Aug. 4, 2009

LAS VEGAS - The UNLV Rebels were selected to finish sixth in the 2009 Mountain West Conference volleyball regular season, as voted on by the league's nine head coaches and selected media. The Rebels received 87 points to finish six spots behind the Utah Utes (eight first-place votes, 138 points), who are the reigning champion from the 2008 campaign.

Utah garnered the most first-place votes with eight, but nine others were dispersed to three other squads. The Colorado State Rams, who earned 135 points, were listed first four times for a second-place showing. The New Mexico Lobos came in third with three first-place votes and 112 points. The BYU Cougars rounded out those with top billing, as they had two votes and 96 points.

The TCU Horned Frogs were the last squad tabbed ahead of UNLV by a mere two points. TCU had 89 points for fifth place. The San Diego State Aztecs (53 points), Wyoming Cowgirls (38) and Air Force Falcons (17) rounded out seventh, eighth and ninth the nine-team league.

UNLV begins the 2009 campaign on the road in Gainesville, Fla., at the Campus USA Credit Union Invitational hosted by the Florida Gators. The Rebels will serve up the season on Aug. 28 (4:00 pm PT) against Florida before playing a match on Aug. 29 (2:00 pm PT) vs. the Valparaiso Crusaders.