Aug. 31, 2001

Stats

NEW ORLEANS, La. - Stevie Nicholas tallied match highs with 17 kills and 12 digs, and Sunny Nicholas added 10 kills as Baylor downed Nevada-Las Vegas 30-24, 30-23, 30-16 here Friday evening in women's volleyball action at the NOKIA Sugar Bowl Classic hosted by Tulane University.

It was the first match of the season for Baylor, which has now won six consecutive season-openers. UNLV falls to 0-1.

Stevie Nicholas gathered nine of her kills during the third game, in which she did not commit an attacking error. She finished the match with an attacking percentage of .344. Laura Daniela Lloreda and Tatiana Kenon added eight kills each, Lloreda also had 11 digs. Dana Chuha had four kills and a match-high 40 assists, while Tisha Schwartz chipped in with six kills and a pair of blocks.

As a team, Baylor hit .264 for the match and held UNLV to a .141 clip. The Bears, who never trailed and reached 20 first in all three games, racked up 13 service aces, while the Rebels managed just four. Stevie Nicholas and Lloreda led all players with five each. Baylor also out-dug UNLV 50-36.

UNLV was led by Leiana Oswald, who put down 10 kills with only one error but in 29 swings. Shannon Chase came off the bench to lead the Rebels with nine digs.

The Bears will return to action here Saturday, facing Louisiana State at 12:30 p.m. and host Tulane at 8 p.m.