SEATTLE (UNLVRebels.com) – The defending Mountain West regular-season champion UNLV volleyball team defeated Memphis 3-0 (25-23, 25-20, 25-22) on Thursday afternoon at the University of Washington Tournament at Alaska Airlines Arena.

Isabel Martin led the Rebels (3-3) with a match-high 11 kills. Gabrielle Arretche-Ramos contributed eight, while Jordyn Freeman had seven. Livvy Setla recorded eight digs, while Arien Fafard and Olivia Mikkelsen led UNLV in assists with 17 and 16, respectively. Freeman led with a hitting percentage of .636, while committing zero hitting errors.

Reilly Briggs led the Tigers (2-5) with six kills. Loren Robertson finished in double figures in assists with 17. Tabytha Toelke contributed 10 digs, while Robertson had nine. The Tigers were led in hitting percentage by Clara Bednarek at .400.

The Rebels out-hit the Tigers for the match, .295 to .123, recorded 18 more total kills (41-23) and 17 more total assists (39-22). There were 31 ties and 14 lead changes throughout the match.

News & Notes:

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

NEXT FOR THE REBELS: The Rebels will play two matches on Friday in the tournament, facing Florida International at 11 a.m. and host Washington at 7 p.m. Stream and live stat links will be available via a link at UNLVRebels.com.

HOME OPENER: UNLV will host its first home match on Tuesday, Sept. 12 against Southern Utah before welcoming Coppin State, Portland and Lamar to the Cox Pavilion at the UNLV Tournament Thursday-Saturday, Sept. 14-16. The full season schedule may be found here.

UNLV SEASON TICKETS: Season tickets for UNLV volleyball are on sale now and may be purchased at UNLVtickets.com or by calling 702-739-FANS (3267). Season tickets are $50 for adults (13 and older), and $40 for active alumni, seniors, and faculty and staff.

-UNLV-