LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) – The UNLV volleyball team was on the wrong end of a 3-0 decision Tuesday night, as the New Mexico Lobos claimed the Mountain West contest in straight sets. The Lobos, which won the match behind set scores of 25-18, 25-20, 25-17, drew even with the Rebels in the conference standings for fourth place with identical 6-5 marks. For the year, UNLV is 15-8; UNM 12-11.
The Cherry & Silver outhit the Scarlet & Gray by 167 points (.327 to .160) with help from 10 more kills (44-34) and six fewer errors (12-18) in two fewer attack attempts (98-100). The Lobos' hitting efficiency improved as the match progressed, as they began with a .286 effort in the first set and followed it with a .343 and .357 in the second and third, respectively. The Rebels, on the other hand, topped out with a .314 average in the second, but posted a .161 in the first and a .000 in the third.
UNM also owned advantages in assists (40-31), aces (6-2), digs (43-36) and total team blocks (7.0-5.0)
STAT OF THE GAME: As the Lobos' upped their hitting efficiency in each subsequent set; the attackers lessened the amount of errors committed frame by frame. UNM began the bout with six errors and then decreased them to four and then two. UNLV had six and two errors in the first and second, respectively, but uncharacteristically had 10 in the third.
REBEL OF THE GAME: Rebel setter
Antonette Rolda led the team in both assists and digs with 29 and eight, respectively. Rolda also added one kill and one assisted block.
REBEL NOTES:
- UNLV played Tuesday's match without the services of
Mariena Hayden, who was held out due to an injury.
- UNLV is now 9-3 at home this season after Tuesday's loss; the second straight suffered by the Rebels at the Cox Pavilion after beginning the year 9-1.
- UNLV had played nine straight to four sets to a 5-4 mark prior to Tuesday's three-set match; the last time they played a match concluding in three or five sets was on Sept. 20 against Boise State – a 3-0 UNLV win.
- UNLV had been 6-0 in three-set matches prior to Tuesday's loss.
- UNLV had five players register four or more kills in Tuesday's match, with a team-high nine from
Elsa Descamps and eight more from
Thea Sweder.
Kate Brennan (six),
Erin Davis (five) and
Macy Smith (four) rounded out the quartet.
NEXT FOR THE REBELS: UNLV closes out its four-match homestand Thursday night with a bout against the Air Force Falcons. First serve is scheduled for 6:00 pm.
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.
