Sept. 19, 2008
Final Stats
DENVER - The UNLV Rebels (5-6) had their three-match winning streak snapped with a 3-1 loss in its first match of the University of Denver Invitational to the host Pioneers in the Mile High City Friday night. UNLV got off to a strong start by winning the first set in its fourth straight match, but Denver rallied back to win sets two through four for the victory. DU won the match by set scores of 24-26, 25-17, 28-26, 25-16.
The Rebels were out-hit .262 to .160. More strikingly, DU smashed 16 more kills (66-to-48) than UNLV and had one less error (24-to-25). The Pioneers swung .132 with nine errors in their first set, but turned things around as the match progressed. DU hit between .235 and .484 the remainder of the match. UNLV came out with a .152 in its first-set win, but followed that up with a .030 in the second frame. The Rebels registered a .244 to DU's .235 in the third, but the home team took the set.
For the first time in six matches (Cal State Fullerton on Sept. 6), UNLV's offense produced three double-digit attackers. Erin Greenwood led the Rebels with 14 kills and blocked five DU attacks (one solo). Cursty Jackson and Jessica Walters tallied 13 kills apiece. Jackson led all Rebels in hitting efficiency with her .360 average.
Melody Nua dished out 30 of UNLV's 40 assists. Nua had nine digs, but was one shy of amassing a double-double.
Camille Cunningham and Kela Lau Hee reached double figures in digs, as they stopped 15 and 10 Pioneer attacks, respectively.
Denver got double-doubles from Emmy Davidsmeyer and Holly Benson. Davidsmeyer combined her match-high 19 kills with 12 digs for the feat, while Benson paired 11 kills with a match-best 18 digs.
Clare Maxwell came one dig shy of notching a triple-double for DU, as she had 11 kills, 48 assists and nine digs.
Kerry Porter rounded out the Pioneer hitters with 10 or more kills with her 16 successful swings.
Kacie Wikierak and Jordan Raines joined Davidsmeyer and Benson in the double-digit digs category with their 11 contributions.
The Rebels return to action at Hamilton Gymnasium with two matches Saturday in the Invitational. UNLV will open up with a 9:00 am PT match with SMU before closing its portion of the tournament with a 4:00 pm PT contest against Georgia State.
