April 23, 2011

LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - Photo Gallery

Citing their lack of preparation (and overall talent in the sport) UNLV head football coach Bobby Hauck and new Runnin' Rebel basketball head man Dave Rice dropped a 7-4 decision in exhibition play Saturday at the Fertitta Tennis Complex.

UNLV Hall of Famer and 1997 NCAA Doubles Champion Tim Blenkiron teamed with one of his pupils, 10-year-old Jack Hambrook -- who is also the son of Rebel men's team head coach Owen Hambrook -- to emerge victorious on a hot and sunny morning on campus. The event was staged between doubles and singles play in a dual match between UNLV and San Diego State, which the Rebels went on to win 5-2.

"I want to give a big thank you to coaches Hauck and Rice and to Tim for giving up their valuable time and having some fun out here today," said Owen Hambrook, who proposed the idea to help promote his annual Senior Day match, which honored the squad's lone senior, Mehdi Bouras. "We had a great crowd today and the team was glad to see all of the fans and staff come out. I know Jack had a great time getting to play. It was a really special day for everyone."

Not so special for the losing duo, it seems.

"At least my first loss at UNLV is now out of the way," said Rice, who was hired to run the Rebels on April 11 and said he has not played tennis since he left UNLV for Utah State eight years ago. "The fact that my highlight was acing a serve against a 10-year-old kind of tells you how my tennis game is right now. But seriously, this was a lot of fun and we want to show how important all of the sports are at UNLV, so we were happy to do it."

Hauck estimated he hadn't played tennis for 15 years before one quick tune-up session this week.

"This was great," Hauck told the media after the match. "And I can't wait to have Owen come out during a scrimmage to return kickoffs for us."

Despite the loss, Hauck did draw praise for a winning shot down the line off the former UNLV All-American.

"I know we won but that shot is going to stay with me for a while," joked Blenkiron, who runs the No Quit Tennis Academy in town. "I'm always here for the school whenever they need me and we all had a great time out here today."