With two of the top players in school history returning and one of the once-storied tennis program's best-recruiting classes hitting campus in January, the 2005 UNLV men's team should continue its climb back up the national ladder of both rankings and respect.

After bottoming out two years ago, the Rebels got a new head coach in Owen Hambrook and went on to post a stunning 10-win improvement using essentially the same roster. Now, add Hambrook's first real recruits to the mix and a serious run at the Mountain West Conference championship seems in order.

"We have a great combination of very experienced and very young but talented players," Hambrook says. "And we have the numbers this year. This team has a lot of depth -- maybe the most ever here -- that we'll be able to tap into on any given day. I think we've brought in an outstanding recruiting class. The three young guys will only improve over time but will make significant contributions right now."

After surprising folks around the league by earning a No. 2 seed at last year's league get-together, Hambrook says he likes his team's chances in both the regular season and come tournament time. "I'm quietly optimistic about contending for the MWC title. We would have had a shot at winning it last year if our best player had not gotten hurt. It's almost like we have unfinished business in the league."

Having served notice that it's back in the game conference-wise, UNLV will have plenty of chances to get back on the national radar despite not being ranked in the preseason. "Our goals are to win the conference, go unbeaten at home and go to the NCAA tournament," says Hambrook. "But none of that will be achieved without reaching our individual performance goals day-in and day-out in practice. If we focus on our performance point by point, good things will happen this year."

SINGLES

Returning as the team's No. 1 player for the third straight season, Henner Nehles (16-7 overall in 2003-04) quickly answered any questions in the fall about whether his big gains as a junior were a fluke. The big German turned in a superb 9-3 tournament record, including becoming his school's first ITA Regional singles champion and punching a ticket to November's National Indoor Championships in Michigan.

Ranked a career-high 38th heading into spring, suffice it to say that the Rebel lineup is led by a legitimate MWC Conference Player of the Year candidate. "Henner once again will be playing No. 1 for us," Hambrook says. "He continues to move up the rankings and we expect big things from him this year. He's shown he is capable of beating anyone in the country after defeating an NCAA finalist last year (Tulane's Michael Kogan). His forehand is developing into a weapon, his serve has gotten a lot better and his is in the best shape of his career. What makes him even more dangerous is that he's a very mature competitor -- nothing fazes Henner."

Senior leadership oozes from the second singles spot as Aviram Salomon (16-8) returns for what looks to be his third straight All-MWC campaign. The former league freshman of the year has lived up to his early promise and remains a steady influence on the rest of the lineup. Likewise, his 8-3 fall record matched his preseason and career-high ranking of 67th. "Unfortunately this is Avi's senior year," says his coach. "He is just a dream team member -- the ultimate fighter with incredible mental toughness. I always say if the match is on the line, he is who you want out there."

Moving up a spot in the lineup for the second straight year is Joel Kielbowicz (13-6) who was emblematic of his team's turnaround in 2004 with a nine-win improvement in singles play after rededicating himself to life on the courts. "Joel is definitely the most improved player on this team once again and he will be playing in the top half of the lineup. He just gets better and better. He is an unbelievable local recruit -- maybe the best ever here."

The bottom half of the singles lineup will be filled by a combination of a returning veteran and the talented trio of freshman recruits who enrolled in time for the semester beginning in January. Starting the year at No. 4 will be junior Romain Massaro (17-10) who has shown flashes of star power but needs to become more consistent this spring. "Romain is a very solid baseliner," says Hambrook. "If he can be a little more aggressive on the court, he is capable of taking it to the next level."

The first of the recruits is Aussie import David Campbell. "We are excited to get a player like David. He chose UNLV over some highly ranked programs. He was one of the top juniors in Australia and will definitely make a big contribution in singles and doubles this year."

New Zealand native Jonathan Hooper will also push for time. "Jonathan is one of our new guys with a lot of potential. He brings a big serve and big forehand. I can only see him getting better and better here at UNLV. I expect him to see a lot of time in the lineup immediately."

The final newcomer is South African Martin Redelinghuys. "Martin was one of the top juniors from South Africa," Hambrook says. "He had a lot of choices for schools and we were lucky to get him. He will make a contribution now while at the same time getting used to the college game and its physical rigors."

Former transfer Sean Hubbard did not play a year ago but proved in the fall that he is a capable reserve. "Sean is a local kid who has made significant improvement and has seen some playing time and will add to our depth."

Junior Milos Blagojevic (1-2) has gained significant experience and will look for more time on the court. "Milos has been working hard and has gotten into pretty good shape. He has definitely made some improvements in his game."

UNLV's other team member is Lew DeLeon. The Las Vegas native and former top local player transferred home after a season at Northern Arizona. He will sit out 2005 and have three seasons of eligibility remaining while being expected to take his place among the Rebels' starting lineup.

DOUBLES

Hambrook says the infusion of fresh talent will also positively affect UNLV's doubles results. "Our doubles lineup has made a big improvement and it had to because we were pretty weak in that aspect last year," he says. "All three of the new guys are very well coached in doubles and will be expected to make a big difference this season."

The top of the lineup should be a duo that turned in a perfect fall at 5-0, Nehles and Salomon, who went 7-2 a year ago in mainly tournament appearances. "They are playing really well together and I wouldn't be surprised to see them break into the rankings." Kielbowicz (10-7) will play at the second spot while welcoming a new partner, projected to be Campbell. Hambrook says Redelinghuys and Hooper could be the No. 3 duo but stresses the combos are not set in stone.

THE SCHEDULE

A big upgrade. That's the first impression one gets when perusing a list of UNLV's 2005 opponents. No less than nine of the teams on the schedule found a place in the ITA's preseason rankings. "This schedule gives us a lot of opportunities against ranked teams," says Hambrook. "It's a big step up in competition and we need to make the most of it."

After the tough assignment of opening at Boise State in the ITA Mountain Region Team Playoff, No. 2 UCLA hosts the Rebels with its perennially high-powered lineup to close out the month. The home schedule kicks off with NAU, Loyola Marymount and Weber State. The annual eight-team spring invitational is set for Feb. 11-13. Oklahoma comes in for the second straight season before Hawaii and always tough South Carolina travel to Fertitta. Ball State and Oklahoma State close the key homestand.

Hambrook's team will then get a rematch with Boise State as part of the Broncos' three-day spring invite. Senior Day comes early this season as UNLV oddly does not play a single home conference match. In fact, 22nd-ranked Arkansas will provide the final home opponent on March 22. UNLV tangles with BYU, Utah and homestanding San Diego State in one MWC swing and then heads up to Air Force to face the Falcons as well as dangerous New Mexico before returning to San Diego for the league tournament April 28-30.