BOISE, Idaho (UNLVRebels.com) - UNLV volleyball battled Idaho State point for point in a back-and-forth opening set and fought through a marathon third, but the Rebels ultimately fell to the Bengals, 28-30, 21-25, 31-29, 21-25, Thursday at ExtraMile Arena at the Boise State Classic. The loss dropped UNLV to 0-3 on the season, while Idaho State improved to 3-1.
HOW IT HAPPENED: Basia Latos led the Rebels with career-highs in both kills (21) and digs (16), while Jaida Harris added 12 kills, 12 digs and a trio of assists and a pair of blocks. Jada Ingram chipped in 11 kills while hitting .409 for the match.
UNLV appeared poised to seize control in the opening set, hitting .250 with 21 kills, but Idaho State answered with 17 kills of its own and edged the Rebels in a tight 30-28 finish. The Bengals carried that momentum into the second set, hitting .233 while limiting UNLV to a .175 hitting percentage. Idaho State closed out the set 25-21 to take a 2-0 lead. The Scarlet & Gray responded with its best offensive performance of the afternoon in the third set. The Rebels hit .358, recording 21 kills against just two errors, and survived another extended battle to win 31-29. The victory kept UNLV alive and sent the match to a fourth set. Idaho State, however, answered in the decisive frame. The Bengals held UNLV to a .079 hitting percentage and closed out the match with a 25-21 victory.
Despite the loss, UNLV finished with statistical advantages in several categories. The Rebels recorded 65 kills to Idaho State's 63, while both teams finished with seven service aces. UNLV also held a 16-10 edge in blocks and a 61-58 advantage in assists. Idaho State led in digs, 83-78.
Latos' 21 kills marked a match-high for the Rebels, while Arrie Brown contributed five service aces and 16 digs. Additionally, Rheanna Deen-Jackson led UNLV with five blocks. The setter duo of Kaia Thiele and Kamryn Scroggins added 21 and 20 assists, respectively. For Idaho State, Mia Walsh paced the Bengals with 20 kills, while Nora Waddoups directed the offense with 45 assists and added 18 digs. Waddoups and Aspen Boice each recorded 18 digs.
UP NEXT: The Rebels will face the host Broncos on Friday, September 4 at 5 pm PT, followed by North Dakota State on Saturday, September 5 at 10 am PT in the Boise State Classic.
