LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) – The UNLV volleyball team (9-4, 1-0) found itself down 2-0 in the third set during its Mountain West opener Tuesday night against San Diego State at Cox Pavilion.

But when the Rebels needed a run, they got it. UNLV finished the third set scoring eight of the final 11 points, then took the fourth set before having to come from behind again in the fifth, ending the match on a 7-3 spurt to secure the 3-2 victory.

When all was said and done, UNLV came away with its fifth straight win on the season by scores of 21-25, 16-25, 25-20, 25-20 and 15-13 and is 1-0 in MW action.

The MW Offensive Player of the Week Isabel Martin again led the Rebels as she had a match-high 21 kills and a team-high-tying nine digs. Gabrielle Arretche-Ramos added 15 kills, Arien Fafard had a match-high 30 assists with eight digs, MW Freshman of the Week Caleigh King added a team-high-tying nine digs and Jordyn Freeman collected six block assists.

San Diego State (5-7, 0-1) was led by Madison Corf's 17 kills, Fatimah Hall's 23 assists and McKenna Douglas' 13 digs. 

Dakota Quinlan hit a team-high .600 with six kills and no errors as UNLV out-hit the Aztecs as a team .261 to .229. Over the course of the match there were 27 ties and 15 lead changes.

It marked UNLV's third straight win over San Diego State and the Rebels have now won six of the last seven meetings in the series. 

NEXT FOR THE REBELS: UNLV will close out its six-match homestand on Thursday, Sept. 21 against San Jose State. The 6:30 p.m. match at Cox Pavilion will be Polynesian Night. Free food will be available for all at the pregame tailgate and $2 beers will be available inside (all promotions are while supplies last). Fans will also be encouraged to donate to the American Red Cross' Maui Relief Fund.

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.

NEWS & NOTES:

• The Rebels, who are led by first-year head coach Malia Shoji, returned 11 letterwinners from last season's Mountain West regular-season championship team.

• UNLV, which has been named the preseason league favorite along with Utah State in a poll voted on by the conference's head coaches, has added five new players to their 2023 roster.

• 2022 Mountain West Player of the Year Isabel Martin is back and was also named the 2023 Preseason MW Player of the Year.

• Also returning are last season's all-conference honorees: senior outside hitter Gabrielle Arretche-Ramos and senior middle blocker Jordyn Freeman. 

• Martin also earned all-region honors last season and was named an honorable mention All-American.

• UNLV went 26-5 overall in 2022, including a 17-1 record in Mountain West play, and made another NCAA Tournament appearance.