News Summary
The UNLV volleyball team delivered an impressive performance against Southern Utah, winning the match in four sets during the Dig In The Desert tournament. Jaida Harris led the Rebels with 22 kills, while the team demonstrated strong offensive capabilities. Although Southern Utah showed resilience defensively, UNLV ultimately secured a vital victory, improving their season record in the process. Key players contributed significantly, and Harris was selected for the All-Tournament team for her standout performance.
Las Vegas, NV – The UNLV volleyball team secured a decisive four-set victory over Southern Utah on September 20, 2025, improving their record to 6-4 while Southern Utah now stands at 1-10. The match was part of the Dig In The Desert tournament and took place at The Pavilion with set scores of 25-10, 32-30, 18-25, and 25-21 in favor of the Rebels.
During the match, UNLV showcased a strong offensive performance, outhitting their opponents with a hitting percentage of .243 compared to Southern Utah’s .108. Despite UNLV’s offensive dominance, Southern Utah excelled defensively, leading in digs with 55 to UNLV’s 54. UNLV managed to achieve a considerable advantage in service aces, notching 9 while Southern Utah recorded 7.
When it came to assists, UNLV again led the way with 51 assists, substantially outperforming Southern Utah’s 36. However, the Thunderbirds were impressive at the net, achieving 22 blocks compared to UNLV’s 17. The Rebels had an outstanding opening set with a hitting percentage of .737, while Southern Utah struggled, posting a hitting percentage of -.150 in the same set. Although UNLV’s hitting percentage dipped to .053 in the third set, they recovered well with .235 in the fourth set.
Leading the scoring for UNLV was Jaida Harris, who notched 22 kills, six digs, two block assists, and one assist with a hitting percentage of .404. Outfitting her performance were Alondra Alarcon, who recorded 14 kills and 14 digs, and Basia Latos, contributing 8 kills and four digs. Kaia Thiele also made her mark with 19 assists and seven digs, alongside two service aces.
In addition, Alexa Ankerstar contributed 12 assists, while libero Caleigh King had nine digs and a season-high of 11 assists. Sophomore middle blocker Rheanna Deen-Jackson recorded five blocks, four of which were block assists, as well as four service aces and two assists.
Harris’s outstanding performance led to her selection for the Dig In The Desert All-Tournament team after averaging 4.5 kills per set throughout the tournament, totaling 36 kills with a hitting percentage of .290 alongside 22 digs. The three-player All-Tournament Team also included Jessica Dean from UC Riverside and Kaitlyn Hoelker from Southern Utah. This year’s tournament MVP was awarded to Sophia Ewalefo of UC Riverside.
In the final standings of the tournament, UC Riverside claimed the top spot with a 2-0 record, while UNLV placed second at 1-1, and Southern Utah finished last with 0-2.
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Additional Resources
- UNLV Volleyball: Rebels Bounce Back with Win Against Southern Utah
- Wikipedia: Volleyball
- UNLV Rebels: Tee Off in the Tindall
- Google Search: UNLV Golf
- UNLV Volleyball: Rebels Fall in Four Sets to UC Riverside
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Volleyball
- UNLV Football: Undefeated Rebels Win Wild One Over Warhawks
- Google News: UNLV Football
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LAS VEGAS STAFF WRITER The LAS VEGAS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELasVegas.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Las Vegas, Clark County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Electric Daisy Carnival, World Series of Poker, and Consumer Electronics Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce and Three Square Food Bank, plus leading businesses in hospitality and entertainment that power the local economy such as MGM Resorts International, Caesars Entertainment, and Las Vegas Sands. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Nevada's dynamic landscape.
