To borrow a memorable marketing slogan from the Runnin' Rebels of the early 1990s, "The Big Year is Here" for UNLV women's tennis in 2008.
Now, no one at the Fertitta Tennis Complex is predicting a national championship like Jerry Tarkanian's basketball bunch won in 1990. But with an enviable mix of proven veterans and high-level incoming talent, this spring's edition of the Lady Rebels just may make a run at besting 2002's record final ranking of 20th and the 1997 squad's best-ever in-season ranking of 14th.
Certainly, head coach Kevin Cory has filled out a lot of lineup sheets during his nine years in Las Vegas but none may compare -- from top to bottom -- to this year's roster.
Consider: an NCAA tournament team from a year ago that compiled its most combined ranked entries in history (four) returns all said players and adds what may eventually prove to be the deepest recruiting haul in UNLV history. Now sprinkle in a schedule chock full of ranked schools making their way to Southern Nevada and the Lady Rebs may just be cooking up something sweet this spring.
"We had three scholarships to fill but we had a very good recruiting year," says Cory. "We've got eight players we can count on to compete with the top teams in the country. I can't remember ever having this kind of depth here. We've got experience and veterans and young, talented newcomers. We have a schedule that will offer multiple opportunities at getting ranked wins. I'm extremely happy with where we're at and I think this is going to be an exciting spring around here."
THE LINEUP
The Bulgarian Bunch is back -- three outstanding women's tennis players in different years from each other but all hailing from Sofia, Bulgaria, and all suiting up in UNLV's starting lineup.
Leading the talented trio is Elena Gantcheva (19-8 in singles 2006-07), who is back for her fourth year as one of the elite players in college tennis. The two-time Mountain West Conference Player of the Year has her name blotted all over the school's record book, including standing third in career victories in singles (83) and eighth in doubles (54). Well known for her singles prowess, Gantcheva spent her junior season competing on what was unquestionably the best doubles team in program history. Ranked 30th heading into spring, Gantcheva will have plenty of opportunities to face top competitors in her final semester.
"What Elena has done for our program is just amazing. She's been an outstanding leader on and off the court and is strong academically. She struggled with injuries last year and for her it was a down year but for most people it would have been a great year. I know she worked hard in the off-season to get healthy and she regained her form in the fall. To sustain her dominance at the top spot for four years is unique. The idea of having to replace her isn't something I'm looking forward to."
The second Bulgarian is Kristina Nedeltcheva (20-12), who surged to an 18-4 record at the No. 2 singles position before cooling off as the year ended. Breaking into the national rankings as a rookie, she will look to book an even better season as a sophomore after sitting out the fall while healing a wrist injury.
"Kristina had an outstanding year and talent-wise she is one the best players in our program," says Cory. "She was ranked in the preseason in singles and doubles and she is healthy and ready to go."
Looking to take over the third spot in the lineup is talented Long Beach State transfer Katy Williams (18-14). Cory says he's happy the former Lady Rebel competitor is now playing for his side. "Katy possesses invaluable experience and has been a huge addition to our program. She's used to the college grind on this level, having played No. 2 on a top-25 program. Any time you add a transfer you never know what you're getting until they get here, but she's stepped right in as a leader on our team."
The third Bulgarian, Nikol Dimitrova (18-13), will look to use her two years of experience near the top of the lineup to help her excel as a junior. "Nikol had a slow start last year but definitely picked it up at the end of the spring. She has the talent to beat anyone on our team on any given day and we're looking for her to be one of our top players once again."
Challenging for the fourth spot will be the first of two freshmen, Anna Maskaljun, who has already enjoyed success as a Lady Rebel in the fall.
"Anna immediately becomes one of the most talented players we have. She's capable of hitting winners from anywhere on the court, has a big serve and a big forehand."
The other rookie is Adrienn Hidvegi out of Budapest, Hungary, who will compete with the squad's only other senior, Sharon Marin (2-0), for playing time. "Adrienn has been a tremendous addition," says Cory. "She plays hard every day and continues to improve."
Marin has been limited her entire career by a bad back, including only making two appearances as a junior. However, she is on schedule to be fully recovered from surgery last February. "Sharon is certainly one of our top players when healthy but has not played a competitive match in almost a year. Even when she was 60 percent, she was winning, so if we can get her back in the lineup, that's a big boost to our program."
Returning starter Alisa Razina (15-9) and walk-on freshman Dominque Aubry out of Las Vegas will offer even more depth. "Alisa was solid last year and is an excellent doubles player. She is a hard worker who will only get better."
Cory promised an upgrade in doubles play a year ago and his team certainly delivered.
"We did so well last year it's hard to say it but I think we're better in doubles this season - at least talent-wise on paper."
Leading the pack is Gantcheva and Nedeltcheva (24-4 in doubles) who went to the NCAA Round of 16 and earned a No. 5 national ranking in the fall. Williams and Maskaljun are expected to be a formidable pair in the second spot and team number three will be made up of a combination of Hidvegi, Dimitrova and Marin.
THE SCHEDULE
No less than a dozen of the 21 teams on the UNLV women's tennis 2008 schedule are ranked nationally, including three in the top 10.
"This may end up being the most difficult schedule in school history," Cory said. "We'll face some of the top teams in the nation but with the team we'll have this year, I think we're ready for the challenge."
The dual-match campaign gets underway by hosting Pacific on January 25. The Lady Rebels, who begin the year ranked 43rd, will make only one road trip during their non-conference schedule, visiting No. 2 Stanford and then Santa Clara in early February.
Coming to play at the Fertitta Tennis Complex on campus this season are programs such as No. 14 Fresno State, No. 18 Pepperdine, No. 20 Florida State, No. 26 Texas A&M, No. 31 Florida International and No. 35 Virginia Commonwealth.
The MWC schedule opens March 28 with a key trip to No. 28 BYU and Utah in Provo. The Lady Rebels then host No. 36 TCU, No. 67 New Mexico and No. 48 San Diego State. The squad will travel to San Diego for three neutral-site meetings to close the regular-season slate vs. Wyoming, Colorado State and Air Force. The conference championship will be held this spring on the campus of TCU from April 24-27.
"You have to look at BYU as the constant favorite in this league," says Cory. "I think TCU is even better than last year. We're improved. San Diego State is improved. New Mexico has some new players and Utah has a new coach. The conference is going to be very strong yet again."
