LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - The UNLV volleyball team swept Grand Canyon 3-0 at The Pavilion to earn its first victory over the Lopes in program history.
HOW IT HAPPENED: The Rebels (6-10, 2-3 MW) claimed the Mountain West win by scores of 25-20, 25-18 and 25-23. The victory marked a breakthrough against Grand Canyon (7-9, 1-4 MW), which defeated UNLV in both meetings last season. Senior libero Caleigh King highlighted the night with a milestone performance, recording four service aces to reach 100 for her career, the sixth Rebel to record at least 100 career service aces in program history. King helped fuel a strong serving effort as the Rebels finished with seven aces, compared with two for the Lopes.
UNLV also delivered an efficient offensive performance, hitting .260 as a team with 38 kills and 13 errors on 96 attacks. Grand Canyon finished with 42 kills but committed 22 errors, hitting .194. The Scarlet & Gray capitalized on those mistakes while producing 15 total blocks to limit the Lopes' offensive opportunities. Jaida Harris led UNLV with 10 kills, adding six digs and a service ace. Jada Ingram and Basia Latos contributed six kills apiece, while Ingram hit an impressive .625 with just one error on eight attacks. Rheanna Deen-Jackson also recorded six kills while hitting .333, helping provide a balanced attack across the front row.
The Rebels' defensive effort at the net proved particularly important, as Ingram and Deen-Jackson each finished with four total blocks. Latos added three block assists, giving UNLV multiple contributors in disrupting Grand Canyon's attack. Kamryn Scroggins guided the offense with 14 assists and added seven digs. King contributed three assists alongside her four aces, while Harris recorded six digs to help UNLV maintain its defensive pressure.
Grand Canyon received 10 kills apiece from Katie Schulz and Bella Nunez, while Aubrey Bellus added eight kills and hit .545. Taylor Kubacak led the Lopes with 22 assists. After taking control in the opening two sets, the Rebels faced their closest challenge in the third, when Grand Canyon recorded 16 kills. UNLV responded with 12 kills of its own and continued to apply pressure defensively to close out the 25-23 decision and complete the sweep.
UP NEXT: The Rebels will look to carry that momentum into Saturday's rematch with Grand Canyon in Phoenix at 4 pm.
