UNLV Softball picked to finish fifth in WAC Coaches’ Poll

Thursday, Jan. 14, 1999 | 1:09 a.m.

DENVER, Colo. -- The UNLV Rebel softball team was picked to finish fifth in the Western Athletic Conference in an annual vote by WAC softball coaches. For the fifth straight year Fresno State, the 1998 NCAA National Champion, was picked to finish on top. The Bulldogs were followed by Hawai'i, Utah and Colorado State to round out the top five.

The Rebels lost just two players to graduation last season and return starters in every position except catcher where they will have to replace two-time All-American Julie Crandall. In addition to the returning letterwinners, the Rebels also have eight newcomers joining the team, giving the Rebels more depth then they have had in recent years. Among the new recruits are three pitchers who are expected to revamp a Rebel pitching corps that returns just one starting hurler from last season. UNLV opens its season on February 6 against Southern Utah. Their final WAC season kicks off on the road for three games against Hawai'i on March 12-13.

Below is the complete poll as voted on by the WAC's nine head softball coaches:

1999 WAC SOFTBALL COACHES' POLL

(Points are awarded on an 8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 basis)

Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Total

1. Fresno State 8 - - - - - - - 64

2. Hawaii 1 4 3 - - - - - 54

3. Utah - 4 4 - - - - - 52

4. Colorado State - 1 2 3 - 2 - - 40

5. UNLV - - - 4 3 1 - - 35

6. San Diego State - - - 2 4 - 2 - 30

7. San Jose State - - - - 1 4 2 1 21

8. New Mexico - - - - - 2 2 4 14