Rebels coach Cindy Fredrick claims one of her program’s trademarks is being strong up the middle. That boast certainly holds up this year.
Middle blockers Ashley Owens and Elsa Descamps both ranked in the top seven of the Mountain West in blocks per set, and played a key role in UNLV (23-7) earning the first at-large NCAA Tournament bid in school history.
The Rebels play Utah (20-11), ranked No. 22 in the latest coaches’ poll, in the first round at 4 p.m. on Friday in Provo, Utah. The team’s top two blockers will face the tough task of trying to slow down Utes’ star outside hitter Adora Anae, but so far this season both have been willing to adapt and grow.