September 2, 2007
The UNLV Rebels and Loyola Marymount Lions rolled into the finale of the Four Points Sheraton LAX Classic with identical 2-0 records in the tournament.  Fortunately, the Rebels walked away with the 3-1 win and their second tournament championship in as many weekends.  UNLV (5-1) won the match over LMU (3-3) by scores of 32-30, 34-32, 16-30, 30-28.

Three Rebels were named to the all-tournament team.  Jessica Walters and Lauren Miramontes were selected to the squad, while Melody Nua took home tournament MVP honors for the second-straight weekend.

As for the match, UNLV’s win was opposite of the statistical norm.  UNLV was out-hit in every game, but managed the victory in its first, true road match of the season.  The Lions hit no worse than .237 in their four games, while tallying three games over the .322 mark.  UNLV’s highest hitting percentage was .291 in the fourth and final frame.

UNLV needed extra time to get past LMU in the first two games, as the Rebels won 32-30 and 34-32.  But just like in the Rebels earlier match of the day against Northwestern, UNLV came out flat after the intermission and allowed LMU to post its only win in the match.  The Rebels recovered to win a tightly played fourth frame to win by two, 30-28.

Melody Nua and Maria Aladjova led the Rebels offensively with double-doubles.  Nua posted 48 assists and 15 digs.  Aladjova nailed down 15 kills and dug out 17 Lion attacks. 

Lauren Miramontes led the team in kills with 22.  Defensively, Miramontes had three solo blocks and three digs.

Jada Walker had a match-high 29 digs and even assisted on three kills.

LMU’s Heather Hughes registered a triple-double against the Rebels as she combined 31 kills, 10 assists and 15 digs together for the feat.  Hughes only committed four errors in 73 attempts and managed to hit for a .370 average. 

Besides Hughes triple-double, Emily Day (20 kills, 17 digs), Christianna Reneau (12 kills, 27 digs) and Renee Horton (10 kills, 59 assists) all amassed their own double-doubles. 

Next up for UNLV is a trip to Reno, Nev.  The Rebels will take part in the AT&T Invitational hosted by Nevada, Reno.  Joining the host Wolf Pack and Rebels are the Washington State and Hofstra.  The Rebels square off against UNR on Sept. 7, at 7:00 pm.

Four Point Sheraton LAX Classic All-Tournament Team
MVP – Melody Nua, UNLV
Lauren Miramontes, UNLV
Jada Walker, UNLV
Renee Horton, Loyola Marymount
Heather Hughes, Loyola Marymount
Courtnie Paulus, Northwestern
Lauren McLaughlin, UC Santa Barbara