LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) – The UNLV volleyball team (15-6, 6-4) will return home to Cox Pavilion this week where it has a five-match win streak to host Boise State on Thursday, October 28 at 6:30 p.m., Utah State on Saturday, October 30 at 1 p.m. and San Diego State on Monday, November 1 at 6:30 p.m.

The match against the Broncos (15-8, 4-6) will be Polynesian Night/International Student Night, Halloween will be celebrated against the Aggies (16-6, 8-2) and the match against the Aztecs (6-16, 3-7) will be Unity/Student/Faculty & Staff Appreciation Night.

Free popcorn will be given away to the first 100 fans through the doors Thursday evening and candy will be distributed on Saturday.

TICKETS: Admission is free to UNLV volleyball home matches for all kids in high school and younger, and tickets for adults are just $6 when purchased online in advance at UNLVtickets.com.

AT COX PAVILION: UNLV has been stellar at home this season, going 5-1 with its only loss to nationally ranked Purdue. The Rebels have won each of their last five matches at Cox Pavilion.

LAST WEEK: The Rebels split their two matches last week with a five-set win over Wyoming at home on Greek Life Night last Thursday (20-25, 25-16, 23-25, 25-21, 15-5), then fell in straight sets at Colorado State on Saturday (27-25, 25-21, 29-27).

MOUNTAIN WEST PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: UNLV has been recognized six times this season with Mountain West weekly honors. Fifth-year senior Mariena Hayden has won the Offensive Player of the Week award twice, junior libero/defensive specialist Paris Oliveira was named the MW's Defensive Player of the Week following the Rebels' win at the Sparky Volleyball Invitational hosted by Arizona State on Sept. 20 and middle blocker Chloe Thomas has earned the MW's Freshman of the Week award three times.

A WINNING PROGRAM: Dating back to 2019, UNLV has gone 44-9 in its last 53 matches. The Rebels have won 15 of 21 this season and 13 of its last 17 heading into this week's action. UNLV's only two non-conference losses this season were to two ranked teams (No. 7 BYU and No. 12 Purdue).

AMONG THE NATION'S LEADERS: Hayden ranks No. 4 in the nation this season in aces per set at 0.69, 20th in points per set (5.13) and 34th in kills per set (4.09). Senior middle blocker Kate Brennan is also among the national stat leaders at 32nd in hitting percentage (.396). 

ATOP THE UNLV CAREER CHARTS: Hayden is No. 1 all-time at UNLV in career kills with 1,758 and career service aces with 315 (199 ahead of second place). She has now moved into third in career digs with 1,287. She surpassed Maria Aladjova for No. 1 in kills earlier this season. Aladjova had 1,601 from 2004-07.

FIRST WIN OVER A RANKED TEAM SINCE 2016: Earlier this season the Rebels faced three straight ranked teams: at then-No. 15 BYU, vs. then-No. 8 Purdue and vs. then-No. 25 Washington State. UNLV's win over Washington State marked its first victory over a ranked opponent since defeating then-No. 22 Utah in the NCAA Tournament in 2016. UNLV also went 2-0 vs. Pac-12 schools during non-conference play this season.

MOUNTAIN WEST FAVORITES: UNLV is the defending MW champs and were predicted to repeat this fall. The Rebels are currently tied for fourth in the conference, three matches out of first place. 

For the first time in program history, the Rebels were predicted to finish atop the MW volleyball standings by the league's 11 head coaches as the preseason poll was released in August. Fifth-year senior outside hitter Mariena Hayden was chosen as the Preseason Conference Player of the Year. 

OTHER NEWS & NOTES:

• UNLV returned nine letterwinners this season including Hayden, an All-American and MW Player of the Year, Brennan, an All-MW First Team performer. 

• Also returning to the squad from last season were Gabrielle Arretche-Ramos, Lauryn Burt, Shelby Capllonch (honorable mention All-MW), Arien Fafard, Jordyn Freeman, Paola Garcia and Paris Oliveira. There are eight newcomers, which include six freshmen and a pair of international student-athletes.

• UNLV is coming off a record-breaking season during the spring that saw the Rebels go undefeated in regular-season play (12-0) and advance to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The Rebels ended the season with a 13-1 overall record, falling to eventual national champion Kentucky.

• UNLV is led by fourth-year head coach Dawn Sullivan, who was honored following the Spring 2021 season with the MW's Coach of the Year award. 

• Hayden was named Honorable Mention All-America by the AVCA following Spring 2021 after being selected to the organization's Pacific South All-Region Team. She also was UNLV's first league Player of the Year in volleyball. 

• Hayden entered this season as the NCAA's active leader in aces (269) and aces per set (.674). Additionally, she sat 12th in total attacks (3,897), 13th in kills (1,484) and 23rd in kills per set (3.72).