Oct. 20, 2000

Box Score

LAS VEGAS - The UNLV Volleyball team fell to No. 18 Utah on Friday 3-1 (8-15, 15-5, 15-12, 15-11) in the Thomas and Mack Center. The loss drops the Rebels' record to 2-16 overall, 2-7 in the Mountain West Conference. Utah improves to 16-3 overall, 7-1 in the MWC.

The Rebels came out strong, startling the Utes with a 15-8 win in game one, but Utah came back fighting in the second game to overtake UNLV 15-5. The Rebels kept it close in games three and four but could not pull off the upset.

UNLV's Patricia Assuncao finished with a match-high 21 kills, hitting .326 (21-6-46) for the night. She also added eight digs and three blocks, all assisted.

Leiana Oswald followed close behind with 19 kills, eight digs and three blocks.

Maria Julia Goes posted a season-high 58 assists along with a match-high 20 digs for her fourth double-double performance of the year. She also put up a solo block in the losing effort.

Amber Graham added eleven kills for a .500 (11-1-20) attack percentage despite seeing limited action after being hit in the face during the second game. She returned late in the fourth game and appeared to show no signs of injury.

"I thought the team played really well despite (Amber) being out," said UNLV head coach Deitre Collins. "I think the thing we lose by not having her in is her offense. Our outside hitters did a marvelous job though."

Utah was led by Kim Turner's 16 kills and eight blocks, one solo and seven assisted. McKelle Stilson and Lenka Urbanova finished with 15 kills apiece.

"I thought our intensity was great," added Collins. "I thought we played hard all through that match. Utah made some adjustments, and they have been in a lot more matches like this than we have. We played with an 18th ranked team really well, and I'm proud of the team."

The Rebels leave for a three-game conference road trip beginning with New Mexico at 6:00 p.m. on Oct. 27.