LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) – The UNLV volleyball team (7-0) returns to action this weekend against the San Jose State Spartans for the first time in two weeks because of COVID-19 issues. The Rebels, who last played on March 4 – a 3-0 win over Utah State, will host the Spartans twice in the Cox Pavilion, with matches scheduled for Friday and Saturday. First serve for both contests is set for 6:30 pm.
 
During the two-week layoff, the Scarlet & Gray had three matches canceled: one at Utah State (March 6) and two at New Mexico (March 12-13).
 
FOLLOW ALONG
Fans can follow this weekend's series between the Rebels and Spartans through the Mountain West Network's video stream, live stats and social media. Links to video and statistics can be found online at UNLVRebels.com in the "schedule" section of the volleyball page as well as on the team's official social media accounts: @unlvvball (Twitter and Instagram) and @UNLVRebelVolleyball (Facebook).
 
ON THE SIDELINES
Following the conclusion of this weekend's series, the Rebels will hit the road for matches in Fresno, California, and Reno, Nevada, next week. UNLV begins its trip with a single contest at Fresno State on March 25 (5:00 pm) and then faces UNR two days later on March 27 (1:00 pm).
 
BACK HOME AT THE COX PAVILION
UNLV will close out its Spring 2021 regular season at home the first weekend of April. The Rebels will welcome the Wyoming Cowgirls and Air Force Falcons to Las Vegas and the Cox Pavilion on April 1 (6:30 pm) and April 3 (1:00 pm), respectively. The season finale vs. Air Force has been designated as "Senior Day," with the volleyball program recognizing its six-member senior class.
 
RECEIVING VOTES
UNLV has been mentioned in the "receiving votes" category of the American Volleyball Coaches Association's Top 25 Poll for the past four weeks. After sweeps of San Diego State and Colorado State to start the Spring 2021 season, the Rebels made their first appearance in the Week 5 (Feb. 22) poll after they accumulated six points to share 35th place with Bowling Green.
 
Over the past three weeks, UNLV has steadily moved up six spots, going from No. 33 (March 1) to No. 30 (March 8 – tied with Michigan) to No. 29 (March 15 – tied with Tennessee).
 
Prior to the season, the volleyball program has only been ranked in the top 25 twice, with both instances occurring during the 2007 campaign (Nov. 5 and Nov. 12). In all, the Rebels have received votes for 13 consecutive weeks that season, cracking the top 25 those two instances.
 
NCAA RPI
The NCAA released its initial RPI rankings on March 7 and UNLV came in first overall behind its perfect 7-0 record. One week later (March 14) and after their layoff from COVID-19 issues, the Rebels sit third in the country behind Fairfield (4-0) and Sacred Heart (8-3), who are No. 1 and No. 2, respectively.
 
NATIONALLY SPEAKING
At the start of the week (March 14), UNLV rank 100th or better in five NCAA Division I statistical categories. Moreover, the team sits first overall in the Mountain West in all five of those categories, as well.
 
The Rebels are first overall in winning percentage (1.000) – tied with 16 others, and rank 10th in aces per set (2.12), 11th in kills per set (14.54) and 15th in both assists per set (13.38) and hitting percentage (.291).
 
Additionally, the team sits just outside the top 100 in blocks per set (104th/2.12), 107th in opponent hitting percentage (.180), 116th in digs per set (15.59) and 125th in team attacks per set (35.81). The Rebels are No. 1 and No. 2 in the MW in digs per set and team attacks per set, respectively.
 
INDIVIDUALLY SPEAKING
At the start of the week (March 14), UNLV's Mariena Hayden ranks in the top 100 of five NCAA Division I statistical categories. Hayden sits first overall in aces per set (1.00) as well as No. 6 in triple-doubles (1), No. 15 in points per set (5.23), No. 43 in hitting percentage (.387) and No. 75 in kills per set (3.96). She is first in four of those five in the Mountain West, except for kills per set, which she is third in the conference.
 
Hayden's teammate, Macy Smith, ranks 43rd in hitting percentage (.387), which is second best in the MW.
 
SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION
>San Jose State: The Spartans enter the week sporting a 4-6 overall/MW record and sit seventh in the conference standings  … The Spartans began the Spring 2021 season 1-5, but have rattled off three wins in their last four outings – all of which took place at home … The Spartans were picked to finish ninth in the MW Coaches Poll, and are led by first-year head coach Trent Kersten … The Spartans went 10-19 overall last season and finished tied for ninth in the conference with Air Force with identical 5-13 marks.