Sept. 4, 2010
Final Stats
LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - The UNLV Rebels (2-4) won their finale at the Active Ankle Challege in Corvallis, Ore., over the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles (2-6) by a 3-2 margin with set scores of 23-25, 25-22, 22-25, 25-21, 15-13. This was the second time this season that UNLV has had to rally for a come-from-behind deficit after trailing by a 2-1 margin. The victory was also the 100th career win at UNLV for head coach Allison Keeley.
UNLV was able to pick up the victory despite being out-hit by a .144 to .178 clip. Both teams racked up 57 kills apiece, with the Rebels amassing four more errors (33-to-29) and attempts (137-to-127). UNLV stayed within the .050 to .185 range in hitting efficiency through all five sets, while FGCU topped out a .256 before hitting a paltry .000 in the fifth and final frame.
The match featured a total of 35 ties and 14 lead changes. Surprisingly, 33 ties and 12 lead changes occurred during the first three sets. UNLV only needed to reach the third point in the fourth frame to take control of the fourth set, while they had to rally late in the fifth to claim the match.
The Eagles jumped out to a quick 4-0 lead in the fifth before the Rebels put a point on the scoreboard. FGCU held as much as a five-point lead up until the 11-6 juncture. UNLV won eight of the final 11 points down the stretch for the decisive set win.
Amanda Alles paced the Rebel offense with her second double-double of the season and the second of her career. Alles dished out a team-high 42 assists and collected a career-high 13 digs. She added four kills and three blocks (two solo) to her stat line.
Sara Nehf was the main offensive threat for UNLV, as she threw down a match-high 21 kills that also tied for her career best, which she tallied in a win over Rutgers last weekend. She was also named to the Challenge's All-Tournament Team.
Nile Te'o was precise on the service line, as she accumulated a career-high four aces against the Eagle defense.
Besides the 13 digs from Alles, UNLV got 13 from Kela Lau Hee and 11 more from Kelsey Keeler.
FGCU was led by double-doubles from Camil Dominguez (48 assists and 14 digs) and Lindsey Childs (10 kills and 11 digs). Jacqueline Cowden topped all Eagle attackers with 14 kills and also added six blocks (two solo).
The Rebels return to action against Eastern Kentucky next Friday night (Sept. 10) in their own UNLV Invitational that will be played in the Cox Pavilion.
Active Ankle Challenge All-Tournament Team
MVP - Lexi Zimmerman, MichiganAlex Hunt, MichiganJill Sawatzky, Oregon StateMegan McBride, Oregon StateSara Nehf, UNLVCamil Dominguez, Florida Gulf Coast
