LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) – Fresh off a sweep of previously unbeaten Boise State, UNLV outside hitters
Mariena Hayden and
Shelby Capllonch were recognized for their play by the Mountain West and named the Conference's Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, respectively.
Hayden's play in the two-match series against the Broncos resulted in some impressive feats. In Friday's opener, the senior from Belle Plaine, Minnesota, threw down a career-high 27 kills and hit .377 with 24 digs, two assists and one ace. In Saturday's finale, she compiled 16 kills, 13 digs and 10 aces for her first career triple-double and only the fourth by a Rebel in MW history. Additionally, her two double-doubles gave her 50 for her career, making her only the third MW player in Conference history to reach that milestone.
Capllonch, who was the MW's defensive recipient last week, registered one double-double against the Broncos, combining 20 digs and 10 kills in Friday's contest. The Honolulu native had 15 digs and eight kills in the second affair. She also notched two assisted blocks in each match.
This marks the fourth career weekly honor for Hayden (all offensive) and third for Capllonch (one offensive/two defensive).
REBEL NOTES:
-Dating back to the 2019 campaign, UNLV has won 22 of its last 24 matches – the best run through 24 matches in program history.
-With Saturday's win, UNLV improved to 6-0 for only the third time in program history: 1999, 2016 and Spring 2021.
-Hayden joined UNLV alumnae Nicki King (Oct. 3, 2004), Bree Hammel (Sept. 4, 2015) and Alexis Patterson (Nov. 22, 2016) as the only Rebels with triple-doubles in MW history.
-Hayden joined Wyoming's Jodi Purdy (60 double-doubles from 2009-12) and Chelsea Goodman (57 from 2004-07) as the only MW student-athletes to amass 50 career double-doubles.
UP NEXT: UNLV hits the road for two Mountain West matches in Logan, Utah, against the Utah State Aggies. The first match will take place Thursday at 4:00 pm MT (3:00 pm PT) at the Wayne Estes Center, while the second is slated for Saturday at 1:00 pm MT (12:00 pm PT) at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum.
