LAS VEGAS (UNLVrebels.com) – The UNLV volleyball team kicked off its Dig in the Desert Invitational on Thursday night, squaring off against Cal Poly in the first of two games on their slate this weekend.
 
The Mustangs (4-3) took down the Rebels (4-2) on a 3-0 final score, the sets being split at 25-22, 25-22 and 25-21. Cal Poly posted a .250 hitting percentage in the contest in comparison to UNLV's .215 mark. 
 
Dakota Quinlan led the charge for the Rebel offense, the senior collecting 12 kills in the match for a team-high. Two student-athletes on roster held seven or more kills each, Gabrielle Arretche-Ramos collecting eight off of 20 attacks and Chloe Thomas totaling seven with 19 strikes at the Cal Poly defense. Rheanna Deen-Jackson registered the highest attacking percentage out of the lineup (minimum five kills) at a .714 rate, Jordyn Freeman behind her with a .545 average.
 
Quinlan picked up her second double-double of the season in the Thursday-night match, totaling 10 digs out of the Rebels' 33 with Caleigh King behind her at eight. Arien Fafard tallied the most assists for the UNLV lineup with 18 dishes in the match, Olivia Mikkelsen totaling 15.
 
The defensive frontline featured 10 block assists in the game, Jordyn Freeman being credited for four of them for a team lead. Thomas was the only other athlete to register multiple in the match for the Scarlet & Gray, earning three. 
 
UP NEXT
The Rebels will aim to bounce back after a day off competing, next taking the court on Saturday, Sept. 14. The Scarlet & Gray will face off against North Texas in that contest to round out the Dig in the Desert Invitational, the first serve taking place at 1 p.m. PT.
 
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