LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - The UNLV softball team will head to Southern California for the next tournament. The Rebels will compete at the UC Santa Barbara tournament beginning on Friday, Feb. 28- Sunday, March 2. The Scarlet & Gray joins Creighton, Saint Mary's and the host Gauchos for a five-game weekend.
 
SCHEDULE:
Friday, February 28 - Saint Mary's vs. UNLV at 9 a.m. PT
Friday, February 28 - Creighton vs. UNLV at 11:45 a.m. PT
 
Saturday, March 1 - Creighton vs. UNLV at 11:45 a.m. PT
Saturday, March 1 - UNLV at UC Santa Barbara at 2:15 p.m. PT
 
Sunday, March 2 - UNLV at UC Santa Barbara at 12:45 p.m. PT
 
UNLV vs. the field
All-time vs. CREIGHTON: 2-3
Streak: Won 2
First meeting: Creighton won 13-1 (5) on March 8, 1987
Last meeting: Won 4-2 on Feb. 9, 2018
 
All-time vs. SAINT MARY'S: 7-3
Streak: Loss 1
First meeting: Won 4-3 on Feb. 3, 1989
Last meeting: Saint Mary's won 4-3 on March 6, 2016
 
All-time vs. UC SANTA BARBARA: 41-21
Streak: Loss 2
First meeting: Won 3-1 on Feb. 17, 1985
Last meeting: UCSB won 7-6 on Feb, 18, 2024
 
BROADCAST INFO: The UC Santa Barbara Tournament will only have a stream for games vs. UC Santa Barbara on ESPN+. Live stats are available on UNLVRebels.com
 
NEXT SERIES: The Rebels will close out the non-conference slate at the GCU Tournament from March 7 - March 9 in Phoenix, Ariz. UNLV joins San Diego, Saint Joseph's, UPenn and host the Lopes for a five-game weekend.
 
LAST TIME ON THE FIELD: The Rebels went 2-3 in the Garnet & Black Invitational last weekend. Through five games, Charelle Aki and Sofia Morales led the squad, each batting .400. Aki was 4-for-10 including a double and five RBI, which also led the Scarlet & Gray through the weekend. Morales was 6-for-15 including a double. Yanina Sherwood and Amelia Weber each collected a victory over the weekend.
 
350 CAREER WINS: Head coach Kristie Fox collected her 350th career win on Feb. 14, 2025 in the 4-3 victory over Idaho State in the opening game of the UNLV Rebel Classic. Fox currently has an overall head coaching record of 353-254 and an UNLV head coach recording of 219-117. Fox collected her 200th win at the helm of the Rebels last season on March 28, 2024 in the 7-3 victory over Utah State.
 
LAST YEAR: The Rebels had an overall record of 31-19 including a 14-8 MW record and a trip to the MW Championships. Maddie Scmidt was named MW Defensive Player of the Year. Ariana Martinez picked up All-MW first team honors and Schmidt and Ellie Zellien garnered All-MW second team honors.
 
MOUNTAIN WEST PRESEASON: UNLV is predicted to finish fourth in the Mountain West this season. The whole list is as follows: 1. San Diego State; 2. Fresno State; 3. Boise State; 4. UNLV; 5. Nevada; 6. Colorado State; 7. Utah State; 8. New Mexico; 9. San Jose State.
 
Senior Ariana Martinez and sophomore Jesse Farrell were named to the preseason All-MW team.
 
REBELS' SQUAD: UNLV returns 6 letterwinners, including three position starters. All-Mountain West and NFCA All-West selection Ariana Martinez returns along with NFCA All-West recipient Jesse Farrell and Sofia Morales. Charelle Aki, Kailani Olivas and Bri Willams also return to the Rebels this season. UNLV welcomes 15 newcomers to the squad which include: freshmen Gwyn Burnett, Jazmine Chavez, Mantha Hatzenbeller, Kamryn Messick and Yanina Sherwood; sophomores: Ellie Bostedt, Bri Hamilton, Brooke Pisciotta and Sage Vandemark; juniors: Maddie Scott, Diamond Sefe, Maggie Vasa and Amelia Weber; senior Karmyna Becerra and graduate student Destinee Noury.
 
The Rebels bring back three of the top-five hitters from last season which includes Martinez, Farrell and Morales. Martinez led the squad with a .396 batting average, and posted team-highs in doubles (15), RBI (51), slugging percentage (.708) and on-base percentage (503). Farrell hit .359 with 12 doubles and a team-high 11 home runs. Farrell also had 46 RBI and the second-highest slugging percentage with a .683. Morales started all 50 games last season and batted a .350 with three doubles and two triples. Morales also had 19 RBI.