Nov. 16, 2002

ALBUQUERQUE - The UNLV volleyball team dropped its final regular season match to New Mexico 3-2 (30-28, 30-24, 21-30, 25-30, 18-20) in Albuquerque, N.M. on Saturday night. The loss drops the Rebels to 6-8 in Mountain West Conference play and gives them the fifth seed heading into the conference tournament on Thursday. UNLV will play fourth-seeded BYU with the match time yet to be determined. UNLV and BYU split a pair of matches during the regular season, each team winning at home.

It took five extra points in the fifth game to determine a winner on Saturday night. The Lobos out-hit the Rebels .218 to .147 with six player reaching double-digit kills.

UNLV was led by Blair Wilkes' 20 kills and six blocks. Sarah Fachner and Leiana Oswald tallied 15 and 14 kills respectively. Oswald posted a double-double by adding 15 digs on the night.

Nicki King also finished with a double-double 65 assists and 10 digs. Shannon Chase was one kill away from her double-double, finishing with nine kills and 12 digs.

Nina Franchini led the team with 18 digs, playing at the libero spot. New Mexico was led by Anna Reines' 27 kills and four blocks. UNLV travels to Colorado State for the start of the Mountain West Conference Tournament on Thursday. The winner receives and automatic bid into the NCAA Championships.