Jan. 27, 2006

IRVINE, Calif. - The 59th-ranked UNLV men's tennis team toughed out a 4-3 road victory over UC Irvine Friday at Anteater Stadium in what was the Rebels' dual-season debut.

UNLV started the day by taking two of three doubles matches for one team point and then split six matches for the team victory.

At the top singles spot, Las Vegas native Joel Kielbowicz eased by Andrei Radulescu 6-3, 6-4. However, it was two newcomers that clinched the win for the visitors.

First, Auburn transfer Brett Hunter won on court three 6-2, 7-6 over Mustafa Ulukan, then freshman Elliot Wronski won his first collegiate match, 7-5, 4-6, 6-2, over Trevor Dobson at the fifth position.

"Today was a good team effort," UNLV head coach Owen Hambrook said. "This was a tough road win over a solid team. It's good to start out 1-0 and now we just have to keep improving because we have a big test tomorrow." The Rebels play at No. 37 San Diego on Saturday beginning at 12:30 p.m..

UNLV MEN'S TENNIS RESULTS
#59 UNLV 4, UC IRVINE 3
At Anteater Stadium, Irvine, CA
DOUBLES: (UNLV EARNS ONE TEAM POINT)1. Kielbowicz/Campbell (UNLV) def. Ulukan/Dobson (UCI) 8-62. Ellis/Radulescu (UCI) def. Hooper/Hunter (UNLV) 8-63. Massaro/Wesley Burrows (UNLV) def.Hesham Kenawy/Douglas Taylor (UCI) 8-2
SINGLES: (UNLV EARNS THREE TEAM POINTS)1. Joel Kielbowicz (UNLV) def. Andrei Radulescu (UCI) 6-3, 6-42. Victor Lamm (UCI) def. Romain Massaro (UNLV) 4-6, 6-2, 6-23. Brett Hunter (UNLV) def. Mustafa Ulukan (UCI) 6-2, 7-64. Aaron Ellis (UCI) def. David Campbell (UNLV) 6-3, 6-35. Elliot Wronski (UNLV) def. Trevor Dobson (UCI) 7-5, 4-6, 6-26. Alex Sundling (UCI) def. Jonathan Hooper (UNLV) 6-4, 3-6, 6-3