Rebels Volleyball get first victory

Tim Graham

Monday, Sept. 9, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

As a toddler of the volleyball world, it was a given UNLV would stumble more often than stride. Sunday, however, the first-year program took its biggest step yet.

UNLV recorded its first victory since the program was discontinued in 1985 by dismantling Georgia State 15-7, 15-7, 15-8 in just over an hour at the South Gym.

"It's so relieving," first-year head coach Deitre Collins said. "It's disconcerting to start off 0-3 and not really know how the season is going to go. Getting that first one helps the players find out what it feels like to win and what it takes to win."

The Rebels raised their record to 1-3 on the season, while the Panthers fell to 1-2 with their second straight loss. They also were beaten by Cal State Fullerton in the South Gym Saturday, a scene the Rebels experienced Thursday.

But Sunday, it was apparent from the start UNLV was the better team. Whether it was offense or defense, the Rebels were in control.

"I guess we did dominate the game," Collins said. "We dominated and we played with discipline."

Freshman Kim DeWitt led the attack with a match-high nine kills, while classmate Christel Eves of Basic High had eight. Elizabeth Goyet, another freshman, notched seven kills. Pahrump Valley's Amy Ellenwood, a junior walk-on, added six more.

Sophomore captain Meri-de Boyer recorded all but three Rebel assists with 27. As a team, the Panthers had 14.

"It was a team effort," Collins said. "I don't even know who the standout was in this game. I had an opportunity to play everybody and that's good for the program. When everybody gets a chance to see the floor, then they're prepared the next time."

Collins wouldn't term the victory a milestone, but called it "a stepping stone."

"I probably didn't let them get too over-excited about our first win," she said of the Rebels' mood in the locker room. "We played well, but we gotta continue to get better. I want them to understand where we are and how much work we have to do. The season only gets tougher."

The Rebels play their next three matches on the road in a Texas Tech tournament. There they will play the Red Raiders, who received votes for the latest USA Today-American Volleyball Coaches' Association Top 25 poll, as well as Virginia and North Texas.

The Rebels play their next home matches Sept. 20 and 21 against Nevada-Reno and San Francisco, respectively.

"We don't want to stop at one win," Collins said. "I guess I should be ecstatic with my first win as a head coach, but I'm not satisfied."