Sept. 7, 2001
LAS VEGAS - UNLV lost its home opener to Gonzaga 3-2 (27-30, 32-30, 30-14, 26-30, 10-15). The match, part of the second annual Gameworks/UNLV Invitational, was the first UNLV athletics contest in the new Cox Pavilion. The loss drops UNLV to 1-3 overall, Gonzaga improves to 2-4.
The Rebels dropped the first game, 30-27, but battled back to take a 2-1 lead before letting the match slip away. The Zags were able to take control early in the deciding fifth game off a few unforced Rebel errors.
"We're a still a young team," said UNLV sophomore Leiana Oswald. "We'll learn from this and get better."
Oswald led the Rebels offensively with 20 kills and a .250 attack percentage (20-8-48). Patricia Assuncao picked up her third double-double of the season, notching 19 kills and 15 digs. She also added four service aces on the night.
Sheila Ocasio-Clemente, who currently ranks second in the conference in blocks per game, knocked down eight blocks to go along with seven kills. Maria Julia Goes finished with 52 assists.
Gonzaga was led by Christina Davis' 24 kills and 16 digs.
UNLV returns to the court on Saturday for the conclusion of the Gameworks/UNLV Invitational. The Rebels take on Western Carolina at 2:30 p.m. followed by a match against American at 7:30 p.m.
Western Carolina fell to American 3-0 (30-27, 30-24, 30-22) in the first match of the tournament. WCU also lost to Long Beach State in non-tournament action 3-0 (30-17, 30-15, 30-21).