Jan. 13, 2005

LAS VEGAS - Three UNLV players were included in the first edition of the Intercollegiate Tennis Association National Rankings, which were released this week.

The men's team continues to boast two ranked singles players. Senior Henner Nehles moved up eight spots to a career-high 38th after a 9-3 fall slate that included winning the ITA Mountain Region championship in October.

Despite an 8-3 fall record, fellow-senior Aviram Salomon tumbled 33 spots to No. 100. The men's squad will enter the dual-match season unranked. The Rebels travel to Boise, Idaho, for the Mountain Region Team Playoff on Jan. 22.

After turning in the most impressive debut semester in school history, UNLV freshman sensation Elena Gantcheva earned her first ranking at No. 21. The native of Bulgaria finished fall tournament play 14-1 overall, including 6-0 vs. ranked opponents. Senior Gyorgyi Zsiros, who had earned a career-high ranking of 72 in the preseason, is now unranked after a 1-4 fall record.

As a team, the Lady Rebels are ranked 46th to start the season. This weekend the program hosts the Freeman Memorial Tournament, which features individual competition, and will open dual-match play on Jan. 28 by hosting New Mexico State.