UNLV split its games this week, 1-1, defeating the Wyoming Cowgirls and losing to the Colorado State University Rams.
University of Wyoming
UNLV hosted the Wyoming Cowboys at the Cox Pavilion for their first meet-up of the year. Once again, the Rebels did not disappoint with a cheering crowd, helping them to another win on their home court.
“I really think it’s our Rebels fans,” said freshman outside hitter Keyana Cruse, “and having those people cheering for us because energy is a super big part in this sport. If the crowd is hype, we are even more hype. It helps the momentum and everything in the game.”
The first set started with a close score, but the Rebels went on a 6-3 run to lead by three points (13-10). The Cowgirls found momentum offensively and took the lead 21-18 and won the first set 20-25.
In the second set, the Rebels took an early 11-3 lead and kept that lead to win the set 25-16.
The Rebels found momentum early on in the third set and stretched the lead 12-9, but they didn’t last long. The Cowgirls tied the score 16-16 and went on a 9-7 run to win the set 25-23.
The Rebels started off slow, trailing but went on a 9-5 run to tie the score 10-10. The score remained close at 19-19, but the Rebels found wiggle room in the Cowgirls’ defense and won 25-21.
With the support of a cheering crowd, the Rebels took an early 7-2 lead and won the final set 15-5.
“I think this community is incredible, right?,” head coach Dawn Sullivan said. “In this building and just the energy that it brings, I think that is huge and I think that is a really big piece of it. I think they are comfortable here because of the fan base we have and the support they have.”
UNLV has yet to lose a game at home in the regular season this year. Overall, the Scarlet and Gray holds a 15-5 record with a 6-3 conference record.
Colorado State
UNLV traveled east to take on Colorado State University for an early afternoon game Saturday, but the Rebels couldn’t keep up as they fell to the Rams 3-0 for the matches.
The two teams went back and forth, alternating with the lead, but the Rams won the first set 27-25.
In the second set, the Rams found some holes in the Rebels’ offense and pushed the lead to three points (19-16). Colorado went on a 6-5 run and won the set 25-21.
The Rams jumped to an early four-point lead, 13-9 and continued to hold the lead to win the final set 29-27.
UNLV is officially halfway done with the regular season and a conference record of 6-4.
“I think we are doing really good. I think we are learning a lot,” senior Lauryn Burt said. “I mean, we lost two tough matches on the road, but we always talk about adversity and we learn from everything. I think that showed tonight with us being at home. We were able to flow again and really get our rhythm back. We are really excited. I mean, we are halfway done like that’s crazy. It went by so fast.”
Up Next
UNLV will return to the Cox Pavilion to face the Boise State Broncos on Oct. 21 at 6:30 p.m. and Utah State Aggies Oct. 30 at 1 p.m.
