LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - In a preseason polling of the Mountain West softball coaches, UNLV was picked to finish second in the upcoming 2021 campaign. It marks the highest predicted finish since 2012 and is just the fourth time overall the Rebels have been higher than third in the annual preseason poll since UNLV joined the Mountain West in 2000.

The Rebels, under the direction of fourth-year head coach Kristie Fox, received 52 points, including one first-place vote, in the poll released by the league office Wednesday.

Fresno State was the overwhelming favorite, garnering 64 points and eight of nine first-place votes. The Rebels edged out third-place San Diego State by three points as the Aztecs tallied 49, followed by Boise State in fourth with 41 points. San Jose State was tabbed fifth with 38 points, while Colorado State came in sixth with 33. UNR and Utah State tied for seventh, each collecting 18 points, and New Mexico rounded out the poll in ninth with 11.

UNLV enters the 2021 season with unfinished business on its mind. After narrowly missing out the NCAA tournament in 2019, the Rebels began the 2020 campaign 21-5 - the second-best start in program history - before the season was cut short due to the coronavirus pandemic. UNLV will look to pick up where it left off last spring with six everyday starters returning in the field and two returning pitchers in Charlie Masterson and ace Jenny Bressler. The pair helped lead the Rebels to a 1.71 ERA, which ranked atop the Mountain West and was 14th in the country a year ago.

The Rebels open the 2021 campaign hosting the Rebel Kickoff at Eller Media Stadium, February 12-14. The full 2021 schedule will be made available on UNLVRebels.com soon.

2021 MW Softball Preseason Coaches' Poll