March 30, 2001

SAN DIEGO - Despite defaulting both a singles and doubles match, a banged up UNLV men's tennis team still found a way to defeat Utah on the campus of San Diego State Friday.

UNLV, which is ranked 32nd, improved to 10-6 overall and 1-0 vs. Mountain West Conference competition. The Utes, who fell out of the national rankings this week, dropped to 7-8 and 1-3.

With only five players making the trip because of injuries, the Rebels began play down 1-0 overall and behind in doubles 1-0. UNLV had to win both doubles matches to take the team point and did just that as Nenad Zivkovic and Thomas Schneiter teamed up for a victory at the top spot and Gregor Skorin and Leslie Eisinga won their match at No. 2.

Having defaulted the sixth singles match, three of UNLV's players had to move up one spot in the lineup. Zivkovic, who himself is serving underhanded because of a shoulder injury, rallied to win his match over Dave Mercier, 2-6, 6-4, 6-1, at the No. 1 position. Schneiter gave his team its third point with a 6-1, 7-5 victory over Kevin Zenger at No. 2. The match was tied at three, however, when the Utes earned wins at the third and fourth positions. At the fifth spot, Eisinga held on to nip Tyler Poulson, 7-5, 3-6, 7-6 (2), to carry UNLV to its fifth win in the last six matches.

The Rebels continue conference play by facing No. 73 BYU Saturday.

UNLV MEN'S TENNIS RESULTS
UNLV 4, UTAH 3


SINGLES--
1.  Nenad Zivkovic (UNLV) def. Dave Mercier (UU)   2-6, 6-4, 6-12.  Thomas Schneiter (UNLV) def. Kevin Zenger (UU)   6-1, 7-53.  Corrie Scheepers (UU) def. Gregor Skorin (UNLV) 7-6, 6-04.  Daniel Carlsson (UU) def. Artin Tafazoli (UNLV)    6-2, 4-6, 6-45.  Leslie Eisinga (UNLV) def. Tyler Poulson (UU)  7-5, 3-6, 7-66.  UTAH WINS BY DEFAULT                                    Default

DOUBLES--
1.  Zivkovic/Schneiter (UNLV) def. Zenger/Nicholas Yip (UU) 8-42.  Skorin/Eisinga (UNLV) def. Mercier/Carlsson (UU)    8-53.  UTAH WINS BY DEFAULT                                    Default