Aug. 28, 2003

LAS VEGAS - UNLV opens play for the 2003 season at the LMU Furama Hotel Invitational on Friday night. The tournament opens Friday with a 5 p.m. match-up between Sacramento State and West Virginia in Gersten Pavilion. The 7 p.m. match features the Lions and Rebels.

The Rebels will be led by senior Patricia Assuncao, who recorded 288 kills in 2002 for a season average of 2.69 kills per game. Junior setter Nicki King, the only Rebel to play in every match in 2002, will also return following a 10.68 assist per game average last season.

In addition to the LMU Furama Hotel Invitational, the Lions and Rebels will meet again on Thursday, September 18, in Honolulu, Hawaii.