LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) – The UNLV volleyball team remains in Las Vegas this week for a pair of Mountain West matches against the New Mexico Lobos and the Air Force Falcons in the Cox Pavilion. These two affairs signal the end of the Rebels four-match homestand, which began last week with a pair of four-set bouts versus the Wyoming Cowgirls and the Colorado State Rams. Both of this week's bouts are scheduled to start at 6:00 pm.
The Scarlet & Gray is in the midst of a stretch that will see it play eight of 12 at home, and the run began with wins over back-to-back 3-1 wins over San Jose State (Oct. 4) and UNR (Oct. 6).
TUNE IN, WATCH & LISTEN: Live stats for both of UNLV's matches this week can be found online at UNLVRebels.com in the "schedule" section of the volleyball page. Additionally, each contest will be streamed live via the Mountain West Network, and, they too, will be linked to UNLVRebels.com.
ON THE SIDELINES: UNLV begins a stretch that will see it play four of its final six matches on the road, beginning with next week's contests at UNR and San Jose State on Nov. 1 and Nov. 3, respectively.
MARIENA(CE) TO SOCIETY: One year ago,
Mariena Hayden concluded her freshman season with a total of 43 aces in 31 matches. Thus far, in 2018, she has aced 76 serves in only 22 contests. Not only are those 76 aces the most by a Rebel in a single season and career, but they rank first overall in the NCAA (through Oct. 21). Additionally, her average of 0.90 aces per set is also tops in the nation.
Hayden's closest competitors Alcorn State's Fiapaipai Iosia and South Carolina's Aubrey Ezell sit second (62) and third (53), respectively, in service aces. The two flip spots in aces per set, as Ezell is second (0.77) and Iosia is third (0.71).
WHAT-A-START: UNLV's 15-7 record through 22 matches is the fourth-best registered by a Rebel squad in program history. There are only four editions that have better win-loss records, with the 2007 and 2016 squads sitting in first with identical 19-3 displays. Sitting second and third are 2014's 17-5 and 1998's 16-6 marks.
BACK HOME AGAIN: UNLV welcomes the San Diego State Aztecs and Fresno State Bulldogs to Las Vegas and the Cox Pavilion on Nov. 8 and 10, respectively. These two matches signal the completion of the Rebels' home schedule, as two road affairs at Colorado State and Wyoming will close out the team's regular season the following week.
MAKING THE TURN: Thursday's match between UNLV and Wyoming signaled the end of the first half of the Mountain West season for both teams. The Rebels opened the second half of the MW campaign against Colorado State, and will play four of their final eight matches at home.
To date, nine of the MW's 11 squads have played 10 times, while Fresno State and Air Force have only taken the court nine times against a conference foe. FS leads the league at 8-1, while CSU (8-2), Wyoming (7-3) and UNLV (6-4) round out first through fourth. In all, seven teams own .500 or better marks, as Boise State, New Mexico and San Diego State are tied for fifth at 5-5.
SCOUTING THIS WEEK'S OPPOSITION
Tuesdays's Opponent: New Mexico Lobos (11-11 overall, 5-5 MW)
-The Lobos have lost four straight, with losses to San Diego State, Fresno State, Colorado State and Wyoming.
-The Lobos began the year with a pair of losses, but followed it with 11 wins in their next 15 matches for a 11-7 mark.
-The Lobos have played the majority of their matches to either three or five sets with a 2-6 record in the former and 5-3 mark in the latter.
-The Lobos are 6-3 at home, but a combined 5-9 away from Albuquerque.
-The Rebels lead the all-time series 24-17, and has won eight of the last 12; however, the Lobos have won two straight, including a 3-1 home affair last month (Sept. 26).
Thursday's Opponent: Air Force Falcons (13-10 overall, 3-6 MW)
-The Falcons have lost two straight, with losses to Utah State and Boise State.
-The Falcons began the year with a loss, but followed it with 12 wins in their next 15 matches; however, they're suffering through a 1-6 stretch.
-The Falcons have played nine five-set matches to a 3-6 mark, while they've gone 5-2 in both three-set and four-set bouts.
-The Falcons are 9-4 at home, but a combined 4-6 away from Colorado Springs.
-The Rebels lead the all-time series 39-5; however, the teams have split the last six meetings. The Falcons have won the last two, including a 3-1 home affair last month (Sept. 28).
PURCHASE TICKETS: Single-game ticket prices this season are $8 for adults, $6 for faculty/staff and seniors, although a special internet price of $5 is available for all tickets bought online at UNLVTickets.com, good up to three hours before the match. All high school, middle school and elementary students are now free under UNLV's new admission policy. To receive free admission, high school students must present valid Nevada area school I.D. at the box office on gameday to receive one (1) complimentary ticket. All other students will receive a complimentary ticket at the box office (no I.D. required). Kids not yet elementary school age will continue to receive free admission for all UNLV Olympic sports.
