LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - Six members of the 2019 UNLV softball team were named Easton/NFCA All-America Scholar-Athlete award winners for the 2018-19 academic year, the National Fastpitch Coaches Association announced Thursday.

Four are current Rebels - sophomore pitcher Jenny Bressler, junior catcher Cristiona Caccamise, senior outfielder Lauren Tycksen, and sophomore catcher Julia Vollmer, while two are former student-athletes - catcher/infielder Kiley Harrison, and catcher/outfielder Abby Howard.

Over 8,000 student-athletes (8,161), a first in NFCA history, were recognized as award winners. The honors recognize the academic prowess of softball teams across the Association's membership categories. NCAA Division I had 1,769 student-athletes that earned a 3.5 grade-point average or higher in 2018-19.

The UNLV softball team, which narrowly missed the NCAA Tournament this past season, began practicing for the fall season Monday.

Under head coach Kristie Fox, who is in her third year at the helm of the program, the Rebels turned in a second straight successful season in 2019, going 36-14 and ending up as one of the NCAA Selection Committee's first four teams out.

The Rebels began the 2019 campaign with a 25-7 record, which marked its best start to a season in 24 years, then closed by winning eight of its last nine games. The 36 wins were the squad's most victories in a season since 2007.

The team also recorded its best non-conference mark in school history, going 22-5 against non-league opponents.

UNLV achieved back-to-back 30-win seasons during its first two years under Fox, marking the first back-to-back 30-win seasons for the program in nine years.