LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - The UNLV volleyball team was predicted to finish with a share of second place in the 2015 Mountain West Preseason Poll, which was voted on by the Conference's 11 head coaches. The Rebels and the Boise State Broncos collected 83 points apiece, but trailed the 12th-ranked and six-time defending champion Colorado State Rams' haul of 97 points.

The second-place forecast is the highest achieved by UNLV dating back to the first poll conducted in 1999 â€" the league's inaugural year. Two years ago, the Rebels were tabbed third overall, and that placement surpassed five different years slotted in fourth.

"It's the first time in my five years at UNLV that we've been picked this high," noted Rebel head coach Cindy Fredrick, the 2014 MW Coach of the Year. "I'm not sure I like that! It's a great testament to the hard work our players have put in over the last few years, but as we all know those predictions don't always hold true."

CSU received seven of the 11 first-place votes, while UNLV was second with two. Boise State and the Wyoming Cowgirls, who were picked fourth (77 points) were both selected to conclude the year atop the Conference's standings by one coach.

Rounding out fifth through 11th in the poll were New Mexico (67), San Diego State (58), Air Force (41), Utah State (39), Fresno State (26), Nevada, Reno (20) and San Jose State (14).

"I think our conference is stronger from top to bottom this year and things will be wide open. Everyone will have to bring its top game to win each and every match. I think we'll see a lot of upsets with each team possession the ability to win any given match."

Additionally, the league's head coaches also selected a seven-member All-MW Preseason Team, which included UNLV's own Bree Hammel. The redshirt junior, who was a 2014 All-MW Team and AVCA All-Pacific South Honorable Mention performer, led the Rebels in hitting efficiency (.343) and all three blocking categories. Hammel ranked sixth nationally in blocks per set (1.51) and ninth in total blocks (174).

The Rebels are coming off one of the best seasons in the program's history with a second-place showing in league standings and, most notably, set program records in overall (26) and conference (14) victories â€" after they were voted to finish seventh in the 2014 preseason poll.

Including Hammel, the Rebels return a total of four starters (Ceannia Kincade, Alexis Patterson and Alyssa Wing) and six more that were letterwinners from last year's record-setting campaign.

Before opening up the 2015 season at home in the UNLV Invitational (Aug. 28-29) against Central Arkansas, Omaha and Seton Hall, the Rebels will hold their annual Scarlet & Gray Scrimmage in the Cox Pavilion Saturday at 6:00 pm.

2015 Mountain West Preseason Poll

2015 Mountain West Preseason Team

Mountain West Preseason Player of the Year: Adrianna Culbert, Colorado State