Sept. 10, 2010
Final Stats
LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - The UNLV Rebels (3-4) swept past the Eastern Kentucky Colonels (1-6) by a 3-0 margin (25-11, 25-22, 25-20) Friday night in their own UNLV Invitational held in the Cox Pavilion. UNLV's offense hit on all cylinders with its .407 hitting efficiency aided by four players owning .400 or better averages in the team's home-opening match.
The Rebels began the first set with a quick 8-0 lead helped by five kills of their own doing and one ace. They never looked back in the 25-11 victory, as they hit at a .542 clip.
The second and third sets were a bit tougher for UNLV, as they faced 11 ties and four lead changes in the final two frames. EKU held the lead for most of the second stanza, but witnessed the Rebels knot things up at 18-18 and then score seven of the final 11 points in the 25-22 win. The third was back and forth early until UNLV broke a 6-6 tie to break away from its opponent.
UNLV hit no worse than .273 in any of the three sets. They hit the .273 in the second before smashing a .448 in the third and final frame.
The Colonels, on the other hand, improved in each of their sets, but the hitting wasn't enough to overcome the Rebels. EKU hit .103 in the first before upping it to .125 in the second and ending at .385 in the third.
Kelsey Keeler topped all attackers with her match-high 16 kills on .519 hitting. Keeler had 27 attempts in the match and only committed two errors. She added four blocks with one of the solo variety, as well.
Four Rebels amassed five or more kills with Sekola Falemaka leading the quartet with seven of her own. Candice Thomas, who was one of two with six kills, had a match-high .556 hitting figure.
Amanda Alles dished 29 assists to lead all setters in that category.
Kela Lau Hee was the only defender to notch a double-digit dig tally with 10.
Ashley Edmond led EKU offensively with 12 kills. Robyn Hench added a team-high 17 assists, while Abby O'Connor led the squad with six digs.
The Rebels return to action Saturday with two more matches in the UNLV Invitational. UNLV will face Pepperdine at 12:30 pm before closing out the tournament with a 7:00 pm affair with Cal State Fullerton.
In the tournament's earlier match, Cal State Fullerton upended Pepperdine by a 3-2 margin.
