UNLV split their games 1-1 this week falling short to the Boise State Broncos and sweeping the Utah State Aggies.
Boise State
UNLV started off slow, trailing 8-12, in the first set. The Rebels found offensive momentum, took the lead 17-16 and won the set 25-19.
In set two, the score started close, 9-9. Towards the end of the set, the Rebels took a 19-16 lead and won the set by three points 25-22.
The Rebels fell 1-4 to begin the third set. The Broncos managed to stretch their lead 4-14 and won the set 12-25.
Again, the score started fairly close 6-6, but the Broncos got some offensive momentum to lead 16-20. The Broncos won the fourth set 19-25.
The Rebels struggled to put points up on the board and fell 0-5 to start the fifth set. The Broncos held their lead and won the final set 7-15.
Mariena Hayden led the Rebels in kills with 24 kills. Shelby Capllonch and Milica Tasic also had 10 kills each.
The regular season is coming to an end with only three more home games left.
“I think one thing that is so different and I think it’s to come,” head coach Dawn Sullivan said. “This team is just starting to kind of make those steps of growth that you really love to see. I think that’s the moments of greatness, so I don’t know if there is highlights.”
“I think everything is really incredible. It all comes together that makes you great. All those struggles, all those successes, all the travels; whatever that is. All that together makes it special. I think the team the way they bond and figuring out who they are as a team is what is so incredible with this group.”
Utah State
UNLV led by four points to begin the first set, but the Aggies cut the lead to one point 17-16. The Rebels won the first set 25-22.
The Rebels jumped to an early 11-7 lead and kept that momentum to win the second set 25-18.
In set three, the score was close 6-5. Again the Rebels kept feeding off each other to continue their offensive momentum to stretch the lead 15-10 and won the final set 25-16.
Hayden led the team with 15 kills. Following behind Capllonch had nine kills and Kate Brennan had six kills.
The Rebels fell short 2-3 when they faced the Aggies on Oct. 14.
“I think this time we passed and served way better,” Hayden said. “I remember when we played there we had like 16 or 17 service errors and we weren’t passing very well.”
“So I think playing in our home gym gives us that sense of comfortableness to put the pressure on them service wise.I thought we passed better tonight than we have than the past couple of games or when we played them last.”
Up Next
UNLV will stay at home to face San Diego State Aztecs on Nov. 1 at 6:30 p.m. before hitting the road to face Fresno State Bulldogs on Nov. 4 at 6 p.m. in Fresno, CA.
