Sept. 10, 2009
Final Stats
LAS VEGAS - The UNLV Rebels (1-5) dropped a spirited three-set match (23-25, 21-25, 17-25) to the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos (5-1) Thursday night in the opening contest of the Alexis Park Invitational at the Cox Pavilion. The loss extends UNLV's losing streak to four matches, which last occurred near the end of the 2004 campaign.
UNLV was out-hit by UCSB by a .271 to .202 margin for the match. The Gauchos racked up 47 kills to the Rebels' 35, while notching three more kills than the host school (18-to-15). UCSB began slowly with its hitting (.213 in the first) before rising to a .250 (second) and closing with a .450 (third). UNLV owned a higher hitting figure in the first (.220 to .213) and hit equal to the Gauchos in the second before succumbing to a .115 in the third.
"We played well and had good energy," said head coach Allison Keeley. "We got back into rhythm this match, but we are young and make errors. We need to work on being consistent. It was a fun match and a good one to watch."
UNLV was paced offensively by 11 kills from Sara Nehf. Leah Maurer contributed seven kills, while owning the highest hitting for the match at .636.
Amanda Alles and Samantha Richard notched double-digits in assists with 19 and 12, respectively. Richard fell two digs shy of notching a double-double with eight digs.
Samantha Noland played well around the net with her four kills and seven blocks (three solo).
Kela Lau Hee notched a match-high 10 digs.
The Gauchos had three players reach double figures in kills with Rebecca Saraceno leading the way with 14. Leah Sully and Charlene DeHoog followed closely behind with 10 apiece.
Dana Vargas had a match-high 40 assists and had eight digs.
Chelsey Lowe led UCSB defensively with her 10 digs.
The Rebels are back in action Saturday afternoon with a 3:30 pm affair against Oregon State. The tournament continues Friday night with a 6:00 pm bout between UCSB and OSU.
