Oct. 15, 2005

Box Score

Reno, Nev. - Despite losing two-time All-Western Athletic Conference selection Salaia Salave`a in game two the University of Nevada(12-6, 7-1 WAC) defeated Utah State(13-8, 5-2 WAC) 3-1 in a WAC match on Saturday night at the Virginia Street Gym in Reno, Nev. The Wolf Pack won by scores of 30-22, 24-30, 30-26, and 30-26 to hold onto sole possession of second place in the conference with a 7-1 record while the Aggies fell to 5-2 in league play leaving them third. Winners of 11 of their last 12 matches the Pack are 12-6 on the season and USU dropped to 13-8.

Nevada dominated game one early building a five-point lead at 15-10 on the way to the 30-22 victory. Salave`a's fourth kill of the game was the final point in the first game. The Pack did not hit well in game one at .154 but defensively held the Aggies to a negative .051 attack percentage.

Game two was when Salave`a twisted her ankle and she did not return. USU took advantage of her loss and won the game 30-24 to even the match at one game apiece. The Aggies hit .250 in game two while Nevada's attack percentage improved to .194 in the game two loss.

The Nevada coaches made some adjustments in the locker room to account for the loss of Salave`a and it worked as the team took game three 30-26. The game was tied 12 times and there were eight lead changes before the Pack prevailed to take a two games to one advantage. The last tie occurred at 23-23 but a 4-0 run was all Nevada needed to take control of the game as senior Lindsay Holda served all four points of the run. The Wolf Pack had there best hitting game of the night at .364 while USU hit .205.

Looking to end the match in four games Nevada trailed 16-13 but scored six unanswered points to go in front to stay. Junior Carly Sorensen served five of the six points in the run. Sophomore Teal Ericson ended the match with her career high 24th kill of the night off a set from freshman Erika Ryan. The Pack again hit well in the final game at .354 and the Aggies had their best attack percentage of the night at .279.

Ericson's career and match high 24 kills led the Pack and she also hit .388 on the night. Sorensen had 17 kills and junior Brianne Davis filling in for the injured Salave`a posted a career high 11 kills and hit .333. Setter Ashley Miller's match high 64 assists, established a new career high. Libero Christine Harms posted a match high 21 digs.

Three Aggies reached double figures in kills led by Beth Hodge's 18. Zuzana Cernianska, and Ingrid Roth finished with 16, and 10 kills respectively. Setter Dominque Arsenault had 35 assists in the match. Kelsi Peterson, and Victoria Zimmerman topped USU with 12, and 11 digs respectively.

The Pack out hit the Aggies .278 to 176. The blocking battle was close with Nevada holding 15 to 14.5 advantage. Karly Sipherd finished the night with a career high nine blocks, one solo and eight assisted.

The Pack step out of conference play on Monday to take on UNLV at 7:00 p.m. at the Virginia Street Gym.