March 16, 2001

MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Citing numerous injuries, the 55th-ranked UNLV men's tennis team defaulted its third-round match and pulled out of the prestigious Blue-Gray Tennis Classic Friday.

With the forfeit to No. 30 Indiana State, the Rebels fell to 7-5 overall and will not play in Saturday's final round.

Head Coach Larry Easley said No. 1 player Thomas Schneiter suffered a twisted ankle on Thursday, No. 2 player Nenad Zivkovic is battling a shoulder injury and No. 3 man Danny Erez has a swollen wrist.

"I need to get our guys home and start getting them healthy for our Mountain West Conference matches coming up," Easley said. "I'm pleased because we turned in a good spring break trip by beating four teams that are currently nationally ranked."

UNLV will host its final three home matches of the season next week. The nation's fifth-ranked team, Texas Christian, comes to town Tuesday while No. 71 New Mexico State plays Friday at the Fertitta Tennis Complex and then No. 33 Tulsa will take on the Rebels on Sunday following the annual Senior Day festivities.