UNLV men’s golf team looking to get hot again

UNLV's John Oda competes in the Southern Highlands Collegiate on March 7, 2016, at Southern Highland Golf Club. (Courtesy/UNLV)

Golfer Shintaro Ban in action for UNLV at the Southern Highlands Collegiate on March 9, 2016, at Southern Highlands Golf Club. (Courtesy/UNLV)

UNLV's Shintaro Ban earns medalist honors at the Robert Kepler Intercollegiate on April 10, 2016, at The Ohio State University Golf Club's Scarlet Course. The Rebels also won as a team. (Courtesy/UNLV)

Shintaro Ban receives instruction from UNLV golf coach Dwaine Knight at the Southern Highlands Collegiate on March 9, 2016, at Southern Highlands Golf Club. (Courtesy/UNLV)

Golfer Shintaro Ban in action for UNLV at the Southern Highlands Collegiate on March 8, 2016 at Southern Highlands Golf Club. (Courtesy/UNLV)

Golfer Shintaro Ban in action for UNLV at the Southern Highlands Collegiate on March 8, 2016 at Southern Highlands Golf Club. (Courtesy/UNLV)

UNLV's John Oda competes in the Southern Highlands Collegiate on March 9, 2016, at Southern Highland Golf Club. (Courtesy/UNLV)

UNLV was the hottest team in the nation last season when it went into the NCAA regionals, having won three of four golf tournaments and finishing second in the other one.

But the Mountain West champion Rebels came in sixth at the regional in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, missing making the NCAA championship field by just one spot.

It’s a bitter feeling the Rebels take into this season, which began this past weekend at the Gene Miranda Falcon Invitational at Air Force Academy, Colorado.

But with the core of the team back, the Rebels believe they can take the frustrations of coming so close last season and use them as a driving force.

“Definitely,” junior John Oda said. “It was a bittersweet ending to fall sh0rt to make it into nationals last year. It was frustrating as a team, but we definitely use it as motivation to move forward and to get better and put ourselves in a better position and to finish this season strong and to make it to nationals.”

Coach Dwaine Knight said the team’s play down the stretch before the regionals showed the players had to ability to compete with anyone.

“It’s hard to get momentum at that level the way we had it going,” Knight said. “We were just playing at a really high level. I think they have a good feel of what it takes to get back to that level.”

There is plenty of reason to believe UNLV will again make a strong run at the NCAAs, even though they have to replace team captain AJ McInerney.

Oda and fellow junior Shintaro Ban are coming off all-regional seasons, and Oda was chosen an honorable-mention All-American by the Golf Coaches Association of America.

This summer, Ban won the California State Amateur Championship, a year after his brother, Shotaro, claimed the event. It was the first time in the 105-year tournament history that brothers won it.

Then Shintaro Ban went on to win the Northern California Golf Association Amateur Match Play Championship. Ban became just the 10th player in the past century to win both tournaments.

“A lot of great pros have won one or the other over the years,” Knight said. “He really played solid the whole summer.”

Another returning Rebel, sophomore Harry Hall, finished 10th a the British Amateur 2016.

UNLV also will count on senior Taylor Montgomery, who went to Foothill High School.

“He’s played in spots over the years, so he brings a different kind of perspective,” Knight said. “He played so good as a junior, a state champion, but hasn’t been as consistent as we would’ve hoped. But he’s a heck of an athlete and had a good summer, and I know he’s taken some of the leadership role being the only senior on the team. So we’re hoping he can step up and really contribute to the scoring.”

WOMEN’S SOCCER — With the emphasis on recruiting locals, it’s little surprise 12 players from area high school are on the roster. But UNLV won’t be the only team on the Peter Johann Memorial Field on Friday night with a noticeable Las Vegas present.

Cal State Bakersfield, which visits the Rebels at 7 p.m. that day, brings three Las Vegas players back to their old city.

So there should be some familiarity, including between two of the opposing participants. UNLV redshirt freshman Michaela Morris, who went to Coronado High School, was the state’s Gatorade Player of the Year in 2014. Bakersfield sophomore Haley Vicente, an Arbor View product, was a nominee for that award.

MORE WOMEN’S SOCCER — UNLV and Bakersfield will wear gold shoe laces when they face each other. The laces, which cost $5 per pair, were purchased from Go4TheGoal, a New Jersey-based non-profit organization dedicated to the fight against pediatric cancer.

UNLV also is raising money in the cause, and those willing to donate can go to https://donate.go4thegoal.org/UNLVWomensSoccer.

MEN’S SOCCER —Before playing Oregon State at 7 p.m. Saturday at Peter Johann Memorial Field, UNLV also will host the Alumni Game at 3 p.m. and Guns & Hoses Game at 4 p.m. The latter is a matchup of police and fire departments.

VOLLEYBALL — The Rebels are 9-0 for the best start in school history. Going back to last season, they have won 10 in a row, tying the 1998 and 2007 teams for the longest in program history.

WOMEN’S GOLF — No. 24 UNLV opens its season Monday and Tuesday in the Dick McGuire/Branch Law Firm Invitational in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The Rebels are the defending Mountain West champions.

Contact Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914. Follow on Twitter: @markanderson65