LAS VEGAS (UNLVrebels.com) – The UNLV volleyball team (10-7, 3-3 MW) continue the 2024 season with a full weekend on their home court in Cox Pavilion, hosting Wyoming and Colorado State.
 
The Scarlet & Gray will first face off against the Cowgirls on Thursday, Oct. 17 at 6:30 p.m. PT. The match is set as the team's Mental Health Awareness Night, the following match against Colorado State being dubbed as their Dig For A Cure match. That latter battle against the Rams is set for a start time of 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 19. The Rebels split last weekend on the road, taking down San Jose State on a score of 3-1 and falling to Fresno State 3-1.
 
UNLV has been the front-runner in the Mountain West for blocks since the league moved into conference play, the Rebels averaging 2.71 blocks per set. Rheanna Deen-Jackson has been a huge boost to the UNLV frontline to push them into the league-leader for the stat, the freshman averaging 1.46 blocks per set during conference play for the top spot in the Mountain West. Chloe Thomas helps boost that team average as well with 1.08 blocks per set of her own, ranking seventh in the league. The team's frontline is complimented well by a strong backline, Caleigh King among the top-three individuals in digs per set during MW play at 4.25. 
 
The team's offense has made moves in the rankings as well after last week, Arien Fafard moving up to the no. 3 spot in the conference in service aces per set at 0.50. The senior setter has set up her outside hitters to emerge in the top 10 in kills per set as well, freshman Basia Latos rounding out the top 10 rankings in the statistical category with 2.96 of her own.
 
ABOUT THE OPPONENTS:
 
Wyoming (10-6, 2-4 MW)
The Cowgirls will aim to make Thursday night's match a battle of the defenses, Wyoming holding similar individual numbers alongside the Rebels in both kills and digs. Sarah Holcomb has proved to be a two-way weapon during the 2024 season, ranking second during conference play in blocks per set at 1.38. Alongside her league-leading 15 solo blocks during Mountain West play is a strong hitting percentage, picking up kills on a .336 rate from her attacks with only eight attack errors in the team's six matches. Sierra Grizzle will be a threat to the Rebels on the defense and the serve, tied with King in digs per set (4.25) and tied sixth in service aces per set (0.38).
 
Colorado State (9-7, 5-1)
After competing in an incredibly strong non-conference schedule, the Rams have emerged as one of the frontrunners of the conference off the backs of several top marks within the league. Colorado State's offense ranks first in the Mountain West in hitting percentage (.310), assists per set (12.76) and kills per set (13.72). Malaya Jones sits at the no. 2 spot in the league for kills per set (4.32), Naeemah Weathers (.479) and Karina Leber (.400) each ranking within the Mountain West's most efficient hitters at first and third, respectively. Emery Herman facilitates  her hitters with the only Mountain West student-athlete to average 10 or more set assists per set during conference play, pushing a rate of 10.52.
 
WHERE TO WATCH:
 
Fans can catch both road matches on the Mountain West Network, which can be found here as well as links to the matches' tickets, livestats, etc. Fans can also follow along on the team's social media accounts: Twitter / X, Instagram and Facebook. News and updates on the Rebels will also be posted online at UNLVrebels.com.