Box Score

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (UNLVRebels.com) - The UNLV volleyball team (11-7 overall, 4-2 Mountain West) suffered a 3-0 defeat to the Air Force Falcons (9-12, 2-4 MW) at Falcon Court Thursday night. Air Force, who was led by 15-kill efforts from both Akokwe Clement and Shelley Spires, claimed the match behind set scores of 25-21, 25-17, 25-21.

Not only did the loss snap UNLV's three-match winning streak the team carried into Thursday's affair, but it also ended a run of 31 straight victories â€" 15 of which had occurred in Colorado Springs â€" in the head-to-head series with the Falcons. The Rebels last setback to USAFA was on Oct. 23, 1999 by a 3-1 margin during the inaugural year of the Conference.

UNLV was outhit by 158 points (.114 to .272) in the match despite having four fewer attack errors (18-22). The Falcons managed to register 22 more kills (50-28) in 25 more swings (103-88), and hit within a range of .310 (second set) and .250 (third) throughout the contest. The Rebels, on the other hand, topped out at .156 in the opening frame, but also hit .069 (second) and .111 (third).

"This was a really disappointing night for the Rebels," said head coach Cindy Fredrick. "We didn't pass, hit, block or play defense well. All the credit to Air Force, as they came out on fire and dominated the match."

Ashley Owens was a key contributor on both sides of the net for UNLV with a team-high 11 kills to couple with four total blocks (one solo). Owens was the only member of the Scarlet & Gray to reach double figures in kills, while also hitting .368.

Alyssa Wing and Bree Hammel also chipped in six and five kills, respectively. The former added seven digs and two assisted blocks to the latter's contributions of five assisted blocks.

Alexis Patterson paced the offense with a team-high 23 assists. Patterson also contributed two digs, two assisted blocks and one ace.

USAFA's Sarah Hellman led the winning side with 25 assists, while her teammate Shanleigh Conlan added 19 of her own. Rebecca Bates led the squad defensively with 17 digs.

The Rebels stay out on the road with a match in Albuquerque, N.M., against the New Mexico Lobos Saturday at 1:00 pm MT (12:00 pm PT). It'll be the second of four straight that UNLV will play away from the Cox Pavilion. The squad will travel to Fresno, Calif., and San Jose, Calif., for contests Tuesday and Thursday, respectively. UNLV is back at home on Oct. 29, against Utah State.