Sixth-year UNLV head coach Kevin Cory has three well-crafted purple and silver Mountain West Conference championship trophies sitting on a shelf above his desk at the Fertitta Tennis Complex.

Impressive? Surely.

Attractive? Absolutely.

A constant reminder of where his teams have been while also serving as tangible motivation to get back there? You better believe it!

After a rebuilding year that saw his team slip from a national preseason ranking of 17 all the way down to 50 in just four months, Cory has assembled what looks to be his most talented roster. It certainly is the program's deepest lineup in history after losing just one starter from a year ago while adding a stellar recruiting class that features a freshman that may very well break every Lady Rebel record in existence.

"Last year we didn't have much room for error," Cory says. "However, it gave a very young team a chance to develop and we only lost one starter (Agnieszka Abram, 5-15 singles record) We brought in probably our best recruiting class, with two freshmen that will be in the top three, plus a nationally honored transfer. Now we'll have some flexibility in our lineup because this roster is packed with talent."

Though they'll start the year with a preseason slot of 48, Cory says UNLV has the talent and depth on hand to get back closer to the top 20 and make a charge.

"We are a legitimate top 30 team with potential to get into the top 20. Some things would have to fall our way but this is our best team on paper. The only big question is having three new players being thrown into a challenging Division One schedule. They are new but experienced and talented. How they respond will be the answer to how our season goes."

And also tell Cory whether he needs a bigger shelf.

SINGLES

After turning in the most impressive fall tournament season in school history, freshman Elena Gantcheva figures to be atop the lineup for as long as she's at UNLV. The native of Bulgaria sprinted to a 14-1 record that included beating five ranked players and winning eight matches at the prestigious Riviera All-American before bowing up because of exhaustion. Ranked 21st heading into spring, she now looks to become the third women's All-American in school history.

"Elena has proven to be one of the elite recruits in the nation," Cory says. "She is capable of winning the NCAA championship and I think will be a force in college tennis for years to come. She had by far the best fall of any player I've ever coached. I think she is capable of out-hitting anyone she plays. She doesn't like to lose and that just adds to her game. Elena is very confident and looks forward to playing the best players -- you have to have that kind of attitude to excel in a sport like this."

The next two spots in the lineup will be filled by a veteran leader and another rookie standout. Gyorgyi Zsiros (17-13 overall in 2003-04) spent last spring at the top of the lineup, produced a 14-9 record in duals and finished the year ranked 102. Rolling up the record books, she is a proven commodity who Cory says will lend vital experience to the top of the lineup.

"Gyorgyi has done exactly what we recruited her to do here. She's had three strong seasons and did a great job leading us at No. 1 last year. She has proven to be a true leader and is someone that will leave her mark in the UNLV record books."

Pushing Zsiros for the second spot will be rookie Sharon Marin, fresh from serving in the Israeli army, who got her feet wet in fall play. "Sharon could be one of the biggest surprises in college tennis. She had trouble with some injuries in the fall so people don't know what she is capable of. But we know during her career she will develop into one of the top players in the country."

The team's other senior starter looks entrenched in the fourth position. Feisty Anne Claire Ortiz-Luis (23-11) came in from D-II and led the team in wins, including posting a solid 16-6 at No. 3. She picked up right where she left off by upsetting 40th-ranked Carine Vermeulin of USC in the fall.

"Anne Claire has contributed in so many ways to this team on and off the court," Cory says. "She has a fighting spirit that will help our team challenge for a championship and I expect her senior season to be her best."

The order of the remainder of the lineup will be contested by two veterans and a newcomer. Still-improving Cindy Treber (19-12) was 15-6 at No. 4 as a sophomore and has proved to be a steady spring performer. "Cindy showed last year that she is money in the bank," Cory says. "She wares down her opponents and is probably the best athlete we have on our team. I look for a strong year from her."

Claire Smith (21-13) turned in a successful freshman campaign in 2004 and her 15-7 mark at No. 5 in the lineup looked to be a sign of good things to come. "Claire proved to be tough to beat as a freshman. She has tremendous athletic ability and her best tennis is ahead of her."

Transfer Linda Tempelfelde was the NAIA National Rookie of the Year at Oklahoma Christian College. She is the only January addition to the roster, which means she will need time to adjust to D-I tennis. "Getting a transfer of Linda's caliber makes for a very nice addition to our roster. She had a lot of options of where to continue her tennis so we are happy she chose UNLV. I think she can be a factor from day one."

Last year's lone spring semester edition was Mery Constanti (13-9) who emerged from her own adjustment period to win 10 of her last 14. "Mery came in and played the entire season at No. 6 and had a solid year. We expect good things from her as she matures."

Even more depth comes in the form of a freshman and senior. Estefania Serrano walked on to the team in the fall and has shown potential while Lisa Lester is a veteran former transfer who can be called upon in a pinch. "Stefanie is a very pleasant addition to our roster after having had an accomplished juniors career in this region. Lisa has done a good job providing depth and will enjoy closing her career playing on the strongest team in her career."

DOUBLES

With so much talent on campus, the 2005 UNLV doubles lineup will not beg for worthy candidates but only for the right combinations. That's a good problem to have for Cory, who knows the Lady Rebels need to win some doubles points to have a legitimate chance vs. a daunting schedule. "The only thing I can say for sure is that it will be the strongest we have been in that area since I came here."

While partners may change, the lineup will open with fabulous freshmen Gantcheva and Marin teaming at the top. Ortiz-Luis (13-17), who played No. 1 a year ago, will begin with a new partner in Tempelfelde at No. 2. Zsiros (18-10 overall in doubles in 2003-04) should move up into the top three of UNLV's career doubles list playing with Smith (19-12) down at No. 3. The duo was the team's most successful a year ago with a 17-6 record at the second position, good enough for All-MWC honors. Treber (14-11) and Constanti (14-9) offer quality experience.

THE SCHEDULE

The Lady Rebels surely won't get homesick this spring as for the first time in school history every non-conference match -- yes, all 14 of them -- will take place at the Fertitta Tennis Complex. In fact, Cory's squad doesn't leave Las Vegas until April 9 for the first of two conference road swings.

"We'll have multiple opportunities to face top-ranked players both as a team and individuals," says Cory. "Last year, our schedule fit the team we had. Now we have the toughest schedule ever but also I think a team to tackle it."

Also unprecedented is the quality of opponents, as at least nine teams are in the preseason top 75 with seven of those in the top 30. Add to that two more top teams as potential opponents as the annual Lady Rebel Classic boasts four more ranked teams. Notre Dame comes to town for the first time ever on March 10 followed by Penn, William & Mary, Indiana, Duke and top-ranked Stanford.

MWC play starts March 25 with San Diego State before matches vs. Air Force and UNM round out the weekend. After tussles on the Front Range and then at two Utah programs, the league tournament will be staged in San Diego.

"We feel we have something to prove after last year. We'll know where we are at by mid-March and know what we have to do to make a run at the legue title and get back into the NCAAs."