If 2001 was a rebuilding year, 2002 looks to be a year for reloading by UNLV women's tennis as head coach Kevin Cory's program returns its top three players and five of seven letterwinners overall.

In fact, after winning the inaugural Mountain West Conference championship in 2000 and earning a surprising third-place finish last season, the Lady Rebels will look to make it two out of three league titles this spring.

"This is the best opportunity in my three years for us to get into the NCAAs," Cory says. "We had only two seniors and they played in the bottom of the lineup so we have a lot coming back this year.

"The last two years have been outstanding in recruiting. I have been very pleased with the people we have brought in and we finished on a strong note and that gives us momentum going into 2002."

SINGLES

Former NAIA All-American Paulina Janus (16-8 in singles in 2001) lived up to her advance billing after transferring in last January and now returns as a junior looking to make even greater strides in her performance at the No. 1 position. After a strong finish that included winning 10 of her last 11 regular-season matches, Janus earned a career-high ranking of 41 in the preseason.

"Paulina had an outstanding year for us last year and I see her only getting better as the spring unfolds," Cory says. "She has the physical abilities to be a top-20 player but she needs to be mentally tougher in the big matches."

Perhaps the league's top player after going 8-1 vs. MWC competition as a rookie, Janus' strong forehand will go a long way in earning her a repeat visit to the NCAA tournament.

"She has an excellent chance to return this year. In fact, we have two or three players that are capable of making the field depending on their opportunities in getting to face enough ranked opponents."

One of those players is 2001 MWC Freshman of the Year Agnieszka Abram (17-14) who was ranked 80th in September to mark the first time since 1996 that the Lady Rebels boasted two ranked players in the preseason poll. Despite an influx of talented recruits, Abram's big left-handed serve will help her keep a spot in the top half of the lineup.

"Aga had some big wins for us," Cory says. "She was a significant factor in our success last year and will be again. She will play a key role in determining how far we can go with this team."

Also fighting for time near the top will be one of those fantastic freshmen, Gyorgyi Zsiros, who showed signs of stardom while posting an 8-6 record in the preseason.

"Gyorgyi has been a pleasant addition," says her coach. "She was ranked in the top 50 as a junior. I knew she was an outstanding player but she also brings to the table something extra that you can't coach -- the heart and desire to win. She knows how to get the job done."

Another newcomer that turned in a strong fall debut is Tracie Chong out of Hawaii, who will set up shot in the fourth spot to start the spring.

"Tracie was ranked in the top 50 in the U.S. as a junior player and we feel she was a prized recruit," Cory says. "She is difficult to beat and will no doubt have an outstanding career at UNLV."

A late edition that will begin her career on the fifth court but could move up the ladder is freshman Leentjie Oosthuizen from South Africa.

"Leentjie just joined us in January and I look to her in the coming years to be one of our top players in both singles and doubles," Cory says. "She completed what I feel was one of the top 10 recruiting classes in the United States."

A testament to the depth of this year's outfit, UNLV will benefit from fielding easily the best No. 6 entry in school history as former three player Marianne Bakken (12-15) moves down. Look for the 2002 team captain to experience a career year in singles.

"Marianne is the last player from the previous coaching staff and I really can't imagine the team without her on it," Cory says. "She is going to be so tough to replace next year. She has a big game and I expect to get a lot of leadership out of her in our dual matches. Every point - whether it is No. 1 or No. 6 counts the same and I think Marianne can really help spread that team concept."

Amy Hadziosmanovic (12-14) has played at both five and six in her first two seasons on campus and now will help bolster the deepest team ever to wear UNLV uniforms.

"Amy is an outstanding athlete who is probably the fastest player on the team," Cory says. "Look for her to provide excellent depth this year. She is at her best when she is challenged so I look forward to her pushing for time this spring."

Pushing the veteran will be talented January walk-on from Hong Kong Suzanne Tsang, whom Cory calls another pleasant surprise. The only other senior on the 2002 Lady Rebel squad, Las Vegas native Jackie White (0-1) rounds out the roster after getting her first taste of Division I tennis a year ago.

DOUBLES

Of UNLV's 12 losses a year ago, half were by a score of 4-3 and most of those began by losing the doubles point. Don't look for the same handicap this spring. "Doubles play was certainly a weakness for us the past two years," Cory says. "But it's clear that we now have three outstanding teams and I look for that to be a big advantage this spring."

The team's No. 1 duo, which is once again made up of Polish stars Janus and Abram (11-6 in 2001), turned in a strong fall performance and could threaten for a spot at the NCAAs.

The second spot will feature former NCAA qualifier Marianne Bakken, who needs only 13 wins this year to move into second all-time at the school. She will get that opportunity with new partner Zsiros.

Chong and Oosthuizen will form perhaps the strongest third doubles team in school history while Hadziosmanovic will be the first one off the bench to lend a veteran hand.

SCHEDULE

"This year's schedule is challenging to the extent that we can move up in the national rankings if we play well but it is also realistic so that we are not playing a top-10 team every week," Cory says. "We have some matches that we should win and some that we will be the strong underdog so it has a good balance."

Filled with 13 home dates, the highlight of the slate is the inaugural spring invitational March 1-3, which will feature six ranked teams in the eight-school field, including top-10 Wake Forest.

After MWC play opens March 22, only the two Utah schools visit the Fertitta Tennis Complex as UNLV travels to San Diego and Colorado Springs to play the five other league opponents. The eight teams will reconvene in Provo, Utah, April 25-27 to decide the third-ever league championship.

"As far as favorites, San Diego State, defending champ BYU and New Mexico are perennial powers," Cory says. "But I like our chances against any of those teams this year. Playing in Provo will give the Cougars a big advantage but playing at Air Force a couple weeks earlier will be good preparation."

OVERALL

"This is by far the best team I've had here," says the head coach. "We have six strong singles players and three outstanding doubles teams and solid backups."

A preseason national ranking of 57 does not sway Cory's optimism - about this spring and beyond.

"A lot can happen but I think we'll make a big jump. I see this team getting into the top 30 if we stay healthy. I feel very good about the direction we are heading. We have just one senior and junior in the starting lineup, we have good support from the administration and outstanding facilities. The future for UNLV tennis is bright."