After enjoying an unprecedented 12 years under the same head coach, the UNLV men's tennis program moves into 2004 with a new leader patrolling the sidelines along with some former faces returning to the roster.
Four-year Lady Rebel assistant Owen Hambrook, who was a part of the women's league and national success while serving under Kevin Cory, was named interim head coach for the men's team on July 30, 2003.
A former ITA regional assistant coach of the year, Hambrook has pushed head-first into the challenge of restoring Rebel tennis to its former lofty position. His first order of business this spring is to blend a mix of young returnees with a large collection of locals now on board. After dressing just six players a year ago, Hambrook's roster is at 11 strong - the biggest men's group since 1999 - with no less than seven of those hailing from Las Vegas-area high schools.
With only one scholarship senior on the lineup card, the team will once again tilt toward youth, but will be aided by the stability of five players who were part of the starting six a year ago.
"Heading into the year we are still very young but there is no question that we have some talent back," says Hambrook. "We are in a rebuilding mode but I think the biggest thing this year is the team chemistry has changed. This is the best group of players I have ever coached. If we keep that chemistry going we'll have a successful season."
SINGLES
Top-heavy in talent, the 2004 singles lineup will look a lot like last year with a returning trio of dangerous players.
Mountain West Conference Player of the Year candidate Henner Nehles (7-5 overall in 2003) is the undisputed leader at No.1.
A first-team all-league selection, the big German joined the Rebel lineup in February and proceeded to win five of his first six matches, including downing a ranked player at the HEB Team Tournament en route to MWC player of the week honors. His eventual 5-5 mark at the No. 1 spot hinted at a bright future while also proving the adjustment period to the college game was still in progress.
A 4-2 record this past fall included a trip to the quarterfinals of the ITA Regional and offered further evidence of Nehles' growing ability to be a regional, and perhaps national, force. "Henner Nehles is a great team leader," says Hambrook. "With his size and athletic ability, he has shown he can beat anyone he faces when his game is on. We expect him to break into the rankings this season."
Starting the spring at No. 2 is the "veteran" of the team - junior Aviram Salomon (12-11). The only player on the roster even in double digits for career victories with a 30-24 overall mark, Salomon is a former Israeli soldier who brings a spark to the team through tenacity to the court. The former MWC Freshman of the Year earned his first all-league honor a year ago by dominating at the third singles spot. His 8-7 mark in dual matches included a 7-1 total on Court Three to go with a 6-3 record overall vs. players from Mountain West schools. His 4-2 fall record showed Salomon may be ready to break out.
"Avi Salomon is the guy you want in there when the match is on the line," says Hambrook. "He just keeps fighting until he wears his opponents down. He will beat some good players this year."
Rounding out the top half of the lineup is sophomore Romain "Go-Go" Massaro (5-8). The Frenchman, who joined the Rebels in January of 2003, served notice of great improvement by rolling through the fall tournaments and building an 8-1 mark.
"Romain Massaro showed in the fall that he has really matured as a tennis player," says Hambrook. "He is a great match player that is becoming very good under pressure. He will be a big key to our success this spring."
Projected at No. 4 is another returnee, local product Joel Kielbowicz (4-12). Although winning only a quarter of his matches during his first year on the team, Kielbowicz looks to be a real factor this spring.
"Joel Kielbowicz is easily the most improved player on the team," says Hambrook. "He has not yet realized his full potential but is working hard to get there."
Another Las Vegas native will suit up for the team at the fifth position. David DiMartino Jr. is a Bishop Gorman High School graduate who finally gets to suit up for the Rebels for one season after transferring from Saddleback Junior College.
"David DiMartino is a very welcome addition to our team," says his new coach. "I am glad that we finally have him in our lineup and foresee him only getting better and better during the year."
Starting the spring at the sixth position is a former Rebel who returned to the program after two seasons off, Marko Blagojevic. Now a junior in eligibility, Blagojevic played two years ago at UNLV and now looks to get back in the swing as part of the starting lineup.
"Marko Blagojevic was in the program a few years ago so he has college experience," Hambrook says. "He had a solid fall (5-3) and we are expecting him to be a solid six this year."
Boasting real depth for the first time in years, a pair of Seans from the Las Vegas area may see some time.
Cowley County Community College transfer Sean Margulis went 1-2 in the fall and could be the first off the bench for the Rebels while Sean Hubbard originally played at Division II Southern Colorado and will work toward learning the game on this level.
The fifth and final letterwinner from a year ago to return to the team is Milos Blagojevic (2-19), the younger brother of Marko. Milos was thrown into the fire as a freshman and is called the ultimate team player by his coach.
"Milos is one the most unselfish players I have ever coached and he is very important in the positive team chemistry we have this year."
Derek Douglas is another former Rebel to make it back to the Fertitta Tennis Complex. A member of the 2000 team, Douglas looks to get his first taste of match competition as a senior reserve.
The final member of the squad is a freshman out of Green Valley High School, John Fayeghi, who is expected to redshirt.
DOUBLES
The doubles lineup is a work in progress as far as who will play with whom. However, look for Nehles (3-8 in doubles in 2003) to remain at No. 1 but welcome a new partner in the much-improved Kielbowicz (3-10).
The second position should be manned by Salomon (3-10) and Massaro (3-10) with DiMartino and Marko Blagojevic initially forming the final team.
"To be competitive this year, our doubles will have to have some success at every position," says Hambrook. "We have doubles players, we just have to find partnerships that compliment each other."
THE SCHEDULE
UNLV starts the year with a tough trip to the Big Easy vs. two ranked opponents in Tulane and New Orleans. However, an eight-match homestand follows.
April 2 brings the opening of conference play with BYU, Utah and San Diego State all visiting Fertitta in a round-robin format. A trip to Albuquerque to face New Mexico and Air Force will cap the regular season.
San Diego is the site of this year's MWC Championship Tournament, a place where the Rebels will look to get back into the mix after not having won a league title since 1996 when they were members of the Big West Conference.
Hambrook says the potential is there to contend: "I don't think there is one team that really stands out in the conference. A lot of us are even. Barring injuries, I think we'll be competitive."
