Columnist Tim Graham: At UNLV, ladies make headway

Tim Graham's column appears Thursday. His media notebook appears Wednesday. Reach him at [email protected] or 259-4078.

Less than a year ago, the idea would have been laughable: Women leading UNLV athletics into the 21st century.

Maybe the thought still will generate some snickers or even out-and-out guffawing. But it might happen.

The spotlight will continue to glare on the men's programs. UNLV is -- and probably always will be -- a men's basketball school. The excitement surrounding John Robinson has pushed football to a new stratum.

And men's sports certainly will generate more revenue and fan support.

But the women are positioning themselves to experience more athletic success.

The Rebel women were honored Wednesday night at their annual awards banquet at the Moyer Student Union. Those in attendance couldn't help but see these ladies are on the verge of breaking out.

"People don't think about women's sports," volleyball coach Deitre Collins said. "They wonder how the (men's) basketball team will do or if the football team will win next year.

"I think we're here."

The volleyball team, resurrected out of mothballs in 1996, had a legitimate gripe over not being included in the NCAA tournament last year after finishing the season 23-8 with victories over several invited teams. Only one player will be lost to graduation.

The basketball team exceeded all expectations after winning only four games in each of the previous two seasons. First-year coach Regina Miller guided UNLV to a 17-11 mark.

The Lady Rebels will play in the upcoming preseason NIT with an even better roster than last year. As much as Miller doesn't want it in print, an NCAA tournament berth is not out of the realm of possibility.

Unless disaster strikes, volleyball and basketball prosperity shouldn't be an anomaly. The $8.5 million Cox Pavilion, set to open in March of 2000, will help recruiting exponentially.

"In the recruiting process," Miller said, "we would come up against coaches who would say 'Don't go to UNLV. They play in the South Gym.' This new facility will propel us in the direction we want, which is up."

But volleyball and basketball aren't all for the women.

The soccer program went 8-10-1 in its inaugural season and produced the Western Athletic Conference's freshman of the year in Anita Pedford. The cross country squad had its first NCAA meet qualifier this year with Angie Fortner, and coach Karen Dennis will be the U.S. Olympic track and field head coach for the 2000 Games. The rodeo team is ranked No. 1 in the country.

The only programs not performing well right now are softball, swimming and tennis.

A new softball facility, which has been discussed for about a decade, would turn that once-powerful program back around. The tennis team, which didn't qualify for the NCAA Regionals for the first time in years, is in need of a head coach. The swim team is, well, the swim team.

The men will always get more recognition and coverage. But right now the women are stepping to the fore.

"The potential for these women athletes is there," softball coach Shan McDonald said. "It's happening, and it's fun."

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