Nov. 16, 2008
FORT COLLINS, Colo. - The UNLV volleyball team's (15-13 overall, 8-7 Mountain West) misfortunes on the road against the 16th-ranked Colorado State Rams (22-3, 12-2) continued on Sunday afternoon, as the Rebels were swept by the Rams. The Rebels were unable to duplicate the success they achieved on Oct. 16, in Las Vegas, when they upset the then 13th-ranked Rams by a 3-1 margin. CSU managed to exact some revenge, while taking today's "Senior Day" match by set scores of 27-25, 25-12, 25-22.
In all, the Rams own a 22-6 edge in head-to-head meetings and improved to 12-1 in contests played in Fort Collins. The squads have split the last eight meetings down the middle.
UNLV was held to its worst hitting efficiency of 2008, as the offense hit -.043. Coincidentally, the lowest tally over the years rendered by the Rebels prior to today's performance was a .013 at CSU on Oct. 13, 2006. Today, the Rams' defense held UNLV to a season-low 29 kills, while forcing them to make a season-high 34 errors. The Rebels' best hitting came in the third when they posted a .031, while a -.219 in the second was the worst.
CSU did not fare any better on the offensive side of the ball. The Rams tallied a .119, which is the lowest the Rebels have held an opponent in the last nine matches. CSU ranged between .054 (third set) and a .240 (second), with a .106 (first) sitting in between.
The Rebels top performer on the day was Gerryn Moran, who contributed on the offensive and defensive side equally. Moran was only one of three players that attempted an attack and registered a positive hitting efficiency, as she swung at .105. She tallied seven kills, while pitching in two assists, eight digs and four blocks (one solo).
Sara Nehf led the squad in kills with eight.
Melody Nua notched 20 assists, which marks the 26th time this season she has reached that figure in a match. Nua has now achieved double-digits in 117 of 118 career contests.
Camille Cunningham led the team in digs with 14.
CSU's Mekana Barnes was the only player to record more than 10+ kills, as she threw down 14. Barnes owned the match's best hitting efficiency with her .360. Not only was she key for the Rams when they were on offense, but she provided 10 assisted blocks on the defensive side of the net.
Ashley Fornstrom fell one dig shy of registering the match's only double-double. Fornstrom dished out a match-high 30 assists, but only picked up nine digs.
Katelin Batten topped all Ram defenders in digs with 11.
The Rebels return to action on Saturday, Nov. 22, as they will close out the Mountain West Conference season with a 1:00 pm affair vs. the Air Force Falcons.
Note: Melody Nua moved into a tie atop UNLV's all-time sets played category with Jada Walker (2004-07). The former teammates sit deadlocked with 431 sets played apiece. Nua surpassed Walker in all-time matches played this past Thursday night and became the all-time leader in assists earlier in the year.
