Feb. 3, 2011

LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - The 2011 UNLV softball team was picked to finish third in this year's Mountain West Conference Preseason Poll, as voted on by the league's six head coaches. This is the fourth consecutive year that the Rebels have been slotted in the third spot. UNLV picked up 15 points in the poll to trail BYU and San Diego State, who both made the NCAA Tournament last season.

BYU racked up 24 points, including four first-place votes. SDSU followed closely behind with 22 points and two first-place votes. Colorado State, Utah and New Mexico rounded out the fourth through sixth spots, respectively, with 13, 11 and five points.

The 2011 Rebels' roster will have a much different appearance to it than in years past. After fielding a senior-laden team in 2010, this year's edition will lean more towards underclassmen with 12. In all, there will be nine seniors and juniors combined to help guide the team through the four-month schedule. The team will welcome seven freshmen and two transfers into the fold, as well.

Ashli Holland is the lone all-conference performer returning from last year's squad that went 33-20 overall and 10-5 in league action. In all, Holland has been chosen All-MWC three times. She led the team in RBI last year with 42, while batting .364 with 52 hits (10 doubles and eight home runs) and scored 39 runs.

Besides Holland, the Rebels return all three of its pitchers (Jessica O'Connor, Traci Odegard and Kylie Wagner), as well as, centerfielder Paige Emerson and Tayler Aleman, who will make the transition from third base to shortstop this season.

UNLV opens up the season next week with its own Sportco Kick-Off Classic, which is scheduled for Feb. 11-13. The Rebels will play Mississippi State and UC Riverside in back-to-back games on the 11th with the first pitch scheduled for 3:45 pm. Rounding out the five-team field will be #10/11 Washington and Illinois-Chicago, who UNLV will play on the 12th.

2011 MWC Preseason Poll

Place    Team (1st-place votes)  Points1   BYU (4)                 242   San Diego State (2) 223   UNLV                    154   Colorado State          135   Utah                    116   New Mexico           5