LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) – One day after learning that it earned an at-large bid into the 2018 National Invitational Volleyball Championship, the UNLV volleyball program had two of its own recognized by the Mountain West for their play during the league season. Sophomore
Mariena Hayden was selected to the MW's All-Conference Team, while freshman
Kate Brennan garnered Honorable Mention status.
Hayden led the conference in five MW-only statistical categories: points (337.0), points per set (5.11), kills (278), aces (42) and aces per set (0.64). Additionally, she was second in kills per set (4.21). The outside hitter from Belle Plaine, Minnesota, amassed nine double-doubles in league play.
In the 18-match MW campaign, Hayden notched 10 or more kills in 16 of 17 matches. More impressively, she threw down 15 or more kills in 13 of those, and broke the 20-kill barrier three times. She hit .300 or better in four of those, with a .438 (18-4-32) against Fresno State (Nov. 10). She aced a minimum of two serves in 12 matches, with six in three of the contests. Defensively, she had 172 digs with 10 or more in nine matches. She registered 29 blocks with five solo and 24 of the assisted variety.
Brennan finished sixth in the MW in hitting percentage with a .289 average. The middle blocker from Endicott, N.Y., had five or more kills in 15 league matches, with 10 or more kills in five of those. She hit .300 or better nine times and that included a .800 (8-0-10) effort vs. Air Force (Oct. 25). She added 16 aces and six assists. On the defensive side of the net, she tallied 38 blocks with four solo and 34 assisted, and had 32 digs with five or more in two bouts.
NEXT FOR THE REBELS: UNLV will host the NIVC first and second rounds at the Cox Pavilion later this week. Joining the Rebels in Las Vegas will be Fresno State, UC Irvine and UC Santa Barbara. The two-day event begins Thursday at 4:30 pm with Fresno State and UC Santa Barbara followed by UNLV and UC Irvine at 7:00 pm. The two winners will square off Friday at 7:00 pm.
THE NIVC LAS VEGAS FIELD:
-UNLV is a combined 18-21 versus the trio coming to Las Vegas for the NIVC, and has played all three at least once within the past three seasons.
-UNLV is 5-4 against UC Irvine, with the latter winning the last meeting – a 3-2 decision in Las Vegas on Sept. 8, 2017.
-UCI finished the regular season 16-12 and in third place in the Big West with a 10-6 mark.
-UNLV is 10-10 against Fresno State; however, the Bulldogs have won four straight dating back to the 2017 campaign.
-FS finished the regular season 20-10 and in second place in the Mountain West with a
-UNLV is 3-7 against UC Santa Barbara, with all three Rebel wins coming in the last four meetings, including a 3-0 victory on Aug. 26, 2016 in Las Vegas.
-UCSB finished the regular season 17-11 and in fourth place in the Big West with a 9-7 mark.
PURCHASE TICKETS: Single-game ticket prices for the NIVC 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 UNLV students as well as middle school and elementary students are now free under UNLV's new admission policy. 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.
