Oct. 4, 2005

PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif. - UNLV super sophomore Elena Gantcheva racked up two more singles victories over ranked opponents Tuesday during the first day of qualifying at the 2005 Riviera/ITA Women's All-American Tennis Championships.

Gantcheva, ranked 24th nationally and seeded first in the qualifying draw, eased by 48th-ranked Elsa O'Riain of Harvard in the morning match, 6-2, 6-3, and then got by No. 65 Stephanie Kusano of Cal in the second round, 6-4, 6-0.

Gantcheva improved to 5-0 on the young season, with the last four wins coming over ranked players. The winner of her match on Wednesday vs. 122nd-ranked Cerna Zuzana of Baylor earns a spot in the main draw. Gantcheva, a native of Sofia, Bulgaria, is now 10-0 all-time at what is considered the premier hard-court event of the fall collegiate season after going 8-0 a year ago at the Riviera Tennis Club before having to withdraw because of injury.

"This was another great day for Elena and UNLV Tennis," head coach Kevin Cory said. "She had two wins over players from top national programs and is in good position to make it through to the main draw for the second straight season."

Gantcheva also won her first-round qualifying doubles match late Tuesday as she and partner Sharon Marin, who are ranked 36th as a duo, ousted Jackie Carleton and Melissa Mang of Duke, 8-6. There are two rounds of doubles action scheduled for Wednesday.