Oct. 3, 2005

LAS VEGAS - After going 2-0 on last weekend's road swing against New Mexico and Air Force, UNLV was rewarded with its first Mountain West Conference Player of the Week honor of the season. Middle blocker Lauren Miramontes, a 6'3" sophomore from Upland, Calif., was recognized for compiling an average of 4.00 kills per game and a .438 hitting percentage.

On the weekend Miramontes tallied 36 kills and eight errors in 64 total attempts. She hit a season-high .444 against New Mexico as she nailed 15 kills. She dropped in three service aces for points and picked up a dig, an assist and a block in the 3-2 win. Against Air Force, she hit a match-high 21 kills in the Rebels 3-1 victory. She hit for a .432 average against the Falcons, while tallying six blocks (one solo), one ace, and a dig.

On the season, Miramontes is one of five Rebels to have played in all 15 matches and all 59 games. She sits in second-place on the team charts in kills (191) and kills per game (3.24). She tops the squad with 43 blocks (seven solo, 36 assisted). Her .231 hitting percentage comes in third amongst players with 100+ kills.

Miramontes becomes UNLV's fourth student-athlete to win the weekly honor. She joins a distinguished list of Rebels: Angie Sylvas (Nov. 23, 1999); Blair Wilkes (Dec. 2, 2002) and Nicki King (Oct. 25, 2004).

Currently, UNLV holds a 7-8 overall record and a conference mark of 3-1. The 3-1 conference record is the best four-match start to a MWC regular season since the league began play in 1999. UNLV has won four of its last five and are riding a two-match winning streak.