LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) – The UNLV volleyball team was picked to finish second overall in the Spring 2021 Mountain West Preseason Poll, which was voted on by the Conference's 11 head coaches. Additionally, the coaches tabbed senior outside hitter
Mariena Hayden to the MW's Preseason Team.
Historically speaking, this year's predicted finish is tied for the highest in conference history for a Rebel squad, equaling 2015's second-place projection.
The Colorado State Rams garnered five first-place votes and accumulated 92 points to finish atop the preseason rankings for the seventh straight year. The Rebels followed closely behind with four-first place votes and 90 points. Wyoming and San Diego State claimed one first-place vote apiece, with the former slotted third (80 points) and the latter fifth (70 points); however, Boise State fell in between the two in fourth (76 points). Fresno State came in sixth (48 points) and was followed by UNR (seventh/41 points), Air Force (eighth/33 points), San Jose State (ninth/28 points), New Mexico (10th/25 points) and Utah State (11th/22 points).
Hayden, who was an all-conference performer in 2018 and 2019, was one of eight MW student-athletes to be named to the conference's preseason team, the second of her career. The Belle Plaine, Minnesota, native, concluded the 2019 campaign ranked second and third in aces per set (0.69) and service aces (70), respectively. She also registered team highs in kills (384), kills per set (3.76), aces, points (479.5) and points per set (4.70). She was third in digs (302), digs per set (2.96) and blocks (10), while adding 41 total blocks, 31 of which were of the assisted variety.
2021 SCHEDULE: UNLV will play a total of 16 matches against MW competition during the Spring 2021 season, with eight of those taking place inside the friendly confines of the Cox Pavilion. The season will span a total of nine weeks, beginning Feb. 4 and running through April 3, with each MW institution playing six conference opponents twice – in a two-match series format – and the remaining four foes only once.
The Scarlet & Gray gets the season started next week at home against the San Diego State Aztecs (Feb. 4-5).
RETURNING REBELS: UNLV returns 11 letterwinners, which includes eight upperclassmen, from the 2019 squad that reached the second round of the National Invitational Volleyball Championship and posted a 20-11 overall record and a third-place showing in the Mountain West behind a 15-3 mark. This year's squad features six seniors –
Jillian Berg,
Erin Davis,
Alison French, Hayden,
Macy Smith and
Thea Sweder, two juniors – Brennan and
Lauryn Burt, and three sophomores –
Shelby Capllonch,
Paola Garcia and
Paris Oliveira.
ALL-CONFERENCE RETURNEES: Hayden and Brennan were both recognized by the MW each of the past two seasons with the former named to the All-Conference Team, while the latter claimed Honorable Mention honors.
FAN CUTOUTS: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, spectators will not be allowed to attend UNLV volleyball's home matches; however, those who wish to help fill the stands this season may do so by purchasing a fan cutout.
For those fans wanting to purchase a cutout similar to those displayed at UNLV football as well as men's and women's basketball games, you may do so here:
CLICK HERE. Be sure to write "Volleyball" in the comments section.
