Oct. 22, 2007

LAS VEGAS - With dangerous wildfires raging through Southern California, officials canceled the final match of the ITA Western Regional, which was scheduled to be played Monday morning at the Barnes Tennis Center in San Diego.

Because of the unexpected development, UNLV senior standout Elena Gantcheva, seeded ninth in the tournament, was awarded the singles co-championship along with her would-be opponent, fourth-seeded Nadia Abdala of Arizona State.

It still stands as the first singles championship in UNLV women's tennis history at the annual ITA event. While she did not play in last fall's tourney, Gantcheva improved her career ITA Regional singles record to a stunning 14-2.

Both players in the final had already secured berths to the November 3-6 ITA National Intercollegiate Indoor Championships hosted by The Ohio State University at the Racquet Club of Columbus.

2007 ITA WEST REGION WOMEN'S TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPSBarnes Tennis Center, San Diego
SINGLES FINAL(9) Elena Gantcheva (UNLV) vs. (4) Nadia Abdala (ASU) canceled
Players finish as Co-Champions