Rebels sweep New Mexico State, win home volleyball tournament

UNLV middle blocker Bree Hammel, shown last season, was voted MVP of the UNLV Invitational on Saturday after leading the Rebels to three wins in the tournament. (Aaron Mayes/UNLV Photo Services)

Bree Hammel had 14 kills to power UNLV to a 3-0 volleyball victory over New Mexico State on Saturday and a 3-0 record in the UNLV Invitational at Cox Pavilion.

The Rebels, who won by scores of 25-21, 25-17 and 25-21 over the Western Athletic Conference’s preseason favorite and reigning champion, are 3-0 for the sixth time in program history and the second time this century.

Hammel, voted the tournament’s MVP, was joined on the all-tournament team by Alexis Patterson and Elsa Descamps. Patterson had 28 assists and seven digs against the Aggies (1-2).