Boise State Edges UNLV in Four

Saturday, October 21

Boise, Idaho

Noon MT

Boise State

11-9,7-3Mountain West

UNLV

12-10,4-6Mountain West

UNLV

Boise St.

10/21/2023 5:08:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

By: Courtesy: Boise State Athletics

BOISE, Idaho – Boise State volleyball battled past UNLV in four sets in one of the most competitive matches of the season in Bronco Gym. All four sets were tight and decided by two points each as the Broncos held on for a big Mountain West victory 25-23, 23-25, 27-25, 25-23 over the co-preseason favorites to improve to 11-9 overall and 7-3 in league play, tied for second place.

Boise State turned in its best-hitting performance in conference play, finishing at .300 percent compared to UNLV's .297 in a match with 19 ties and six lead changes.

Set one saw the Broncos lead nearly the entire way until the Rebels rallied to take a 22-21 and then a 23-22 advantage late in the set. A 3-0 Boise State run closed it out with the set clincher coming from Chey Day on a smash down the center to hand the set, 25-23, to the Broncos.

UNLV ran out to an early lead in the second frame and never relinquished it. But the Broncos kept it close and battled to the end as they rallied from seven down to close within one at 24-23 before the Rebels held off the Blue and Orange for the 25-23 win.

Like set one, Boise State led nearly the entire way after overcoming a 1-0 deficit. Boise State led by as many as six points midway, only to see UNLV rally back to take the lead at 23-22. Down 24-23, Boise State fought off two Rebel set points before rallying with a 3-0 run to take it 27-25, capped by block assists from Annie Kaminski and Noelani Helm to clinch it.

The fourth featured six ties and one lead change. Down 5-3, the Broncos used a 10-3 run to take the lead for good from the Rebels up 13-8. Boise State led by six only to see UNLV rally back to tie the set at 23. Day and Paige Bartsch closed it out with back-to-back kills to clinch the fourth set 25-23 and the contest 3-1.

Quotables

"I thought it was a great battle, highly contested from start to finish," said head coach Shawn Garus. "Both teams had chances to win each of the four sets. That may be the first match we've played this year that two points decided all four sets. I loved seeing other people step up and make plays in the clutch.
"Annie (Kaminski) did a great job tonight," Garus said. "She just looks really dialed in right now. She is really focused right now. If she has a bad match, she owns it and comes back with more aggression the next time."
"Annie and Chey (Day) had difference-maker matches tonight," said Garus. "They were available and wanted the ball in clutch moments today. I give credit to Noelani (Helm) for making the brave sets in tough situations to stress the UNLV side; they (UNLV) clearly didn't want to see the ball set to the middle."
"I think it was a great match," said Annie Kaminski. "Everyone stepped up to the plate and was super consistent all around. I can only do what I do with Noelani (Helm) getting me the ball; she had a great match today."

Top Broncos

Annie Kaminski recorded a team and career-high 17 kills while hitting .762 with three block assists and a season-high 18.5 points.
Anabel Kotzakov tallied 12 kills and tied her career-high for service aces with three to go with two block assists and 16 points.
Chey Day tied her career-high for kills with 12 while hitting .320 percent, with four blocks -- one solo -- and 14.5 points.
Noelani Helm led from the setter position with a double-double -- her ninth of the season -- on 41 assists and 14 digs to go with nine kills, one service ace, two blocks and 11 points; she hit a season-high .444 (minimum 10 attacks).
Breanna Mitchell finished with a team-high 19 digs and tied Kotzakov for the team-high in service aces with three.

Notables

Kaminski's .762 hitting percentage ranks ninth all-time in program history and fourth during the rally-scoring era for a four-set match.
Helm hit a season-high
Helm recorded her ninth double-double of the year, a team-best.
Boise State recorded 10 service aces in the match, marking the seventh time the Broncos have recorded double-figure aces in a contest.
The Broncos played in front of 1,057 fans, marking the ninth time this season that Bronco Gym has seen 1,000 or more spectators for a match.
Mitchell's 19 digs give her six contests with 19 or more this year.