March 30, 2001

LAS VEGAS - The UNLV softball team will face San Diego State at the Rebel Diamond on Saturday in its 2001 MWC opener. The game time for the double header is scheduled at 12:00.

The Rebels split a pair of games with Southern Utah on Tuesday in Cedar City. UNLV won game one 6-2 and dropped game two in the bottom of the seventh inning, 2-1. At 17-15, the Rebels look to make some noise in the MWC this year. With just two more victories, the Rebels can equal their win total from a year ago.

"We had a much improved initial part of the season this year and look forward to starting the conference season," said head coach Shan McDonald.

One of the areas that is much this season according to McDonald is the pitching. With three capable starters, the Rebels have some options in the starting rotation. Junior Nicole Truax is off to her best start in her career with a 7-2 record and a 3.03 ERA.

The Rebels have seen some of the nation's elite during the early part of the season. UNLV faced eight of this week's NFCA Top 25 and five of the Top 10.

San Diego State enters conference play with a 21-13 record and won four out of five meetings with the Rebels last season. UNLV recorded a 14-3 victory over the Aztecs in the MWC Tournament last season.