May 24, 2002

COLLEGE STATION, Texas - UNLV tennis standout Thomas Schneiter was eliminated from the NCAA Singles Championship with a third-round loss to No. 1-ranked and top-seeded Matias Boeker of Georgia, 6-2, 6-1, at the Texas A&M Tennis Center Friday.

Schneiter, a senior from Worb, Switzerland, had won both of his previous matches in straight sets but was overpowered en route to only his third loss in his last 20 matches. Boeker, a junior from Buenos Aries, Argentina, improved to 22-3 overall and has not lost since March 1.

Schneiter, currently ranked 62nd, finished the season 24-8 and his Rebel career with a mark of 35-16 after transferring from the University of Oregon two years ago. He automatically earned All-America status by reaching the NCAA round of 16, becoming only the third UNLV men's player to push that deep in the singles tournament following 1987 quarterfinalist Scott Warner and 1997 national champion Luke Smith.

"Thomas played a little tight and he was going up against just a flat-out great player," UNLV head coach Larry Easley said. "Give Boeker credit, he is really tough and I can see him winning the whole thing. Overall, it was a good tournament for Thomas and he had an outstanding senior year. It was nice to get another All-American in the Rebel tennis family."

The only other Mountain West Conference player still alive Friday fared much better. Oliver Maiberger of San Diego State, ranked 26th, upset fifth seed Andy Leber of Texas-Arlington 6-2, 4-6, 6-2 to reach Saturday's quarterfinals.