Jan. 30, 2007

LAS VEGAS - The UNLV softball team has been selected to finish second in the Mountain West Conference regular season in a vote by the league's coaches today. The San Diego State Aztecs have been chosen to repeat as regular season champions, after winning the 2005 title.

SDSU garnered five first-place votes for a total of 25 points. UNLV trailed the Aztecs by nine with a 19 point tally. BYU, last year's regular season runner-up, earned one first-place vote and 17 points overall. Utah, the 2006 MWC Tournament Champions, were chosen third with 14 points, while Colorado State (10) and New Mexico (5) rounded out the fifth and sixth positions.

The Rebels look to rebound after an injury-plagued 2006, in which the team went 26-37 overall and 8-12 in league play. UNLV returns 10 letterwinners from the last season's squad, including All-MWC outfielder Brittany Freight and All-MWC Tournament Designated Player Shannon Crisp. Coming back from the injury list will be Marissa Nichols, a 2005 Louisville Slugger/NFCA First Team All-American, Brittany Meade, Jaci Hull and Jenn Newman. In the circle, Crisp and Christie Robinson welcome three newcomers into the mix with two JC transfers, Casey Thompson and Heather Slettvet, and one freshman, Stephanie Bregante.

The Rebels open up the 2007 campaign by hosting the Alexis Resort Kick-Off Classic at Eller Media Stadium from Feb. 8-11.

2007 MWC Preseason Coaches' PollPlace    Team (1st-place votes)Points1.  San Diego State (5)     252.  UNLV                    193.  BYU (1)                 174.  Utah                    145.  Colorado State          106.  New Mexico               5