May 12, 1998

LAS VEGAS - Junior men's tennis player Asaf Tishler has been named the regional winner of the Arthur Ashe Jr. Sportsmanship & Leadership Award as part of a trio of UNLV honors announced by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Tuesday.

UNLV's Larry Easley was named Region VII Co-Head Coach of the Year along with San Diego State's John Nelson. Easley, finishing his seventh season, has lifted the Rebels to as high as No. 32 in the nation after replacing five of six starters.

Fourth-year assistant Doug Failla also was honored. A former Long Beach State player under Easley, Failla was named 1998's Region VII Co-Assistant Coach of the Year, marking the first time a UNLV men's assistant earned such an honor.

Tishler, currently 21-11 and ranked 41st nationally in singles, is a former soldier in the Israeli army who has become one of UNLV's most consistent players ever. The only returning starter on a team that lost two national champions, Tishler, from Tel Aviv, has successfully ascended to the squad's No. 1 position and led a young team to a spot in this week's NCAA regional championship being hosted at the Fertitta Tennis Complex beginning Thursday.

1998 ITA REGION VII AWARDSCo-Head Coach of the YearLarry Easley, UNLVJohn Nelson, San Diego State
Co-Assistant Coach of the YearDoug Failla, UNLVRyan Johnston, San Diego State
Senior of the YearPeter Luczak, Fresno State
Rookie of the YearTon Gwinyai, UTEP
Arthur Ashe Jr. Sportsmanship & Leadership AwardAsaf Tishler, UNLV
Player to WatchJeff Williams, New Mexico