Lady Rebels slotted at sixth

LITTLETON, Colo. -- A psychology major in her senior year, UNLV guard Sequoia Holmes has learned something about motivational tricks.

She knows how preseason predictions are made and how coaches and players can perceive them in different ways. She is a realist.

The Lady Rebels were picked to finish sixth in the Mountain West Conference last season, and that's exactly where they finished. So, following that pattern, Holmes was neither irritated nor surprised to see UNLV again picked sixth in the preseason poll announced Wednesday at the league's basketball media day.

"That's what we earned," Holmes said. "We didn't really do much to prove that we shouldn't be sixth. Now, we have to prove some people wrong.

"I am extremely motivated for this season. I want to do more and exceed mediocrity."

Holmes, from Mojave High School, is the player most capable of elevating the Lady Rebels to contender status. She was sixth in the Mountain West and led the team in scoring at 14.2 points per game last season. She also was the conference's Defensive Player of the Year.

But she was not voted to the preseason all-conference first team. Again, she didn't complain, because a postseason honor of that type would mean a lot more.

In Holmes' three seasons, UNLV has a mediocre 23-23 record in conference games and a 48-42 overall record.

The Lady Rebels are more intent on proving their worth than feeling disrespected and vocally campaigning for recognition.

"I actually kind of like the underdog position," junior guard Brittany Halberg said. "You can surprise a lot of people."

UNLV coach Regina Miller expects that to happen. After eight consecutive winning seasons, Miller watched her team slip to a 14-15 finish last season. She blamed a lack of senior leadership and a rash of injuries for the decline.

"We could have folded, but we didn't do that. It could have been worse," Miller said. "I think we'll be a team that's full of surprises, and hopefully on the upside ... positive surprises."

The Lady Rebels return four starters, a group that includes Holmes, Halberg, junior center Shamela Hampton and sophomore guard Alison Holiday.

Hampton, who averaged 12 points and 6.7 rebounds per game, had surgery on both knees after last season and is not back to 100 percent. But she will be ready by the Nov. 9 season opener against Long Beach State.

Dominique Harris, a junior guard who transferred from Gonzaga, and junior forward Raquel Jupiter, a junior college transfer from Los Angeles, are newcomers who will make an impact, Miller said.

"Our team has a great attitude," Miller said. "Every day, I'm happy. It doesn't mean I'm satisfied, but it means I enjoy being around my team."