Nov. 5, 2005
Final Stats
Laramie, Wyo. - UNLV (12-12, 8-4 MWC) played one of its better matches offensively of the season, but took the defeat in the 3-1 (30-32, 18-30, 30-21, 24-30)battle with the Wyoming Cowgirls (9-13, 4-7 MWC). The loss drops the Rebels a game behind idle Utah (9-4 MWC) for second-place in the conference standings and snaps the team's three-match winning streak.
The Rebels had one of their more impressive hitting performances, but were overshadowed by the Cowgirls' 77 kills to their own 70. Wyoming hit for a .314 average, while UNLV was close behind with .290. One of the more impressive statistics on the night was that both teams hit above the .229 mark in every game, except one (UNLV hit for a .133 average in game four). The Rebels hit for one of their highest single-game averages in their third-game win with a .581 figure (19-1-31).
Lauren Miramontes led the Rebels for the 11th time this season in kills with a career-high 24. Miramontes' high kill numbers were backed up by her .413 hitting percentage, which was second-best on the team this evening. Maria Aladjova threw down 17 kills and had the team's highest hitting percentage at .424 of all players with more than four kills.
Aladjova and Michelle Banks racked up double-doubles on the night. Aladjova combined her 17 kills and 11 digs for her fifth double-double of the season, while Banks earned her sixth with 11 kills and 16 digs.
Melody Nua assisted on 55 of the Rebels 70 kills. Jada Walker halted 19 Cowgirl attacks, while Banks (16) and Aladjova (11) stopped some as well.
The Cowgirls got 44% of their kills from the attacking arm of Rachel Smith. Smith attempted a match-high 73 attacks and was successful for a .384 average. In those 73 attacks she only collected six errors. Andrea Steele had 14 kills, while Kelsey Loop had 13. Tasha Weishahn had the only double-double as she assisted on 60 kills and 13 digs. Michelle Weydert dug out 22 Rebel attacks for the most by any Cowgirl.
Up next for UNLV are road contests at San Diego, Calif., and Fort Worth, Texas. The Rebels will play a midweek match against the San Diego State Aztecs on Wed., Nov. 9 at 7 pm PT. On Sat., Nov. 12, the team will head to the Metroplex for its first MWC match at TCU at 5 pm PT.
