Box Score EPHRAIM, Utah (March 18, 2021) -- The third-ranked Snow College women's volleyball team recorded its 16th straight home victory on Thursday, taking down Southern Nevada, 3-0. With the win, the Badgers improve to 18-2 on the year and hold a slim, half-game lead over Utah State Eastern in the conference standings. 

"Southern Nevada is a greatly improved team," Snow College head coach Jeff Reynolds said. "They have caused some problems for some of the top teams in our region with a couple five-set nail bitters. There wasn't anyone in our locker room looking past Southern Nevada tonight; not after what we saw scouting them."

In the first set, the Badgers needed to adjust to a different tempo and style of play, but came out on top, 25-21. In the second set, Snow held CSN to a -.034 hitting percentage due in large part to four, momentum killing blocks and some tough serving from freshman Macy Short. Short, who is the reigning NJCAA National Offensive Player of the Week, produced a match-high three aces on 21 attempts. The Badgers collected seven aces against the Coyotes' four. Snow currently ranks fourth in the nation with a combined total of 155 aces this season, and fifth nationally with an average of 2.12 aces per set. 

"We had a chance to practice the top-spin serve this week because we knew CSN had a couple tough, top-spin servers," Reynolds said. "During those practice sessions, we saw Macy's top-spin serve and thought, 'why not.' Her serves were on-point tonight. She gave us a real momentum boost going from the second set into the third set." 

In the third and final set, Snow took a large, early lead and held on for a 25-19 victory. All totaled, freshman middle blocker KJ Strong led the Badgers with eight kills on 13 attempts with just one error to hit .538 for the match. Sophomore Lydia Montague also chipped in six kills on 12 attempts to hit .417 on the night. Strong also led the Badgers with a team-high three blocks while sophomore Jentry Ison was credited with a match-high 15 digs.

Prior to the game, the team took time out to honor its five sophomores, including Camden Strain, Hannah Edwards, Bridgett Talia, Montague and Ison. 

"I can't say enough about this group of sophomores," Reynolds said. "Together, over the past two seasons, they've won a total of 50 matches. That's pretty remarkable, and it's a testament to their commitment to this program, their work ethic, and their leadership. They happen to be some really good volleyball players as well. I'm grateful we get to have them around for another month or so."

Tonight's game also marked the 150th career game for Reynolds as the head coach at Snow College. The fifth-year head coach has produced a record of 123-27 (.820) during his tenure in Ephraim, including a record of 31-4 (.886) at the friendly confines of the Horne Activity Center. 

The same two teams will battle it out again Friday afternoon in Ephraim. Match time is scheduled for 1 p.m.