May 14, 2001

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - The UNLV Softball team earned three selections to the 2001 MWC All-Conference team, the conference announced Friday.

Senior shortstop Racheal Goodpaster, (Fair Oaks, Calif.) batted a team-high .349 this year and belted nine home runs. She also led the team in doubles with 13 and tied for the team lead in hits with 53. This is her third all-conference selection in her career. She earned first team all-conference honors in both 1999 and 2000.

Senior third base Linda Garza (Fresno, Calif.) earned her first all-conference selection this season. Garza was the only Rebel to start and play in every game this season (56). She also led the team in triples (2) and RBI (35). Garza hit a career-best four home runs this season including game-winners against St. Mary's and Colorado State.

Junior catcher, Samantha Kimura (Placentia, Calif.) earned her first all-conference selection after transferring to UNLV from Ohio State. Kimura batted .306 this season and tied a team-high for hits with 53. Defensively, she was 49-71 in throwing runners out. Kimura led the conference in runners caught-stealing with 23.

2001 MWC All-Conference Team

Name Team Position
Kristin Arbogast Utah P
Liz Boydston BYU 3B
Sandra Durazo San Diego State P
Linda Garza UNLV 3B
Kelly Glass New Mexico OF
Racheal Goodpaster UNLV SS
Niki Hayhurst Utah 1B
Sarah Hershman San Diego State 2B
Lindsey Hodgen-Kelly BYU OF
Amberly Jeppson Utah OF
Oli Keohohou BYU OF
Kyla Kiester Colorado State P
Samantha Kimura UNLV C
Holly Schmillen Colorado State SS
Molly McLean Utah OF
Kathy Moore New Mexico P/1B
Kellie Nordhagen San Diego State OF
Hayley Punter New Mexico P
Melissa Stahnke Utah SS
Lyndsey Trevis Utah 3B