THE ELEVATOR

Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2007 | 7:02 a.m.

Who's headed toward the penthouse on the local sports scene - and who's getting the shaft.

GOING UP

Victory con Carney

Senior forward Katie Carney has led the UNLV women's soccer team to four consecutive Mountain West Conference regular-season titles. The broadcasting major is also a whiz in the classroom, with a 3.67 grade-point average . ESPN might want to ring her cell.

The assassin

Former UNLV guard Marcus Banks sank three 3-point shots in a 55-second stretch during the end of the third quarter and into the fourth to ignite a Phoenix comeback and eventual victory in Seattle on opening night Thursday. He might be ready to contribute to the Suns in a major way.

Among the best

The 19-3 UNLV women's volleyball team cracked the coach's Top 25 poll, at No. 25, for the first time Monday. Led by senior outside hitters Maria Aladjova of Bulgaria and Lauren Miramontes, a Southern California native, the Rebels won eight consecutive matches to finally get some national recognition.

Non-Tiger tournaments

If you had Stephen Ames in the PGA Tour tournament in Florida over the weekend, you cashed a sweet 40-1 ticket. The 43-year-old native of Trinidad recorded his third career victory. Without Tiger Woods and other elite players, big-ticket opportunities are aplenty.

GOING DOWN

Actually, up and up and up ...

To the chagrin of sweet science fans, ticket prices for the Dec. 8 fight between Ricky Hatton and Floyd Mayweather Jr. at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. One broker's range went from $1,222 a ticket to $39,000 for third-row ringside. The arena's Web site asks $6,399 for a corner ringside ducat. Ouch.

The hoodie

New England coach Bill Belichick's act is officially stale. He did have the class not to wear that grungy pullover Sunday in Indianapolis, but we're tired of the robotic coachspeak. Couldn't run a late flea-flicker, ahead by dozens of points, against the Colts, could you, Bill? The Patriots play in Buffalo on Nov. 18. Go, Bills!