Nov. 1, 2001
THE OPPONENT
SAN DIEGO STATE: The Aztecs split a pair of matches last week, falling to No. 8 Colorado State, but defeated Wyoming. Five SDSU players reached double-figure kills in the win vs. the Cowgirls, including Rochelle Currier's match-high 19 kills. Not including the MWC Tournament, three of SDSU's next five matches are vs. ranked opponents, with a potential fourth ranked opponent at the Arizona Tournament.
San Diego State has won nine of the ten meetings between the two schools, including a 3-1 victory on October 5. UNLV's last victory over SDSU came on September 26, 1998 when the Rebels dominated the match 15-3, 15-12, 15-8.
THE REBELS
The Rebels posted a 1-1 record in league play last week as they held off Wyoming for a five-game win and dropped a match to No. 8 Colorado State. Patricia Assuncao (23) and Blair Wilkes (15) teamed up for 38 of UNLV's season-high 74 kills vs. the Cowgirls. Freshman Nicki King totaled a season-high 60 assists and added 15 digs for her third double-double of the year.
UNLV as a team is outblocking its opponents 207 to 118.5 this season.
ON THE BLOCK
Freshman Sheila Ocasio-Clemente continues to lead the nation in blocks with 2.08 per game. Teammate Michelle Johnson ranks 17th at 1.46 per game.
ARKANSAS TOURNAMENT CANCELLED
In the wake of the tragedies in New York City, Washington D.C. and western Pennsylvania, the UNLV volleyball team's participation in the Bank of Fayetteville Tournament at the University of Arkansas was canceled.
UNLV's match on Tuesday Oct. 9 against the New Zealand Institute of Sport has also been canceled. The New Zealand team canceled its American tour.
DOUBLE-DOUBLE CLUB
Patricia Assuncao was the first Rebel to notch a double-double on the season and now has three. She picked up a pair of double-doubles in the Nokia Sugar Bowl Classic to start the season. She had 13 kills and 12 digs against New Orleans and 11 kills and 11 digs against Tulane. She also had 19 kills and 15 digs against Gonzaga at the 2001 Gameworks/UNLV Invitational.
Michelle Johnson notched her first double-double of the season against New Orleans in the Nokia Sugar Bowl Classic. She knocked down 11 kills and 11 blocks to help the Rebels to a 3-2 victory over the Privateers.
Leiana Oswald picked up her first double-double of the season against Western Carolina in the 2001 Gameworks/UNLV Invitational. She finished the match with 12 kills and 13 digs.
Sheila Ocasio-Clemente also picked up her first double-double of the season at the 2001 Gameworks/UNLV Invitational. She knocked down 12 kills and 13 blocks against American in the final match of the tournament. Against New Mexico on Oct. 20, she knocked down 11 kills and 11 blocks.
Nicki King picked up her third double-double (15 digs, 60 assists) against Wyoming on Oct. 27. She also knotched back-to-back double-doubles against New Orleans (12 digs, 49 assists) and Western Carolina (14 digs, 40 assists) early in the season.
20-KILL CLUB
Leiana Oswald is the first Rebel to pick up 20 kills on the season. She had 20 kills on 48 attempts against Gonzaga on September 7.
Patricia Assuncao dropped 23 kills on Wyoming on Oct. 27.
SEASON HONORS
Junior middle blocker Blair Wilkes was named MVP of the Gameworks/UNLV Invitational, as voted on by the participating teams head coaches. Freshman setter Nicki King was also honored with a spot on the All-Tournament Team.
REDSHIRTS
Transfers Jodi Hendricks, Tera Mayes and Serene Hunter have redshirted the 2001-2002 season.
INJURY UPDATE
Sarah Fachner, who redshirted last season with a knee injury, has torn the anterior cruciate ligament in her knee and will likely take a medical redshirt this season.
Maria Julia Goes has a stress fracture in her foot and may be forced to sit out the remainder of the season. Having only played 11 games this season the possibility of a medical redshirt remains open to her.
PHOTOS
Members of the media can now download photos from the Mountain West Conference website. The photo gallery contains head shots and action photos of all MWC coaches. You can also download student-athlete mug shots and selected action photos from all 19 league sports.
COLLINS IS REBEL VB'S ALL-TIME WINNINGEST COACH
Deitre Collins is UNLV volleyball's all-time winningest coach with 63 wins. Karen Lamb, who compiled 39 wins from 1985-87, is second on the list.
REBELS ONLY, PLEASE! Please remember, UNLV (acronym on all references please) is home to the Rebel volleyball team -- not the Runnin' Rebels! Only the men's basketball team at UNLV is named the Runnin' Rebels.
ON THE WEB
UNLV Athletics information may be found on the web at www.unlvrebels.com...Mountain West Conference info may be obtained at www.TheMWC.com.
