LAS VEGAS, Nevada -Â The UNLV Rebels barely snuck past Utah Valley State in five games, 27-30, 25-30, 30-19, 30-22, 15-10, on Saturday at the Cox Pavilion. The Wolverines won the first two games, but UNLV came storming back to win the next three games and take the match.
"After we took the first two games, UNLV was a lot more aggressive than we were,"Â said head coach Sam Atoa. "They started to make a run and we weren't willing to step up and match their intensity."
Deise Borghetti recorded her fourth double-double of the season with a team-high 19 kills, and 15 digs. Middle blockers Jessica Endres and Stephanie McFarland made UVSC's attack more balanced as they tallied 11 and nine kills, respectively. Endres hit an impressive .474 in the match.
Alina Wallauer added nine kills and 13 digs, just missing her team-high seventh double-double of the year by one kill. Setter Lacee Koelliker notched her fifth double-double with 43 assists and a team-high 18 digs.
The Wolverines came out of the gates strong winning the first two games by scores of 30-27, and 30-25. But UNLV decided to refocus and change the momentum by running away with game three 30-19, and game four 30-22. The final game ended in the Rebel's favor 15-10.
"They just out hit us in the last three games," said Atoa.
UVSC's defense played solid, out-blocking the Rebels 10-9, and forcing UNLV into making 40 attack errors. The difference was UNLV got more chances, attacking the ball 44 more times than the Wolverines. Almost every other category was even across the board.
The Rebels main force was Maria Aladjova, who recorded a match-high 28 kills. Aladjova wasn't alone, as three other UNLV players finished with double figure kills. Mariana Pencheva tallied 16, Michelle Banks had 14, and Brittani Lumsden notched 12. Banks also added 13 digs to give her a double-double on the day. The only other Rebel to record a double-double was the table setter, and UNLV all-time assist leader, Nicki King. King finished with a match-high 67 assists, to go along with her 22 digs.
The Wolverines continue their current nine game road swing with one more away game at Oral Roberts on Wednesday, September 29th before returning home for their second home game this season. First serve against ORU is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. (MST).
