Oct. 20, 2006
Final Stats
PROVO, Utah - UNLV volleyball lost for just the second time in seven matches, dropping a 3-0 match to No. 18 BYU on Friday night by scores of 30-27, 30-24 and 30-23 at the Smith Fieldhouse.
The sweep marks just the third time this season that the Rebels (14-7, 5-4 MWC) failed to win at least one game in a match and it also was the 10th straight time that the Cougars (17-2, 8-1 MWC) beat UNLV.
UNLV kept it close early in the opening game, leading at one point 10-7 and playing to a 12-12 tie midway through before BYU went on an 8-1 run gain control of the game. The Rebels would get as close as 28-26 on a kill by Michelle Banks but could not overcome the deficit. In the second game the Cougars jumped out to a quick 10-4 lead and would never let go of the lead to grab a commanding 2-0 lead in the match.
Following the intermission, UNLV came out and battled BYU in a back-and-forth third game, one in which both team would lead early on. In fact the Rebels held an 18-15 advantage following a kill by Jessica Walters. But the Cougars would regroup and reel off six-straight points to go up 21-18, forcing UNLV head coach Allison Keeley to take a time out. UNLV would close to within two points twice following the timeout, but could not complete the comeback and prolong the match.
The Rebels were led by Banks and Maria Aladjova, who each knocked down 10 kills on the evening while Melody Nua chipped in 17 assists and 13 digs. BYU was paced by Chelsea Goodman who had 22 kills and 10 digs.
UNLV will continue its Beehive State trip, playing Utah on Sunday at Crimson Court in Salt Lake City with the match scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. (PDT).
