Lady Rebels’ goal is to ‘make some noise’

On a UNLV women's basketball team that was building for the future, Jamie Smith made a sudden impact as a freshman and introduced herself as a presence in the Mountain West Conference.

The Lady Rebels' first season under coach Kathy Olivier ended with a losing record, but it was considered a success. Olivier and Smith are just getting started.

"We created a little buzz, and now it's time for us to make some noise," Olivier said Wednesday at the league's Media Day in Denver.

UNLV is predicted to finish seventh in the MWC in the 2009-10 season, according to a poll of the league's nine head coaches and select media. Olivier is shooting for higher goals after a strong finish to her first year.

San Diego State was picked as the preseason favorite. The Aztecs, who knocked the Lady Rebels out in the conference tournament semifinals in March, received 25 first-place votes.

Texas Christian received the other three first-place votes to place second in the poll, followed by Utah, New Mexico, Wyoming and Brigham Young.

"You never want to be in that bottom half of the conference, but I think right now it's accurate because we have so many new players," Olivier said. "The chemistry is really, really good with this team. I think it's going to be a good season."

UNLV (14-18, 5-11 MWC) must replace center Shamela Hampton and guard Brittany Halberg, who were starters in all 32 games. But the 6-foot Smith is a solid building block. She averaged 10.6 points, 9.5 rebounds and shot 41.7 percent on 3-pointers en route to being named the conference's top freshman.

"Jamie is going to have her work cut out for her. Everybody in the country knows about her," Olivier said. "She's passionate about what she wants to do for UNLV, and I can't wait to see what she does."

Returning juniors Erica Helms and India Chaney are expected to start in the backcourt, and senior Allison Holiday is a key reserve. But the Lady Rebels are counting on several newcomers.

Olivier welcomes centers Sandrine Nzeukou, a 6-foot-2-inch sophomore transfer from Texas-Arlington, and 6-3 sophomore Markiell Styles.

The freshman class includes 6-2 Amanda Anderson, 6-foot Kelli Thompson and 5-6 Mia Bell, a Durango High School product.

Contact reporter Matt Youmans at myoumans@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2907.