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Friday, September 17, 1999
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal
Soccer teams experimenting during early games
Review-Journal
There is plenty of hype surrounding UNLV with its football team off to its best start in recent years.
But the football field isn't the only place creating excitement for Rebel fans.
The volleyball team is off to its best start ever, the women's soccer team is 2-1-1 and, despite being 2-3, the men's soccer team has remained competitive with four one-goal matches.
"We're still trying to find out who we are," men's soccer coach Barry Barto said. "The talent is there and we see things in practice, but it doesn't always equate in games."
The Rebels return eight starters from last year's 7-11 squad, and after spending three years in the Western Athletic Conference, they return to the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation.
Trading "good for good," Barto said the switch to the much stronger conference will have his team facing some of the nation's top talent.
"We need to be ready by the time we play UCLA (1997-98 national champion, on Oct. 15)," Barto said. "We need to be playing with a good rhythm. We're trying different things with different players.
"I hope by this weekend we're playing pretty good soccer."
Mental mistakes have been the biggest hurdle for Barto's bunch, which lost a 2-1 game Sunday to No. 16 Washington in the Rebel Classic at Peter Johann Memorial Field.
"A good team will take advantage of these mistakes and easily turn them into goals," Barto said. "We're still struggling to get things in order."
Four Rebels scored goals Saturday against Detroit Mercy in a 4-3 victory.
Through five matches, sophomore forward Jason Melendez leads the team with six points, and freshmen forwards Paul Dickinson and Tuomas Talvio each have four.
Ryan Bledsoe and Robert Ackah share the goalkeeping duties, and senior Todd Roberts anchors the defense.
On the women's side, coach Staci Henderschott is optimistic during her team's second season of existence.
"I'm pleased knowing we're playing well," Henderschott said. "We're just trying to play off last year's success."
The Rebels finished their inaugural season 8-10-1 and in the cellar of the WAC's Pacific Division.
But with 15 returning letterwinners, including 10 of 12 players who recorded scoring statistics and the team's top six scorers, UNLV is looking to invade the Mountain West Conference.
"I actually feel a little more pressure this year because we have a tougher schedule and the expectations are much higher," Henderschott said. "So far, the chemistry is going well. We just need to find our offensive scheme."
Through four games, sophomore forward Janae Sims leads the team with five points, and sophomore midfielder Anita Pedford has four.
Returning with Sims and Pedford as top scoring threats are Felicia Madrigal, Breanna Seaton, Suzanne Jensen, Stephanie Sutter and newcomer Cosette Joffs, a Green Valley High School graduate.
Leading the charge on defense will be junior goalkeeper Shannon Wilson, who is allowing less than one goal a game.
-- VOLLEYBALL -- The women's squad is off to its best start ever at 6-0, eclipsing the 5-0 record in 1979 and 1998. After winning three in the UNLV Volleyball Classic two weeks ago, the Rebels blitzed a field of Louisville, Rutgers and Maryland in the Terrapin Invitational last weekend in College Park, Md.
"I'm happy with where we're at, but we're still playing inconsistent," coach Deitre Collins said. "We will get better -- we better get better -- and we're on track; that's the main thing."
The Rebels appear well on their way to a year full of milestones, with eight being set thus far.
Collins (43-48) became the program's all-time most winning coach when the Rebels defeated Southern Illinois for her 40th victory. The win surpassed Karen Lamb, who had 39 wins from 1985 to 1987.
Also, Justine Kamelamela tied her career high of 16 digs at Maryland; Christel Eves tied her career high of 15 digs against Louisville, and she recorded a career-high eight service aces at Maryland, which tied a Rebel record for most service aces in a match; Amber Graham recorded a career-high seven digs against Louisville, tied her career high of seven total blocks against Louisville and set a career high of three solo blocks; and Angie Sylvas recorded a career-high six service aces against Maryland.
-- CROSS COUNTRY -- A week after eight runners topped their career bests, the Rebels finished ninth at the Irvine Invite. Senior Stephanie Davidson led the team for the second consecutive week, finishing at 19:02.0 for a 34th-place finish, and newcomers Jenni Nelson and Wendy Murphy continued to impress.
Senior Sharlene Downing will return to the lineup this week after missing the first two meets with an injury. Last year's No. 2 runner had the best times of the returning athletes.
The Rebels are off this week and will compete Sept. 25 at the Sundodger Invite in Seattle.
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