May 22, 2008

TULSA, Okla. - Despite playing the final match of the night at the NCAA Championships, the best doubles team ever to suit up for the UNLV women's program was quickly ousted during the tournament's first round on Thursday at the Case Tennis Center.

Ranked 35th nationally, senior Elena Gantcheva and sophomore Kristina Nedeltcheva, both from Sofia, Bulgaria, were defeated by Cal's 12th-ranked pairing of Susie Babos and Stephanie Kusano by the score of 6-3, 6-2.

The Lady Rebel team, which was the first to play in two NCAA doubles events, finished the season at 23-10 but failed to match last spring's effort when it advanced to the Round of 16.

The loss officially ends the UNLV tennis season until fall and brings Gantcheva's record-breaking collegiate career to a close. The three-time Mounatin West Conference Player of the Year finished second all-time at UNLV with 79 doubles wins and ranked third in career winning percentage. After just two years, Nedeltcheva stands 10th at the school with 48 wins and currently stands first in career winning percentage.