UNLV Drops CSUN in Three Sets, 25-19, 25-23, 25-20

NORTHRIDGE, CA - Sophomore Aeryn Owens pounded a match-high 17 kills but the UNLV Rebels knocked off the CSUN Matadors for the second time this season Saturday in Provo, Utah.

UNLV remained unbeaten this season at 11-0 after posting the 25-19, 25-23, 25-20 victory. The Matadors, who lost to the Rebels in Las Vegas earlier in the month, slip to 3-8 with one non-conference match remaining.

Owens connected for 17 kills while hitting .222 on 45 swings. It marked the best offensive output for the sophomore outside hitter since pounding a career-high 23 against Pepperdine on Aug. 27. Senior Julie Haake added eight kills (.111), five digs and two blocks while redshirt freshman Melissa Eaglin chipped in four kills, four digs and three blocks.

CSUN had 16 team kills while hitting .174 in the final set but overall wound up hitting .097 (35-24-113) for the match.

Kamalu Makekau-Whittaker made her collegiate debut as the freshman came on for Lauren Conati at setter and registered 23 assists, four digs and one kill. Katie Sato and Erin Indermill each had 14 digs as the Matadors out-dug UNLV 57-47.

The Rebels, who hit just .140 as a team, had seven aces to CSUN's one and out-blocked the Matadors 10.0-8.0.

As has been the case in recent matches, CSUN held a lead at the midpoint or later in several sets before surrendering a sizable run. Trailing the Matadors 12-8 in the opening set, UNLV used an 8-1 run to pull away 19-13 and eventually winning the frame 25-19.

In the second set, a kill by Owens gave CSUN an early 8-2 lead. The Matadors still led by five at 15-10 when the Rebels rallied to take 10 of the next 11 points which opened up a 20-16 lead. A pair of Haake kills saved a pair of set points before the Rebels closed out the 25-23 win.

In the final set, Morgan Salone's kill pulled the Matadors within 14-13 before UNLV would outscore CSUN 9-6 down the stretch and take the set by the score of 25-20.

CSUN will look to snap a six-match skid this afternoon at 4 pm as the Matadors travel to Orem, Utah to take on Utah Valley.

#GoMatadors

UNLV Drops CSUN in Three Sets, 25-19, 25-23, 25-20

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Team Stats

Aeryn Owens

Julie Haake

Melissa Eaglin

Nada Dragovic

Players Mentioned

Lauren Conati

Melissa Eaglin

Julie Haake

Erin Indermill

Kamalu Makekau-Whittaker

Aeryn Owens

Morgan Salone

Katie Sato