Aug. 26, 2005

LAS VEGAS - The start of UNLV's 2005 volleyball season did not start the the way it was hoped. The Rebels (0-1) dropped a three-game match (30-18, 30-28, 30-22) to 23rd-ranked Saint Mary's (Calif.) in the second game of the Fremont Investment & Loan Invitational in Northridge, Calif. The Gaels improved to 2-0 after winning their second-straight three-game match of the day. Earlier Friday, SMC defeated Arizona State.

The Gaels were led by outside hitter Kaui Salzman who registered 13 kills and six errors in 28 total attempts. Salzman registered a hitting percentage of .250, which was the third-best for the nationally ranked squad. Middle blocker Brittany Barker led SMC with a .500 hitting percentage (eight kills and two errors in 12 total attempts) and nine blocks. Setter Mandy Bible led the team with 32 assists. Libero Missie Stedham had eight digs in the match for the lead amongst the Gaels.

Outside hitter Maria Aladjova, the Mountain West Conference's 2004 Co-Freshman of the Year, led the Rebels with 10 kills and eight errors in 32 total attempts. Middle blocker Ashley Flahaven was tops for UNLV with a .700 hitting percentage (seven kills and no errors in 10 total attempts) and five total blocks. Libero Jada Walker, who set a UNLV record last season with 418 digs, picked up nine in the match for the lead amongst the Rebels. Setter Melody Nua registered 28 assists in her first intercollegiate volleyball game.

Overall, Saint Mary's out hit UNLV 42-to-38. The Rebels had 111 total attempts, but only hit for a .081 percentage. The Gaels, on the other hand, hit for a .253 percentage. Every attacking SMC player was on the plus-side of the percentages in attempts.

Next up for the Rebels is a Saturday doubleheader against Cal State Northridge followed by a match versus Arizona State. UNLV faces the host Matadoes at 10:30 am and the Sun Devils at 5 pm.