Sept. 8, 2007
Final Stats
RENO, Nev. - The UNLV volleyball team improved to 8-1 on the year and won its third-straight tournament title with a sweep of its competition at the AT&T Invitational this weekend in Reno, Nev. The Rebels disposed of the Hofstra Pride (5-4) on Saturday night by a score of 3-0 (30-25, 33-31, 30-27).
The 8-1 start is the best start in the history of UNLV volleyball. On top of beginning the year with eight wins in nine matches, the Rebels have won seven straight. The seven-match winning streak equals that of the start of the 1999 season, in which, the Rebels started 7-0. The most consecutive wins are 10 by the 1998 squad.
UNLV's Melody Nua was named the Invitational's MVP, which marks her third such accomplishment after earning similar honors in the UNLV Tournament and the Four Points Sheraton LAX Classic over the past two weekends. Lauren Miramontes was named to her third all-tournament team of the year, while Maria Aladjova was selected for the first time.
Aladjova led the Rebels with her seventh double-double of the season. Aladjova nailed down 11 kills and registered 10 digs.
Jessica Walters and Lauren Miramontes joined Aladjova in racking up double-digit kill matches. Walters tied for a match-lead of 15, while Miramontes dropped in 13.
Nua assisted on 40 of the Rebels' 50 kills, while Jada Walker had 15 digs.
Harmonie Calinda and Shellane Ogoshi tallied double-doubles for Hofstra. Calinda used a combination of kills (12) and digs (10) to achieve the feat, while Ogoshi used assists (49) and digs (16).
Monica Knight led the Pride in kills with 15 and was joined in double-digits by Lauren Engle and her 14.
The Rebels out-hit the Pride by a .309 to .236 margin. UNLV hit above the .204 mark (game three) in all three games with a .408 high in the second frame and a .317 in the first game. Hofstra ranged between .167 (third game) and .294 (second game).
UNLV returns to action this Thursday, Sept. 13, with its Mountain West Conference opener. The Rebels welcome the BYU Cougars to the Cox Pavilion at 7:00 pm. The Rebels will then stay home and play the Utah Utes on Saturday, Sept. 15, at 1:00 pm. The two home matches will be the first for UNLV after spending the past six on the road.
AT&T Invitational All-Tournament Team
MVP - Melody Nua, UNLVLauren Miramontes, UNLVMaria AladjovaTeal Ericson, Nevada, RenoKelly Hyder, Washington StateBrittany Johnson, Washington StateShellane Ogoshi, Hofstra
