NORTHRIDGE, Calif. (UNLVRebels.com) - The UNLV volleyball team battled through another five-set thriller Friday night, but the Rebels were unable to close out CSUN in the final moments, falling 3-2 to the Matadors at Premier America Credit Union Arena as part of the Linda Murphy Ridge Invitational.
HOW IT HAPPENED: UNLV dropped the match 22-25, 25-23, 26-24, 14-25, 9-15, falling to 0-6 on the season, while CSUN improved to 2-4. The Rebels once again found themselves in a tightly contested match that came down to the final set, but CSUN's offensive efficiency and advantage at the net ultimately proved decisive. The Matadors finished with 58 kills on 154 attacks and hit .201 as a team, compared with 47 kills on 161 attacks and a .112 hitting percentage for UNLV. CSUN also held advantages in assists (55-45), digs (68-55), blocks (24-15) and service aces, 8-4. The Scarlet & Gray committed 17 service errors compared to the Matadors' 17 service errors. Basia Latos delivered another standout offensive performance for the Rebels, leading the Scarlet & Gray with 17 kills on 46 attacks while hitting .217. Latos also recorded nine digs and finished with a team-high 17.5 points.
Latos' 17 kills marked her second consecutive match leading the Rebels in the category after she recorded 17 kills against North Dakota State on Saturday. Jaida Harris added six kills and five digs, while Jada Ingram and Rheanna Deen-Jackson each contributed five kills. Ingram was particularly effective at the net, recording four blocks, while Deen-Jackson also finished with four blocks. Tia Traudt provided seven kills on 19 attacks while hitting .211, while Logan Lindsay added five kills and three service aces. Lindsay's three aces were a team high and accounted for three of UNLV's four service aces.
The Rebels' offense was directed by Kamryn Scroggins, who finished with 29 assists and 10 digs. Alexa Ankerstar added eight assists, while Caleigh King contributed three assists. King was one of UNLV's most important defensive contributors, finishing with a team-high 16 digs. Despite the statistical advantages for CSUN, UNLV put itself in position to win the match. The Rebels claimed two of the first three sets and took the third set beyond the standard 25-point threshold, but the Matadors responded by controlling the final stages of the match.
The decisive fifth set was ultimately where CSUN created separation. The Matadors hit .588 in the final frame, recording 11 kills against just one error on 17 attacks. UNLV managed seven kills on 21 attacks while hitting .190. That offensive efficiency gave CSUN the edge it needed to finish the match.
UP NEXT: UNLV will resume the Linda Murphy Ridge Invitational against Fresno State on Saturday, September 12 at 1 pm followed by San Francisco on Sunday, September 13 at 11 am.
