LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - The UNLV volleyball team begins its 18-match Mountain West schedule this week with a pair of contests against the San Jose State Spartans on Thursday, Sept. 25 at 6 p.m. PT and the Fresno State Bulldogs on Saturday, Sept. 27 at 11 a.m. PT.
UNLV is coming off a 1-1 showing at its own Dig In The Desert against UC Riverside and Southern Utah. The Rebels went four sets against both squads and bounced back with a win against the Bulldogs before falling to the Highlanders.
WHERE TO WATCH
Live stats for UNLV's two matches can be found online at UNLVRebels.com in the "schedule" section of the volleyball page. Additionally, the Scarlet & Gray's matches will be streamed on the Mountain West Network and MW App.
WHAT'S ON THE DOCKET
The UNLV volleyball team will wrap up its four-match road trip against in-state rival UNR on Thursday, Oct. 2 at 6 p.m. PT followed by Air Force on Saturday, Oct. 4 at 12 p.m. PT. The winner of the game between UNLV and UNR will earn three points in the Silver State Series presented by America First Credit Union, an all-encompassing competition between the two schools.
LAST TIME OUT
UNLV volleyball went 1-1 at the Dig In The Desert Tournament, falling to UC Riverside in four sets before defeating Southern Utah in four sets. Jaida Harris was named to the Dig In The Desert All-Tournament Team as the redshirt sophomore outside hitter tallied 4.5 kills per set registering 36 kills and a .290 clip in a pair of matches. The Las Vegas native also posted 2.75 digs per set (22 total digs). Harris recorded her first double-double of the season with 14 kills and 16 digs in a four-set loss to UC Riverside. Additionally, she captured 22 kills (.404 hitting percentage), six digs, two block assists and one assist in a four-set win against Southern Utah.
TOP FIVE STATS
Among Mountain West foes, here's where the Rebels sit:
Team
-Service Aces Per Set: 1st (1.97)
-Kills Per Set: 2nd (13.06)
-Hitting Percentage: 3rd (.230)
-Assists Per Set: 4th (11.91)
-Blocks Per Set: 5th (2.23)
Jaida Harris
-Service Aces Per Set : 2nd (0.46)
Rheanna Deen-Jackson
-Blocks Per Set: 4th (1.37)
Scarlet & Gray Leaders
Jaida Harris
Kills (116); Kills Per Set (3.31)
Kaia Thiele
Assists (156); Assists Per Set (5.2)
Caleigh King
Digs (114); Digs Per Set (3.26)
Rheanna Deen-Jackson
Blocks (48.0); Blocks Per Set (1.37)
SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION
>San Jose State: The Highlanders went 2-1 in a trio of matches at the USF Challenge in San Francisco, beating the host Dons twice while falling to CSUN in four sets. Fatimah Hall has been a key playmaker at setter, regularly putting up double-doubles (assists + digs), including one with 24 assists and 15 digs in a win over San Francisco. On the attacking end, Morgan Graves posted a double-double in that same match with 13 kills and 14 digs, hitting .357 overall. Lolo Fonua also stepped up with 14 kills in the match against the Dons, while Ava Hewitt-Smith chipped in with 12 kills and hit over .300. Lolo Fonua leads the team with 2.68 kills per set along with 110 total kills, while Graves has 109 kills this season. Ava Hewitt is averaging 0.93 blocks per set with 39 total blocks (26 block assists, 12 solo blocks) and both Hall and Nazare Judd have captured 100 digs apiece.
>Fresno State: The Bulldogs posted a 1-2 ledger in the Central Cal Challenge with their lone win coming against CSU Bakersfield via a sweep. In that match, Fresno State hit .356 as a team, led by Addison Haluska's 11 kills and six blocks. Alivia Schneider added nine kills and two aces, while Jenna Legault posted nine kills of her own. Gabby Lombardi dished out 27 assists and picked up a team-high 12 digs for a double-double. Haluska leads the team in scoring with 176 points and has 153 kills with a .242 clip. Defensively, the Bulldogs average 13.11 digs per set and 1.80 blocks per set.
2025 SCHEDULE
The UNLV volleyball program will play a total of 28 regular-season matches during the 2025 campaign, with 14 of those taking place inside the friendly confines of the Cox Pavilion. The fall slate, the third under head coach Malia Shoji, will feature 18 contests against Mountain West foes as well as 10 more versus nonconference competition.
PURCHASE TICKETS
Tickets for the 2025 volleyball season are on sale now and can be purchased online at UNLVTickets.com. Fans can also get their tickets in person at the Thomas & Mack Center Box Office or by calling 702-739-FANS (3267). Season tickets are only $50 for adults, seniors (62+), faculty and staff are $40 for seniors (62+). Kids 12 and under & Nevada School Aged Students with their valid School I.D. are free and must claim a free ticket upon entry. All seating is general admission. All tickets will be delivered as mobile.
