Jan. 28, 2009

LAS VEGAS - The UNLV Rebels were selected to finish third in the 2009 Mountain West Conference Preseason Softball Poll, according to a vote of the league's six coaches. The Rebels tallied 15 points, while 2008 NCAA Tournament participants BYU and San Diego State tied atop the standings with both garnering three first-place votes and a total of 23 points.

UNLV, who will be led by first-year head coach Pete Manarino, welcomes back 13 letterwinners from the 2008 squad that went 25-40-1 overall and 5-15 in conference play. The Rebels return all three of their all-conference performers (Brittany Bolinger, Ashli Holland and Jaci Hull), while two former All-MWC honorees (Kendall Fearn and Marissa Nichols) jump back into the lineup after missing last year.

San Diego State notched its fourth MWC regular-season title last year with a 15-5 league mark, en route to a 44-17 season. The Aztecs return 12 letterwinners, including Erin Floros, Brittany Knudson and Lindsey Marquez. The trio earned All-MWC recognition last season.

BYU picked up its fourth straight 40-win season in 2008 with its 44-20 showing. The Cougars finished one game behind SDSU in the final 2008 MWC standings with a 14-6 tally. Last season's freshman of the year, Kristin Delahoussaye, returns to the Cougar roster and will be joined by fellow All-MWC members Angeline Quiocho and Amanda Vance.

The Utah Utes, Colorado State Rams and New Mexico Lobos round out the six-team poll. The Utes were tabbed to finish fourth with its 14 points, while the Rams notched 10 to the Lobos' five.

The Rebels begin their season on Feb. 6, as they host the Sportco Kick-Off Classic (Feb. 6-8) at Eller Media Stadium. UNLV will welcome Marshall, Illinois-Chicago and Seton Hall to Las Vegas for the weekend.