Nevada volleyball beats No. 22 New Mexico State

RENO - The University of Nevada volleyball team made a strong statement to the Western Athletic Conference - never mess with a wolf in its own den.

Nevada saw a two-game lead vanish but came back in the fifth game to snap No. 22 New Mexico State's 17-game winning streak Saturday night before 696 fans at the Virginia Street Gym. The Wolf Pack (9-6, 3-0) beat the Aggies (17-1, 3-1) 30-28, 30-28, 19-30, 28-30 and 15-12.

"Having everyone stand up and being into it, it's huge," said Karly Sipherd, who finished with 14 kills and seven block assists. "Our momentum got a big boost from that and we love our fans. We showed them that we're a great team."

Teal Ericson led Nevada in kills with 15 and setter Tristin Johnson recorded a double-double with 51 assists and 11 digs. Jorgan Staker powered 11 kills and Lauren Kelly and Randi Salis each had 12 digs.

"We really like to beat them. It's a confidence booster for our team," Johnson said. "The crowd was wonderful. It makes a huge difference."

With Nevada ahead 14-12 in the final game, Nevada coach Devin Scruggs had a feeling about a possible serving error coming from New Mexico State. Both teams struggled with serving as the Aggies committed 12 errors and the Wolf Pack had 11.

"I think we all anticipated that might happen," Scruggs said about the ball possibly sailing out. "I was actually on the back line telling our bench to help call the ball because we knew she (Alice Borden) had a tough serve. She was serving very tough and had a high floater with the potential of going out."

Nevada's back line listened to its bench and watched Borden's serve barely land behind the baseline. Despite leading both teams with 19 kills, Borden committed six service errors.

"We were talking on the bench to help the back row make the call in case it was close. We all screamed out," Scruggs said.

The win kept Nevada tied for first in the WAC with Hawai'i and it also proved that the Wolf Pack deserved to advance to last year's NCAA Tournament.

Only three teams advanced to the tournament including WAC champion Hawai'i, runner-up Utah State and Nevada. Despite having a solid record, New Mexico State did not merit an invitation and felt it belonged instead of Nevada. Nevada, though, posted a win over a Top 25 team and the Aggies did not.

Saturday's win helped settle some dispute between the Wolf Pack and the Aggies.

"With the history of the two teams, they didn't think we belonged in the NCAAs last year," Scruggs said. "We're really glad we came out and beat them."

Scruggs, though, wants her team to win an invitation to the tournament by claiming the WAC crown.

"It brings us the confidence to play one of the toughest teams in the conference," the 10th-year coach said about the win. "We want to win the WAC tournament. That's how we want to get the NCAA Tournament."

Sipherd's attacks and timely blocking fired up the Wolf Pack and the crowd in the fourth and fifth games.

"I feel like I'm high on volleyball," Sipherd said. "Someone's got to do it and it's OK if it's me. It's OK if it's Teal or anybody. When the ball gets to me I want to do something."

With the focus on controlling Ericson's attacks from the outside, Scruggs said it gave the opportunity for Sipherd and Staker to attack.

"Teal has been so strong on the outside that teams are absolutely going after her and what that's doing is it's opening for other players (to attack)," Scruggs added. "A lot of that is a result of Teal's play throughout the week and the year. Sipherd played the whole game tonight. She had some key blocks."

Nevada hosts Utah State on Wednesday at 7 p.m. before flying to Hawai'i to take on the Rainbow Warriors on Saturday.