Nov. 20, 2004

FORT COLLINS, Colo. - UNLV had two players earn postseason recognition Saturday as the Mountain West Conference Tournament came to a close at Moby Arena in Fort Collins, Colo.

Senior setter Nicki King and freshman libero Jada Walker were named to the MWC All-Tournament Team by coaches and select media.

King and Walker played key roles as the Rebels advanced to the semifinals of the tournament for just the second time in school history. UNLV beat Wyoming 3-1 in the opening round of the tournament before falling in heart-breaking fashion to top-seeded Utah 3-2.

King nearly had a triple-double in the five-game thriller against Utah, finishing her fine career with 54 assists, 15 digs and eight kills.

Walker, who was named the top libero of the tournament, dug up 20 balls in the loss to the Utes. She also earned the MWC Sportsmanship Award as well, which was voted on by the league's coaches before the tournament started.

Tournament champion Colorado State had four players on the MWC All-Tournament team, including MVP and top setter Melissa Courtney. She was joined by teammates Dre Downs, Bri Frech and Katie Jo Shirley-Cahoon. Utah, which finished second to the Rams, had Kelsie Kartchner and Shelly Sommerfeldt on the team.