Aug. 6, 2003

LAS VEGAS - A program-best nine UNLV student-athletes earned a spot on the 2003 Academic All-Mountain West Conference Tennis Team, which marked just one of three classroom honors recently awarded to Rebel tennis players.

For the second consecutive season, a record-tying five of UNLV's six starting women's singles players were included on the league list.

Three of the 2003 conference regular-season champion Lady Rebels - three-time All-MWC singles player Paulina Janus, junior Agnieszka Abram and sophomore All-MWC player Tracie Chong -- were repeat honorees with Abram earning her third straight nod. Joining them this year were senior Amy Hadziosmanovic and freshman Cindy Treber.

All-conference singles player Aviram Salomon headed the men's side for the second consecutive season while a trio of freshmen made its debut on the list: All-MWC singles player Henner Nehles, Romain Massaro and Milos Blagojevic.

To be eligible for selection, a student-athlete must have completed at least one academic term at the member institution, maintain a cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 or better and be a starter or significant contributor.

In addition, the new MWC Scholar-Athlete Award, which is bestowed those with at least a 3.5 GPA, was earned by four Rebel tennis players: Abram, Chong, Salomon and Blagojevic.

Also, the Intercollegiate Tennis Association announced Wednesday its academic honors. The entire UNLV women's team earned ITA Academic All-America status for the seventh time in history and second consecutive year while a program-record three women were slated as ITA Scholar-Athletes: Abram, Chong and Hadziosmanovic. Two men's players - Salomon and Blagojevic -- were also so honored by the ITA.

UNLV MEMBERS OF THE 2003 ACADEMIC ALL-MWC TENNIS TEAMPLAYER                  YEARAgnieszka Abram*#       JuniorTracie Chong*#          SophomoreAmy Hadziosmanovic*     SeniorPaulina Janus           SeniorCindy Treber            FreshmanMilos Blagojevic*#      FreshmanRomain Massaro          FreshmanHenner Nehles           FreshmanAviram Salomon*#        Sophomore
* Also a 2003 ITA Scholar-Athlete
# Also a 2003 MWC Scholar-Athlete