May 17, 2007

LAS VEGAS - UNLV sophomore standout Elliot Wronski will play in his first Division I Men's Tennis Singles Championship when the tournament begins on Wednesday, the NCAA announced.

Wronski, a native of Cheltenham, England, was originally the No. 2 alternate for the 64-player main draw, which will be conducted May 23-28 at Dan Magill Tennis Complex in Athens, Ga., hosted by the University of Georgia, following the conclusion of the team championship.

Wronski (19-12) is ranked No. 60 in the nation and earlier this week was named the Mountain Region Player to Watch. He has seven wins over ranked opponents in 2007. He will learn his first-round opponent when the draw is released on Tuesday.

All-time, seven Rebels have competed at the final event of the college season with some spectacular results. Luke Smith went to two tournaments and, as a senior in 1997, rolled through the field to win the school's first tennis national championship. He then teamed with Tim Blenkiron a few hours later to win the doubles title as well.

Two-time All-American Roger Pettersson holds the school record of qualifying for the most such tournaments with three (1994-96). Overall, UNLV men boast a 12-10 record all-time in singles play. Below is the complete list of Rebels and their records at the NCAA Singles Championship.

UNLV IN THE NCAA DIV. I MEN'S TENNIS SINGLES CHAMPIONSHIPPLAYER            YEAR(S)        RECORDElliot Wronski    2007           TBDHenner Nehles     2004, `05      Withdrew, 1-1Thomas Schneiter  2002           2-1Nenad Zivkovic    2001           WithdrewAsaf Tishler      1998, '99      0-2Luke Smith        1996, '97      6-1 (National Champion)Roger Pettersson  1994, '95, '96 0-3Scott Warner      1986, '87      3-2TOTAL             14             12-10