LAS VEGAS (UNLVrebels.com) – The UNLV volleyball team (12-9, 4-5 Mountain West) kicked off homecoming week festivities and their weekend of matches against Utah State on Thursday, hosting the Aggies in Cox Pavilion. After the Rebels took the lead early, Utah State came back in the match to win in five sets with a 3-2 final score.
 
Utah State (15-5, 8-1) won 20-25, 17-25, 25-22, 25-23 and 15-12. The Rebels outpaced the Aggies in their hitting rate, emerging in favor .312 against Utah State's .231. UNLV also totaled 14 blocks in the contest, the sixth game this season the program has reached double digits in total blocks.
 
The Rebels were led by Isabel Martin, the senior collecting 29 kills in the contest to go along with her 11 digs in the match. Chloe Thomas was the only other student-athlete to reach double-digit kills in the contest, her 11 kills the fourth time this season she's had 10 or more in a game. Arien Fafard racked up her second-highest assist total of the season (46) against the Aggies, also recording 11 digs and a solo block on the front line. Livvy Setla and Caleigh King each reached 12 digs in the contest as well, Setla garnering four service aces with King recording two of her own. 
 
UNLV featured four different student-athletes that hit a .300 rate or higher, Fafard leading the way at .444 with her four kills on nine attempts. Martin finished the match at a .388 rate, Jordyn Freeman putting together a .357 rate of her own in six kills. Freeman also totaled seven block assists in the match, the second time in four games. Dakota Quinlan was the final Rebel to hit over .300, earning five kills on her .313 rate.
 
The Aggies were led by Shelby Capllonch with 19 kills in the match, Adna Mehmedovic right behind her at 17. The program split their setters near even, Leah Wilton-LaBoy totaling 24 assists and Beatriz Rodrigues earning 23.
 
NEXT FOR THE REBELS: UNLV will look to bounce back later this weekend, traveling north to Idaho to take on Boise State on Saturday, Oct. 21. The contest will be taking place at 11 a.m. PT in the Bronco Gym to start UNLV's first of three-straight games on the road.
 
2023 TICKETS: Tickets for UNLV volleyball may be purchased at UNLVtickets.com or by calling 702-739-3267. Single game tickets are $6 per adult when purchased in advance of game day, $10 on game day and free for kids in high school or younger.