LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) – The UNLV volleyball team was picked to finish third overall in the 2019 Mountain West Preseason Poll, which was voted on by the Conference's 11 head coaches. Additionally, the coaches tabbed junior outside hitter
Mariena Hayden to the MW's Preseason Team.
Historically speaking, this year's predicted finish is tied for the second highest in conference history (2013) for a Rebel squad, and it only trails 2015's second-place selection.
The Rebels were edged out of second place by merely one point, as Wyoming took in 79 points compared to the Scarlet & Gray's 78. Colorado State claimed the top spot for the sixth straight year, accumulating 100 points and 10 first-place votes.
Boise State was fourth (73 points) in the survey and hauled in the sole remaining first-place vote.
Rounding out fifth to 11th place in the preseason poll were San Jose State (66), Fresno State (56), New Mexico (50), San Diego State (41), Air Force (28), Utah State (19) and UNR (15).
Hayden, who was an all-conference team performer in 2018, was one of seven MW student-athletes to be named to the conference's preseason team. The native of Belle Plaine, Minnesota, led the nation in aces (114) and aces per set (0.90), and finished second overall in points (690.0), fifth in points per set (5.43) and 10th in total kills (543). Not only were Hayden's 114 aces a UNLV single-season record, but they were the most by an NCAA student-athlete since the 25-point scoring format was adopted in 2008.
2019 SCHEDULE: UNLV will play a total of 29 regular-season matches, with 14 of those taking place inside the friendly confines of the Cox Pavilion. The fall slate, the second under head coach
Dawn Sullivan, will feature 18 contests against Mountain West foes as well as 11 more versus nonconference competition.
The Rebels open the season on the road with back-to-back tournaments in Ogden, Utah, and Irvine, California, on Aug. 30-31 and Sept. 6-7, respectively. The Scarlet & Gray returns to Las Vegas to host the UNLV Invitational (Sept. 13-14) and Rebel Challenge (Sept. 19-21) prior to the start of conference play.
Fans can get their first look at the Rebels during the Scarlet & Gray Alumnae Match on Aug. 22. The contest will take place at the Cox Pavilion and is scheduled to begin at 6:30 pm.
PURCHASE TICKETS: Tickets for the 2019 volleyball season are on sale now and can be purchased online at UNLVTickets.com. Fans can also get their tickets in person at the Thomas & Mack Center Box Office or by call 702-739-FANS (3267). Season tickets are only $50 for adults and $40 for seniors (62+), faculty and staff, and active alumni.
Tickets for individual matches are $8 for adults and $6 for seniors, faculty and staff. Additionally, fans that purchase tickets online up to three hours prior to first serve can get them for an advanced single-match price of $5. Tickets for groups of 15 or more are only $4 apiece.
All high school, middle school and elementary students are free under UNLV's admission policy. To receive free admission, high school students must present a valid Nevada area school I.D. at the box office on match day to receive one (1) complimentary ticket. All other students will receive one complimentary ticket at the box office (no I.D. required). Kids not yet elementary age will continue to receive free admission for all UNLV Olympic sports.
