LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - The UNLV volleyball team (5-4) was unable to hold onto its early lead in Thursday's 3-1 affair (29-27, 24-26, 21-25, 23-25) with the UC Riverside Highlanders on the opening day of the Dig In The Desert tournament. The Rebels claimed the first set in a back-and-forth tilt, however, the Highlanders fought back to even the score at 1-all with a win in the second and close third and fourth set, both in favor of UCR.

HOW IT WENT DOWN: UCR outhit UNLV by three points (.211 to .208), but the Rebels had two more kills (56-54) and the Highlanders committed one more error (20-19) in 17 fewer attack attempts (161-178). The Highlanders recorded better hitting efficiencies in the second and third set, including a team-best .271 in the first. The Scarlet & Gray topped out at .184 in the third and was limited to .118 in the second and .154 in the fourth. Both teams recorded 51 assists apiece along with 10 blocks apiece, while UC Riverside led in digs (83-68).

Alondra Alarcon posted a team-high 15 kills with a season-high 16 digs with two service aces. Jadia Harris notched herself 14 kills and 16 digs of her own, with two assists and two service aces. Libero Caleigh King recorded a season-high 20 digs, while Kaia Thiele posted a career-high 25 assists.