within two. The Bears forced another Nevada timeout after an attack error by Liilii and a kill by Maggie Li tied things up at 23-23. The Pack were able to hold on and take the second set from Schwartz's second block assist of the afternoon, tying the match at 1-1 heading into the third set.
 
The Bears started off the third set going up on the Pack 2-1 after another Maggie Li kill followed by an attack error by Nevada's Schwartz. The Pack continued to battle, coming back from being down by two to tying it up at 12-12. Nevada's Snyder got her fourth kill of the match to give the Pack a one-point lead before Applebach recorded two service aces in a row to put Nevada up by three, 16-13 before the media timeout. McLaughlin's sixth kill of the evening helped secure Nevada's largest lead of the set at 18-14. The Bears went on an 8-2 run to go up on the Pack 22-20 before securing the set 25-21.
 
It was all California to start the fourth set, as the Bears took a five-point lead over the Pack at 8-3, forcing Nevada to call timeout. Continuing their momentum, the Bears extended their lead over Nevada by nine points, going up 14-5, forcing yet another called timeout by the Pack. California led a dominating front to win the set 25-15 and match 3-1 over Nevada.
 
Up next:
The Pack will continue their home slate at Virginia Street Gym kicking off conference play Thursday, Sept. 21 taking on New Mexico at 6 p.m. The first 50 fans will receive a drink deal (Must be 21 or over), and all fans are encouraged to use pom poms to cheer on the Pack that will be located at their seats. Next, Nevada will take on the Air Force Falcons Saturday, Sept. 23 at 12 p.m. This match will be the "Salute to Service" day, with a Crazy D's sandwich fan giveaway. Tickets start at $7 and can be purchased on game day or online at www.mynevadatickets.com