EL PASO, Texas – The UTEP volleyball team (24-7) will host UNLV (26-9) in the National Invitational Volleyball Championship Semifinals at Memorial Gym on Thursday (Dec. 9) at 7 p.m. MT. Fans can visit www.UTEPMiners.com/Tickets to purchase tickets.
 
Hitting with Consistency
UTEP has hit .300 or better 13 times total on the season, including five matches higher than .350. The opposition has only topped .300 three times in 31 contests on the campaign. Five Miners are swinging better than .250 on the year. Vittoria Price (.444) continues to lead the team among players with at least 100 kills.
 
Block Party
The Miners registered a season-high 15 blocks in the 3-2 reverse-sweep win over FIU on Nov. 19. UTEP has posted at least 10 blocks in 13 matches this season. Vittoria Price (102), Alianza Darley (100) and Kenidy Howard (99) each have tallied at least 90 total blocks to lead the charge.
 
Miner Rankings
The Miners are in the top 50 in eight categories in the NCAA and are setting historic program numbers. The campaign is No. 15 in the country in offense and is the last standing Conference USA team in postseason play.
 
Top Categories
8. Team Kills (1,693)                                   1^st C-USA
9. Team Service Aces (218)                      1^st C-USA
13. Team Assists (1,530)                           1^st C-USA
15. Hitting Percentage (0.275)                  3^rd C-USA
26. Aces per Set (1.77)                               1^st C-USA
26. Team Total Blocks (283)                     1^st C-USA
31. Match W-L Percentage (0.774)          2^nd C-USA
32. Kills per Set (13.76)                              3^rd C-USA
 
Alyssa Sianez is ranked within the top 100 in the nation coming in at 63rd in total digs (493), and ranks first in C-USA.
 
Scouting UNLV
UNLV is 26-9 (12-6 Mountain West) on the year. The Rebels swept Arkansas in the NIVC Quarterfinals.
 
The program is led offensively by Mariena Hayden with 487 kills and Arien Fafard with 675 assists. On the defense, Shelby Capllonch paces the squad with 392 digs while Jordyn Freeman leads the team in blocks (150, 15 solo/135 assists).
 
The Series vs. UNLV
UTEP leads the all-time series with UNLV, 3-0. The Miners and Rebels have not competed against each other since 1997.
   
Help support UTEP student-athletes by making a gift to the Miner Athletic Club. Visit givingto.utep.edu/mac today!
 
For complete coverage of UTEP Women's Volleyball, be sure to follow the Miners on social media at @utepvb (Instagram) @UTEPVolleyball (Facebook) and @UTEP_VB (Twitter) or visit the official home of UTEP Athletics at UTEPMiners.com.