Aug. 17, 2010

LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - The UNLV volleyball team was selected to finish eighth in the 2010 Mountain West Conference Volleyball Preseason Poll, as voted on by the league's nine head coaches and selected media. The Rebels received 36 points to finish seven spots behind Colorado State, who notched 134 points and 15 of 16 first-place votes.

The Rebels, who are coming off a disappointing 8-19 showing last season, look to rebound with the help of six returning letterwinners, three of which are starters, and a plethora of newcomers. Sara Nehf and Kelsey Keeler return to their outside hitter positions, while Kela Lau Hee trolls the backcourt as the libero. Amanda Alles, Jeralynn Makaiwi and Nile Te'o round out the six familiar faces

Colorado State, who won the conference title in 2009, was tabbed to capture its second-straight championship. The Rams held a 30-point advantage on their closest league foe in Utah, who placed second in the poll with 104 points.

TCU was picked third with 99 points after reaching the NCAA Tournament in 2009 for the first time in program history. New Mexico followed closely behind TCU's output with 96 points of its own.

BYU was slotted fifth with 85 points. San Diego State came in sixth with 62 points ahead of Wyoming's 43 for seventh. Air Force rounded out the nine-team poll with 16 points.

The Rebels will play their Alumni Game this Saturday, Aug. 21, in the Cox Pavilion Practice Gym at 1:00 pm.

UNLV kicks off the 2010 season on the road (Aug. 27-28) in Long Beach, Calif., at the Long Beach State Baden Classic. The Rebels will square off with Saint Mary's at 11:00 am Friday morning before playing LBSU at 7:00 pm later that evening. The team returns for its third and final game of the Classic with a 1:30 pm showing against Rutgers on Saturday afternoon