Head coach Kathy Olivier enters her second season at the helm of the Lady Rebels program. In her first season, UNLV posted a 14-18 overall mark, but upset sixth-seeded BYU and third-seeded TCU in the MWC Women's Basketball Tournament. Olivier is just four wins shy of reaching the 250 career-win mark. This season, UNLV needs to find a replacement in the post for three-time all-MWC selection Shamela Hampton, who scored a team-high 14.9 points per game. The Lady Rebels return just two starters and seven letterwinners from last year's squad. Jamie Smith enters her sophomore year after being named the 2008-09 MWC Freshman of the Year. Smith led the nation in rebounding for freshmen and was first in the MWC last season, averaging 9.5 rebounds per game.
Sophomore guard/forward Jamie Smith returns for the Lady Rebels after being named the 2008-09 MWC Freshman of the Year and an honorable all-MWC selection last season. She led the nation in rebounding for freshmen and was first in the MWC last season, averaging 9.5 rebounds per game. Smith tallied 13 double-doubles, setting the mark for the most double-doubles by a freshman and UNLV and in the MWC. As a freshman, she scored in double-figures 20 times, including a career-high 27 points vs. Oklahoma State. Junior guard Erica Helms will handle the point-guard duties for UNLV after posting 10.3 points per game last season. She also led the squad with 91 assists and made a team-best 43 three-point baskets.
UTAH UTES
PREVIEW
Utah head coach Elaine Elliot, the dean of the MWC women's basketball coaches, returns for her 27th season. The Utes are looking for their sixth consecutive trip to the postseason after advancing to the second round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament last season. In 2008-09, the Utes tied for first place in the league (13-3), while also winning the MWC Tournament championship. The team returns just two starters, but eight letterwinners overall. Utah will depend on senior Kalee Whipple's leadership. Last season, Whipple averaged 17.0 points per game and 6.2 rebounds per game. A first-team all-MWC selection, she amassed three 30+ point outings, while scoring in double-figures in 31 of her 33 games.
2009-09 Postseason: NCAA, second round loss to Maryland
2009-10 MWC Preseason Media Poll: 3rd
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 8/4
Starters Returning/Lost: 2/3
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Kalee Whipple, F, Sr., 6-0
Halie Sawyer, F, Sr., 6-1
Senior forward Kalee Whipple was named a unanimous all-MWC first-team selection in 2008-09. She ranked second in the league in scoring, averaging 17.0 points per game. She amassed three 30+ point outings, while scoring in double-figures in 31 of her 33 games. Whipple currently holds a 17-game streak of scoring in double-figures. Senior forward Halie Sawyer ranked first on the team in and fifth in the league for rebounding, averaging 7.6 rebounds per game last season. Sawyer pulled down double-figure rebounds in 10 games. She also led the team in blocked shots (1.2 bpg), while ranking fourth in the MWC.
WYOMING COWGIRLS
PREVIEW
The Cowgirls return a team comprised mostly of underclassmen. Without a returning senior, juniors Hillary Carlson and Aubrey Vandiver will take over the leadership roles. Last season, Wyoming finished tied for fifth in the league with an 8-8 record and a 16-14 overall mark. The team returns three starters and nine letterwinners overall. Wyoming is looking to return to the postseason after making its first-ever appearance in the NCAA Tournament in 2008.
Junior forward Hillary Carlson, a 2008-09 all-MWC second-team selection, led her team in points (11.8 ppg), blocks (1.2 bpg), field-goal percentage (.504) and free-throw percentage (.790). She recorded double-figure points in 17 games, including three 20+ point outings. Carlson dropped in a career-high 27 points and recorded her first double-double with 10 rebounds vs. TCU. Junior guard Aubrey Vandiver returns after serving a medical redshirt last season. As a sophomore, she averaged 10.6 points per game and 5.7 rebounds, ranking third and second on the team, respectively. A third-team all-MWC selection, Vandiver also added 66 assists and 42 steals in 2007-08.
