"Once I got past the first cut, I felt like if I was working hard and if I keep working hard, it will pay off," Holmes said. "I didn't really think about my chances. I thought about working hard. That's why I'm still here. If I keep working hard, I'll still be here."

Holmes is the third Lady Rebels player to make a WNBA roster. Linda Frohlich (2002-04, 2006-07) and Pauline Jordan (1998) were the others.

Frohlich and former UNLV teammate Constance Jinks failed to make WNBA rosters this week. Frohlich was cut by the Sacramento Monarchs and Jinks by the Indiana Fever.

The 6-foot-1-inch Holmes was a first-team All-Mountain West Conference selection last season. She led the league with an 18.3-point average and was third with 7.3 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game.

The guard/forward played in all three Houston preseason games, averaging six points, 4.7 rebounds and two steals in 17 minutes per game.

Holmes knew she had to battle to make the club.

"There are a lot of veterans on this team, and they had a really good draft class," Holmes said.

As for Holmes' graduation class, she can't join it today to accept her diploma.

Instead, the psychology major will be at The Palace of Auburn Hills for the 12:30 p.m. PDT game against the Detroit Shock.

"I was hoping to be (at graduation) for my family to see me," Holmes said, "but I've got a big opportunity right here."

Contact reporter Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914.