April 12, 2008

PROVO, Utah - Playing a neutral-site Mountain West Conference matchup, the UNLV men's tennis team built a 3-2 lead but could not close out Utah and ultimately fell 4-3 late Friday night at BYU's Indoor Tennis Courts.

The Rebels fell to 9-11 overall and 2-3 in league play while Utah improved to 12-9 and a surprising 4-1 in the MWC.

Playing a staggered schedule after being forced indoors, UNLV began by winning two of three doubles matches for one team point. While the Utes took the the top spot, Luca Barlocchi and Wesley Burrows combined for an 8-6 win at No. 2 and Bryan Miller and Rony Yeghnazary won by the same score on court two.

In singles play, the Rebels struck first as Burrows raced past Othman Zerouali-Ouariti 6-2, 6-2. Utah got its first point when Zach Ganger upset No. 85 Wronski 7-5, 7-6 at the top of the lineup. The Utes tied it with a win at No. 4 but then Barlocchi closed out Miron Mann 7-6, 6-4 at No. 3 to make it 3-2. However, Utah proved too strong at the bottom of the lineup as it won matches at both No. 5 and No. 6 in straight sets to earn the win.

UNLV closes out the regular season today by facing San Diego State in Provo.

UNLV MEN'S TENNIS RESULTSUTAH 4, UNLV 3At BYU Indoor Tennis Courts, Provo, UT

DOUBLES -- (UNLV EARNS ONE TEAM POINT)1. Ganger/Mann (UU) def. Wronski/Campbell (UNLV) 8-42. Barlocchi/Burrows (UNLV) def. Taylor/Zerouali-Ouariti (UU) 8-63. Miller/Yeghnazary (UNLV) def. Allin/Hancock (UU) 8-6Order of Finish: 1,3,2*


SINGLES -- (UTAH EARNS FOUR TEAM POINTS)1. Zach Ganger (UU) def. #85 Elliot Wronski (UNLV) 7-5, 7-62. Wesley Burrows (UNLV) def. Othman Zerouali-Ouariti (UU) 6-2, 6-23. Luca Barlocchi (UNLV) def. Miron Mann (UU) 7-6, 6-44. Wes Hancock (UU) def. David Campbell (UNLV) 4-6, 6-4, 6-05. Timmy Allin (UU) def. Rony Yeghnazary (UNLV) 6-2, 6-46. John Taylor (UU) def. Bryan Miller (UNLV) 6-2, 6-4Order of Finish: 2,1,4,3,5,6**Clinching match