May 11, 2004

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - UNLV senior outfielder Lisa Sampson has been named the Mountain West Conference Softball Player of the Week, the league announced Tuesday.

Sampson, of Fairfield, Calif., led the Rebels to three victories in four starts in centerfield last week. She went 7-for-9 at the plate for an amazing .778 average and extended her hitting streak to six games, matching a career high.

In two games against Utah, Sampson was never put out, going 4-for-4 at the plate with four walks. Three of those hits were doubles, and one scored three runs to ignite a five-run rally for the Rebels in the bottom of the seventh and lead to a comeback win.

Sampson earned the award for the first time in her career, and did so in the last week in which she was eligible. She became the third Rebel this season so honored. Jacqueline Kerrigan earned Pitcher of the Week honors on Feb. 10, and Bridget Byrne was the March 16 Player of the Week.

With the regular season completed, the Rebels head this week to Fort Collins, Colo., to compete in the MWC Tournament. The winner of the tournament will receive an automatic bid to the NCAA Regionals.