Nov. 16, 2000
FORT COLLINS, CO - The third-seeded Utah Utes defeated the UNLV Rebels in four-games in the second match of the 2000 McLeodUSA Mountain West Conference Championship, 15-9, 15-3, 5-15, 15-9. The Utes will face instate rival Brigham Young in the semi-finals of the championship tomorrow at 4:00 p.m.
UNLV broke Utah's serve several times in the first game, but struggled to hold on to its own serve behind a mix of hard and soft-touch Utah sideouts. The Utes jumped out to an 11-1 lead to start the match. The Rebels were able to mount a comeback behind the arms of Michelle Johnson, Leiana Oswald and Blair Wilkes, but it came too late as Utah coasted to a 15-9 first-game victory.
The second game was initially a repeat of the first game with improved Rebel passing counterbalanced by the emergence of Utah's block. The Utes jumped out to an early 7-1 lead, but a second Rebel comeback never transpired. UNLV eventually lost 15-3, hitting a negative .083 for the second game.
The Rebels attacked in game three with remarkable precision and jumped out to a 6-0 lead, which quickly grew to 11-1. The Rebels extended the match with a 15-4 third game victory. Amber Graham led game three for the Rebels with six kills on nine attacks. Blair Wilkes continued to play well, hitting .375 (4-1-8) in the third game.
Game four started with both teams trading points to a 6-5 Utah lead before the Utes began to pull away, eventually taking the match with a 15-9 fourth and final game.
The Rebels were led by Amber Graham's 22 kills and 16 digs. Blair Wilkes and Michelle Johnson also had double-figures in kills with 15 and 12, respectively. Maria Julia Goes tallied 52 assists in the loss, a MWC tournament record for assists in a four-game match.
Graham's 22 kills for UNLV ranks third on the Mountain West Tournament chart for kills in a match and is a four-game record. Graham's 16 digs also ranks second on the four-game chart, while Shannon Chase's 12 digs is third on that same list.
"The first two games are the best that I've seen Utah play," said UNLV head coach Deitre Collins. "They were so balanced. They have always been a good passing and defensive team, but they were touching and running down balls that I've never seen them get to before. Right now, they are playing at a very high level."
UNLV travels to the Baylor Thanksgiving Classic on November 24, where the Rebels will finish the season with matches against Connecticut, UCLA and host Baylor.
