Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 OGDEN, Utah - Nevada volleyball kicked off its 2025 campaign in Utah, competing in the Wildcat Invitational, hosted by Weber state. The Pack dropped the first game of the day to the Wildcats in three straight sets, but bounced back to down Southern Utah in a thrilling 3-2 victory.
Nevada struggled to find its rhythm through the first game, trailing Weber State early in both the first and second sets. In set one, the Pack were down by as much as 14, but ended with a score of 13-25. Set two started better for Nevada, scoring its first point earlier and keeping it close until halfway through when the Wildcats began to pull away. Weber state ultimately took the second with a score of 25-12.
The Pack saw their first lead of the game come in the third, when
Kamryn Tifft gave Nevada a 1-0 lead off a block. Weber State tied it up before Nevada regained the lead off a kill by
Ceren Sert. The Pack held on through two more points before Weber State jumped ahead. Nevada kept the third close, never trailing by more than eight, before cutting the lead to three late in the set at 20-17.
Nevada continued to fight back, tying the set at 22. Despite the rally, the Pack dropped the third set, 23-25, falling to Weber State in three straight sets.
Despite the difference in scores, the teams were even in kills for nearly every set, each having 11 in the first and seven in the second. The only difference was Nevada having 12 in the third and Weber State with 13.
Jess Walkenhorst led both teams in kills with 11, followed by
Mckaley Herr with eight.
Kinsley Singleton and
Audrey Jensen also led both teams. Singleton had 12 digs, while Jensen recorded 21 assists.
Nevada bounced back in the afternoon to down Southern Utah in five sets, 3-2.
The Pack jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the first set. The Thunderbirds then rallied to tie it up at four. From there, Nevada and Southern Utah traded the lead three times and saw the score tied the same amount before the Thunderbirds controlled the set starting at the ninth point.
Late in the set, the Pack rallied to tie it up at 22, but it wasn't enough as they dropped the first, 24-26.
Set two, Nevada once again jumped out to an early lead. This time, the Pack had the advantage until the sixth point, when the Thunderbirds got their first lead of the set.
It didn't last long as the Pack went up again by two. Nevada continued to hold on until Southern Utah regained the lead and ultimately took the second set, 25-20.
Southern Utah took control of the third set from the beginning, but Nevada never let them get too far ahead. Midway through, the Pack gained control and held on until the end, taking the third set, 25-21.
Into the fourth, Nevada had its strongest set as it came out with fire and took a commanding lead, never giving Southern Utah a chance. The Pack controlled the entire fourth, winning with a final of 25-8.
Southern Utah scored the first point of the final set, but Nevada took the lead not too long after and continued to build. The Pack held on to get their first win of the season, downing the Thunderbirds, 3-2.
Haylee Brown led both teams in kills with 17, followed by Walkenhorst with 15. Singleton added on to her day with 19 more digs, while Jensen recorded another 29 assists.
The Pack will be on the road again next weekend, competing in the The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas Classic, hosted by Kansas State. Nevada will play NC State at 10 AM on Sept. 4 and Kansas State at 10 AM the following day.
