Feb. 20, 2008

LAS VEGAS - As the UNLV women's tennis team prepares to host three teams ranked ahead of it for a weekend of round-robin action, top Lady Rebel player Elena Gantcheva continues to climb the singles chart.

Gantcheva, 16-6 overall, moved up seven spots to No. 23 in the nation as the ITA Collegiate Rankings were released Wednesday. The senior standout has not lost a set in forging a 6-0 record in dual matches this season and needs just one more victory to become the third Lady Rebel in history to reach 100 in a career (99-32).

Gantcheva, who earned her highest singles ranking since standing 13th on Sept. 8, 2006, will have three shots at the milestone this weekend vs. top competition.

UNLV (6-1), which rose two spots this week to No. 38, will first take on No. 34 Texas A&M (4-1) on Friday. The Lady Rebels will play No. 14 Fresno State (3-2) on Saturday and then finish up with No. 32 Florida International (2-2) on Sunday.

All matches, weather permitting, begin with doubles play at 10 a.m. and admission to Fertitta Tennis Complex on campus is free of charge.

"It's always nice to see us moving up in the national rankings but this weekend we'll face a true test to see where we belong nationally," said UNLV head coach Kevin Cory. "We've been working hard getting ready for the challenge and we look forward to getting on the courts."