May 4, 2005
LAS VEGAS - The UNLV volleyball team closed out its spring season with three wins last Saturday on the campus of Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona. The Rebels won seven of the nine games they played, but more importantly won all three matches. UNLV book-ended victories over Arizona and Arizona State around a three-game sweep of Northern Arizona.
In the first match, UNLV defeated Arizona by scores of 30-28, 23- 30, 30-23. Jada Walker and Lauren Miramontes were the two top passers in the match, while Maria Aladjova led the Rebels in hitting with 13 kills and a .310 hitting percentage.
In the sweep of NAU, the squad won with scores of 31-29, 30-23, 30-26. Ashley Flahaven led the team with 10 kills and with a hitting percentage of .450.
In the third and final match, the Rebels took care of the host Sun Devils with wins in the first and third games. The final match score was 30-28, 25-30, 30-22. Walker and Kristin Ko'ochi were consistent in their passing. Mariana Pencheva had a great blocking match, as well as hitting at .310 clip. Aladjova and Miramontes tied for the team lead in kills with 11.
Overall the whole team contributed to each win, it was never just one person as the squad had 10 players available. At various moments in the matches the Rebels would have as many as five freshmen on the court at any given time. Michelle Banks was a key factor on the day as she kept the team motivated and led by example with her high energy.
The Rebels open up their 2005 fall season on the road in Irvine, Calif., the first weekend of September. The squad will travel to participate in the UC Irvine Tournament on the 2nd and 3rd of the month against Santa Clara, Southern Miss and the host, UC Irvine.
