DAVIS, Calif. - Nevada Volleyball fell 3-0 to UC Davis on the road Saturday, 25-17, 25-12, 25-16.
Nevada traded points with the Aggies early in the opening set, with kills from Madison Long, Karly Bonaventure, and Malia Pilimai helping keep the score within reach. The Pack trailed just 6-4 before UC Davis used a series of kills from Ally Chandler and Gianna Bogan to stretch the lead. Nevada continued to battle behind Long and Bonaventure, cutting the deficit to 15-13 late in the set. A Long kill and service ace helped the Pack fend off multiple set points, but the Aggies closed out the frame 25-17 to take the early advantage.
The Aggies came out firing in the second set, scoring the first five points and forcing an early Nevada timeout. Bonaventure recorded the Pack's first point of the frame, while Long and Jess Walkenhorst added kills as Nevada searched for momentum. UC Davis continued to apply pressure from the service line and at the net, extending its lead to 15-3 heading into the media break. Nevada found points from Walkenhorst, Long, and Paige Thies down the stretch, but the Aggies maintained control and claimed the set 25-12 for a 2-0 match lead.
Nevada showed fight throughout the third set, staying within one point on multiple occasions early in the frame. Kills from Pilimai, Long, Thies, and Ceren Sert, along with a block from Pilimai and Long, helped the Pack keep pace as the score sat at 10-8 midway through the set. Sert provided a spark offensively with a pair of kills, while Bonaventure added another late point as Nevada worked to close the gap. The Aggies responded with a pair of service aces and several key attacking points to extend their advantage. Nevada continued to battle through the final stretch, but UC Davis closed out the set 25-16 to secure the match.
Madison Long led Nevada with seven kills, while Karly Bonaventure added four kills and a block. Malia Pilimai, Paige Thies, and Jess Walkenhorst each contributed three kills, with Thies also recording five digs. Adriana Dorn directed the Wolf Pack offense with 17 assists and five digs, while Masyn Navarro anchored the back row with a team-high 10 digs. Nevada also received defensive contributions from Keely Hummel, who posted six digs and five assists, and Lara Pacheco, who added three digs and two assists. At the net, Madison Long, Karly Bonaventure, and Malia Pilimai each recorded one block.
The Pack will return to action at Virginia Street Gym next week against Wyoming.
