Photo by Isaac Hoops. Nevada’s first game of the tournament against the Sacramento State Hornets

Nevada women’s volleyball won both of their games at the Nevada Classic Tournament at home. 

Last week, Nevada lost all three of their matches in the Cal Tournament—not a single set was won in any of the games. The Wolf Pack redeemed themselves this weekend winning both of their games 3-1.

Nevada went up against the Sacramento State Hornets first on Sept. 16. 

The first set had an even start until freshman setter Sophie Mangold was subbed in for red-shirt junior Savanna Maker for Nevada. Mangold had a four-streak service run. The Hornets subbed in sophomore outside hitter Caitlin Volkmann who made three attack errors as soon as she came into the game. Many of Nevada’s points came from errors by Sacramento which led them to win the first set 25-19. 

The Hornets came to battle during the second set. Freshman outside hitter Ellie Tisko pulled through serving four points at the end of the set. This comeback from 21-22 to 25-23 led the Hornets to win the set. 

In the third set, Nevada took back the lead. Many service errors were made by Sacramento, with six total in the set. Junior setter McKenna Smith contributed to two of the service errors. These easy points for Nevada added up, and they won 25-16.

Nevada was powerful in the beginning of the final set. With a lead of 5-0, Nevada was able to keep a comfortable five point lead until the end of the game. Senior defensive specialist Michelle Taynton served four times for the Hornets which got them close to Nevada, 22-24. Sophomore outside hitter Reka Monteleone finished the set with a kill from junior setter Andrea Alcaraz.

Nevada led in everything but aces. The Hornets had four aces compared to the Wolf Pack’s three. 

On day two of the tournament, Nevada had no scheduled games. They arrived on day three to play against the 1-8 California State University Northridge.

CSUN had a small lead in the first set, but Nevada ended it as soon as senior defensive specialist Makayla Bradford made a service error. Alcaraz started Nevada’s comeback with an ace and three more service points. Multiple attack errors at the end of the set by CSUN secured Nevada’s win 25-19.

Nevada’s powerful start held CSUN only scoring two points to Nevada’s 10. Kills by senior outside hitter Nicole Nevarez and red-shirt freshman middle blocker Taylor Hunter gained CSUN a few more points early on in the set. Nevada freshman outside hitter Sia Liilii and senior right side hitter Kyla Waiters contributed a total of three kills to end the set 25-19. 

A very close third set had Nevada battling hard to win in three. Unfortunately, CSUN gained the lead after a 17-17 tie. Freshman setter Madison Klungel served four times and two kills by sophomore outside hitter Taylor Orshoff gave CSUN the win at 25-18. 

The teams were going back and forth scoring in the fourth set and tied it at 13-13. CSUN took their lead at this point, but Nevada caught up and tied it again at 23-23. With only two more points needed to win, Nevada senior libero Kaila Spevak served an ace, Liilii got a kill and so did junior middle blocker Sydney Petersen. Nevada won the set 25-23.

Nevada had an outstanding nine aces, four coming from Spevak. CSUN had only a small lead in points, kills, assists and digs. 

Nevada finished 3-8 in non conference play. The first conference game will be Sept. 23 against San Diego State at home. 

Kelsey Middleton can be reached at kelseymiddleton@sagebrush.unr.edu or on Twitter @kelsmiddleunr