Sept. 1, 2009
LAS VEGAS -
Week Two Release 
First Serve: After kicking off the 2009 season on the road in Gainesville, Fla., last weekend, the UNLV Rebels return to the friendly confines of the Cox Pavilion for seven straight matches, which includes this weekend's Alexis Park Classic. The Rebels welcome the #9 UCLA Bruins, Idaho Vandals and Loyola Marymount Lions to Las Vegas for the two-day affair.
In all, six matches will be played over the two-day period. LMU and Idaho will open the tournament on Friday, Sept. 4 at 4:30 pm prior to the UNLV-#9 UCLA contest at 7:00 pm. Saturday will feature four matches with UNLV playing Idaho at 12:30 pm and LMU at 7:00 pm.
UNLV's Alexis Park Classic Schedule:
Friday, Sept. 404:30 pm Idaho vs. Loyola Marymount07:00 pm UNLV vs. #9 UCLA
Saturday, Sept. 510:00 am Loyola Marymount vs. #9 UCLA12:30 pm UNLV vs. Idaho04:30 pm #9 UCLA vs. Idaho07:00 pm UNLV vs. Loyola Marymount
The underlined team has been designated as the home team for that match.
About #9 UCLA: The Bruins enter the weekend with a 2-1 record after their trip to the Chevron Rainbow Wahine Invitational in Honolulu. UCLA played to 3-0 scores in all three of its matches with wins over then-#25 Santa Clara and Western Michigan and a loss to then-#7 Hawai'i. Dicey McGraw is the top hitter for the Bruins, as she has accumulated 32 kills in nine sets for a 3.56 kills-per-set average and a .379 hitting efficiency. In all, the squad has five players in double-digit kill figures. Lauren Cook owns 92 of the team's 116 registered assists. Lainey Gera leads a quintet of Bruins in dig double-figures with 33 of her own.
About Idaho: The Vandals enter the weekend with a 2-1 record after their trip to the Crowne Plaza Titan Classic in Fullerton, Calif. Idaho swept its first two matches against Appalachian State and Lamar before losing to Cal State Fullerton by a 3-2 score. Sarah Conwell is the top hitter for the Vandals, as she has amassed 34 kills in 11 sets for a 3.09 kills-per-set average. In all, the squad has six players in double-digit kill figures. Katie Tribley and Jennifer Feicht have split the setting duties for the team, as they own 66 and 38 assists, respectively. Meredith Rice is one of eight Vandals to rack up 10 or more digs through the first week of play. Rice leads the team with 42. Anna McKinney lead the team at the net with 20 blocks (one solo).
About Loyola Marymount: The Lions enter the weekend with a perfect 3-0 record after their trip to TCU Invitational in Fort Worth, Texas. LMU opened up with sweeps of Grambling State and Arkansas before knocking off TCU by a 3-1 score in the tournament's championship match. Alaina Bergsma is the top hitter for the Lions, as she has tallied 46 kills in 10 sets for a 4.60 kills-per-set average. In all, the squad has six players in double-digit kill figures. Alesha Young owns 103 of the team's 141 assists. Lauren DeGrandmont is one of five LMU players to rack up double-figures in digs, as she leads with 41.
On The Sidelines: The Rebels remain home to host their Alexis Park Invitational on Sept. 10-12. UNLV will be joined by the Oregon State Beavers and the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos in the three-day round robin event.
The teams will only play two matches. UNLV will face UCSB on Thursday, Sept. 10 at 7:00 pm and OSU on Saturday, Sept. 12 at 3:30 pm. UCSB and OSU will be the only match on Friday, Sept. 9 at 6:00 pm.
Greenwood Makes All-Tournament Team: Erin Greenwood was named to the 2009 Campus USA Credit Union Invitational All-Tournament Team after her performance in the Rebels' two matches in Gainesville, Fla. Greenwood hit at a staggering .500 clip, while racking up 16 kills for a 2.29 kills-per-set average. At the net, she led the team in blocks with nine solo putbacks.
Against then-#8 Florida, she hit .455 with six kills on 11 swings. She had five assisted blocks and one dig.
Against Valparaiso, she hit .529 with 10 kills, four assisted blocks, two digs and one assist.
Campus USA Credit Union Invitational All-Tournament Team:
MVP - Kelly Murphy, Florida
Kristy Jaeckel, FloridaColleen Ward, FloridaKaitlyn Burkett, ColoradoErin Greenwood, UNLVTaylor Root, Valparaiso
This Weekend's Promotions: Friday, September 4th: "Opening Night" with the Rebel Kids Club (vs. UCLA) -Rebel Kids Club members can enjoy learning volleyball skills from the UNLV coaches and players before the match at 5:00 PM.
-Honorary Captains have the chance to be introduced with the Rebel starting line-up.
-All kids can get autographs immediately following the match.
-FREE Posters and Schedule Cards will be handed out to each fan at the entrance of the Cox Pavilion.
-For more information on the Rebel Kids Club go to www.UNLVRebels.com.
Season Long Promotions: -Season Tickets are only $40.
-Regular adult tickets per game are $7.00 for adults.
-Kids 12 and under are FREE all season long.
-Students are FREE with Rebel Card!
-Get your high school volleyball team in for FREE! Just have your coach email the team roster to Rebecca.McDonald@unlv.edu or Elaini.Kollias@unlv.edu. Be sure to bring valid ID!
