Feb. 25, 2004

LAS VEGAS - The third annual UNLV Women's Tennis Spring Invitational kicks off Friday with eight teams, including five nationally ranked programs, competing at the Fertitta Tennis Complex this weekend.

"This is the deepest our field has ever been," Lady Rebel head coach Kevin Cory said. "We are excited about the opportunity to play some quality teams all weekend."

Squads from No. 14 Fresno State, No. 27 Tulane, No. 38 Oklahoma State, No. 63 Washington State, Kansas, Boston College and Northern Arizona will take on the host Lady Rebels in a bracket format culminating in Sunday's championship at noon on campus. UNLV (3-2) moved up one spot to No. 37 in the Intercollegiate Tennis Rankings, which were released Tuesday. The Lady Rebels, who have won 26 of their last 29 matches at home, including a 3-0 mark this season, will open play vs. Kansas at 2 p.m.

First through eighth place will be determined by playing four matches a day running concurrently at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and at 9 a.m. and noon on Sunday. Admission to all tournament matches is free.

Last year, 17th-ranked UNLV rallied past Oklahoma, 4-2, to take the title. In 2002, then-No. 6 Wake Forest downed the Lady Rebels 4-2 in a thrilling final.

2004 UNLV WOMEN'S TENNIS SPRING INVITATIONAL BRACKET
FRIDAY:10 a.m. Fresno State vs. Boston College10 a.m. Washington State vs. Oklahoma State
2 p.m.  Tulane vs. Northern Arizona2 p.m.  UNLV vs. Kansas
SATURDAY:10 a.m. WINNERS' BRACKET2 p.m.  LOSERS' BRACKET
SUNDAY:9 a.m.  TBD9 a.m.  TBD
Noon    TBDNoon    TBD