LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) – The UNLV volleyball team hits the road for a pair of Mountain West matches in the Golden State this week. The Rebels begin their trek with a Thursday night affair (6:00 pm) against the San Diego Aztecs at Aztec Court at Peterson Gym. The trip concludes two days later, Saturday at 1:00 pm, in Fresno against the Fresno State Bulldogs at the Save Mart Center.
UNLV enters the MW contests on a two-match losing streak after it suffered a heartbreaking, 3-2 loss on the road against the Wyoming Cowgirls last Thursday as well as a 3-1 defeat to the then-No. 17 Colorado State Rams, who have since jumped one spot to No. 16 in this week's AVCA Top-25 Poll, at the Cox Pavilion Saturday.
SDSU and FS faced the same opponents last week with the former going 1-1 against the San Jose State Spartans and the UNR Wolf Pack, while the latter was perfect in both contests. The Aztecs began conference play with a five-set victory over SJSU (home), but dropped a four-set affair to UNR (away). The Bulldogs, on the other hand, only needed three sets to get past UNR (home) and SJSU (away).
This is the first of two meetings the Scarlet & Gray will have against SDSU and FS with the second round of action slated for Oct. 31 and Nov. 2 in Las Vegas at the Cox Pavilion.
TUNE IN, WATCH & LISTEN: Fans can follow this week's Mountain West matches at San Diego State and Fresno State by various means: live stats, live video and social media. Links to stats and live video - via the Mountain West Network - can be found online at UNLVRebels.com in the "schedule" section of the team's volleyball page as well as on the team's official social media channels.
ON THE SIDELINES: UNLV returns to Las Vegas and the Cox Pavilion to host the Utah State Aggies and Boise State Broncos on Oct. 10 and 12, respectively. The Rebels and Aggies will square off on Thursday 6:30 pm), while the Broncos come to town for a Saturday matinee (2:00 pm).
TOP-25 OPPOSITION FACED: UNLV has played two opponents that have cracked the AVCA Top-25 Poll this season. Currently, the Rebels have faced Colorado State (12-1) and California (11-1) which sit No. 16 and 19, respectively, with a combined 23-2 record. The squads moved into the top 25 in week three (Sept. 16), with CSU initially ranked No. 22 and Cal at No. 24.
Cal was not ranked when it faced UNLV on Sept. 7; CSU was No. 17 on Sept. 28.
SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION
>San Diego State: The Aztecs are 8-5 through five weeks of play, going 1-1 last week in Mountain West play with a 3-2 win at home against San Jose State and a 3-1 loss on the road against UNR ... The Aztecs began the year 4-1; however, they have gone 4-3 in their last seven, to date ... The Aztecs, who returned four starters, including their libero, and 12 letterwinners, were picked to finish eighth in the MW after posting an eighth-place finish with an 8-10 mark one year ago, and a 10-21 overall record.
>Fresno State: The Bulldogs are 9-5 through five weeks of play, going 2-0 last week in Mountain West play with two straight 3-0 sweeps of UNR at home and San Jose State on the road ... The Bulldogs enter the week riding a four-match winning streak all by 3-0 scores over San Francisco, CSU Bakersfield and last week's opponents ... The Bulldogs began the year 5-5 before this current winning stretch ... The Bulldogs, who return two starters, including their libero, and four letterwinners, were picked to finish sixth in the MW after posting a second-place finish with a 13-5 mark one year ago, and a 22-11 overall record.
PURCHASE TICKETS: Tickets for the 2019 volleyball season are on sale now and can be purchased online at UNLVTickets.com. Fans can also get their tickets in person at the Thomas & Mack Center Box Office or by call 702-739-FANS (3267). Season tickets are only $50 for adults and $40 for seniors (62+), faculty and staff, and active alumni.
Tickets for individual matches are $8 for adults and $6 for seniors, faculty and staff. Additionally, fans that purchase tickets online up to 11:59 pm prior to match day can get them for an advanced single-match price of $5. Tickets for groups of 15 or more are only $4 apiece.
All high school, middle school and elementary students are free under UNLV's admission policy. To receive free admission, high school students must present a valid Nevada area school I.D. at the box office on match day to receive one (1) complimentary ticket. All other students will receive one complimentary ticket at the box office (no I.D. required). Kids not yet elementary age will continue to receive free admission for all UNLV Olympic sports.