Oct. 9, 2004
Final Stats
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah - UNLV struggled hitting the ball and No. 20 Utah took advantage, beating the Rebels 3-1 Friday night at Crimson Court in Salt Lake City, Utah.
The Rebels dropped to 8-6 on the season, 2-2 in the Mountain West Conference. Utah moved to 12-2 and remained perfect in MWC play at 4-0.
The difference in the match came at the net, where the Rebels couldn't hit through the Utes' defense. UNLV hit a combined .073 for the match, the first time this season that UNLV didn't hit at least .100 this season. In the first game of the match, a 30-18 Utah win, the Rebels committed more errors (15) than kills (12) and hit a -.058. In the third and fourth game, which Utah took 30-18 and 30-26, the Rebels didn't reach .100, hitting .085 and .024.
When the Rebels did hit the ball well, they were successful. UNLV won the second game 30-24, knocking down 17 kills to only six errors while hitting .282.
Freshman outside hitter Maria Aladjova posted her first career double-double with 12 kills and 11 digs to lead the Rebels. Sophomore middle Lauren Miramontes added 15 kills while senior setter Nicki King had 28 assists.
Lyndsey Henderson had 14 kills and a season-high seven blocks, including 12 assists, to lead Utah. Henderson's ability to clog the net attributed to UNLV's hitting woes and Utah finished the match with 16.5 blocks
The Rebels remain in Utah and will play BYU in another MWC match, as the Rebels play the Cougars on Saturday in Provo at 6:00 p.m. (PST).
