RENO, Nev. - Nevada Volleyball honored seniors Malia Pilimai, Sabrina Jones, and Ceren Sert prior to its regular-season home finale Saturday afternoon. The Wolf Pack battled throughout the match and claimed a thrilling opening-set victory before ultimately falling to San Jose State in four sets (25-27, 28-26, 25-22, 25-18).
Nevada came out energized on Senior Day, opening the match on a 4-1 run behind kills from Karly Bonaventure, Pilimai, Madison Long, and Adriana Dorn. The Wolf Pack maintained control through much of the set as Paige Thies found success offensively with several early kills, helping Nevada build a 17-10 advantage. San Jose State gradually worked its way back into contention, trimming the lead to one late in the set before eventually tying the score at 23-23. Nevada responded in the closing moments as Bonaventure delivered back-to-back kills, Long added a kill to create set point, and a Thies service ace sealed a hard-fought 27-25 opening-set victory.
The second set was another tight battle, with Nevada receiving contributions from across the lineup. Pilimai recorded three early kills, while Long, Sert, and Thies helped the Pack keep pace throughout a set that featured 15 ties. A block by Sert and Dorn and a Sert kill gave Nevada an 18-15 lead late in the frame, forcing a San Jose State timeout. The Spartans answered with a late rally, but Nevada fought off multiple set points behind kills from Sert and Thies. With the score deadlocked at 26-26, San Jose State was able to string together the final two points and narrowly claim the set, 28-26.
Nevada continued to battle in the third set, getting early kills from Long, Sert, Pilimai, and Thies to stay within striking distance. A block from Pilimai and Kamryn Tifft highlighted a Nevada push that cut the deficit to 16-14, and consecutive points off Spartan errors later tied the score at 18-18. Long and Pilimai continued to provide offense down the stretch, while Thies added a late kill to bring the Pack within one at 22-21. Nevada threatened a comeback in the closing stages, but San Jose State held off the rally and escaped with a 25-22 victory.
Nevada battled early in the fourth set as Malia Pilimai and Madison Long combined for four early kills to help the Wolf Pack tie the score at 6-6. The Pack continued to compete through the middle portion of the frame, getting points from Paige Thies, Pilimai, and Ceren Sert, while a block from Thies and Karly Bonaventure cut the deficit to 12-9. Nevada remained within striking distance behind kills from Long and Pilimai, trailing just 16-13 midway through the set. San Jose State then used a 4-1 run to create separation, but Nevada continued to fight behind kills from Thies and Long. Sert added a late service ace and Thies recorded another kill in the closing points, but the Spartans ultimately claimed the set, 25-18, and secured the match.
Nevada honored seniors Malia Pilimai, Sabrina Jones, and Ceren Sert prior to the match and received strong performances throughout the afternoon. Madison Long led the Wolf Pack with a match and career-high 23 kills while hitting .556, and Paige Thies recorded a double-double with 18 kills and 15 digs. On Senior Day, Pilimai added 11 kills, while Sert contributed five kills, two service aces and two blocks. Adriana Dorn directed the offense with a career-high 53 assists, and Masyn Navarro anchored the back row with 21 digs.
