The Rebels continue their win streak journey, defeating both the San Diego State Aztecs and the Fresno State Bulldogs.
San Diego State
In set one, the match consistently went back and forth between the Rebels and Aztecs with who had the lead. The Aztecs took a 14-16 lead before the Rebels went on a 6-1 run to take a three-point lead and win the set 25-21.
“I think we have a lot of work ahead of us to win the Mountain West Championship (MWC),” said head coach Dawn Sullivan. “It makes me proud. Tonight, I think we found our groove early and made good choices. Whether it’s with a serve or a pass or how we are attacking that ball, that is the part I am probably most proud of, just what they are doing on a day-to-day basis.”
The score remained close during the second set until the Aztecs found momentum offensively to take a three-point lead. Once again, the Rebels went on a scoring run to win 25-21.
The Rebels had a slow start into the third set and then went on a 6-2 run to take a one-point lead. The game remained close until the end of the set when the Rebels went on an 8-3 run to win the final set 25-20.
Mariena Hayden led the team in kills with 12 kills while Gabrielle Arretche-Ramos had a career-high of six kills, and Chloe Thomas had four kills.
Jordyn Freeman had the most blocks for the team with six. Following behind her, Kate Brennan and Hayden had five blocks each.
UNLV outshined the Aztecs in three categories with 55 points (0.247), nine aces and 14 blocks compared with the Aztec’s 48 points (0.148), two aces and four blocks.
The Rebels are voted most likely to win the MWC championship.
“It means a lot,” said senior Lauryn Burt. “It’s really an honor. We always talk about it and how hard winning is. To be picked to win the whole thing is a really big deal, and we cherish every moment we have to be on the court to win together. We love it.”
Fresno State
UNLV took an early three-point lead before winning the first set, 25-13.
The Rebels had a slow start, trailing by three points at the start of the second set. Offensively, UNLV found momentum to tie the game and went on a 7-4 run to take the lead. UNLV won the set, 25-19.
The third set remained with a close score, the Bulldogs found momentum to gain a three-point lead. The Rebels didn’t back down and went on a 4-1 run to take a one-point lead and win the final set, 25-23.
Hayden led the Rebels with 13 kills and Arretche-Ramos had nine kills. Thomas had five kills as well.
Defensively, once again, Freeman led the team with five blocks while Hayden had three blocks and Brennan had two.
The Rebels beat the Bulldogs in multiple categories with 53 points (0.352), 42 kills and eight blocks compared with the Bulldog’s 39 points (0.352), 29 kills and seven blocks.
Up Next
UNLV will be on the road to Logan, Utah to face the Utah State Aggies on Oct. 14 at 6 p.m. before traveling to Boise, Idaho to face the Boise State Broncos on Oct. 16 at 11 a.m. Both games can be watched on the Mountain West Network.
