Jan. 29, 2012

Box Score

LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - A day after being shut out by top-ranked USC, the 61st-ranked UNLV men's tennis team bounced back in a big way, getting its first win of the season by upsetting No. 45 South Florida 4-2 at Marks Stadium during the consolation round of the ITA Kickoff Weekend.

UNLV was forced to come back in the match after USF took the doubles point with victories on courts one and two. The Bulls actually took a 2-0 lead after picking up another quick point at the fourth singles position.

The Rebels, however, would not lose another match. Rene Ruegamer got his team on the board with a 6-3, 6-3 win over Wael Kilani at the top spot; Willie Sublette turned in the biggest victory of his young career, 6-2, 6-4, over Sebastian Hagn at No. 6; Tamas Batyi closed out Federico Sabogal, 6-1, 7-5, at No. 2; and Alex Bull clinched the team win, 7-6, 6-4 over Juan Carlos Acuna on court three. The remaining match at No. 5 was suspended in the third set.

"We showed unbelievable energy today throughout the match," said UNLV head coach Owen Hambrook. "After losing the doubles point, a number of guys found a way to win against a really good team. I'm proud of the way we responded after getting down and it was a really nice way to end the trip."

Next up, UNLV will come home for a doubleheader vs. New Mexico State and Loyola Marymount on Friday. Action at the Fertitta Tennis Complex begins with doubles play at 10 a.m. Admission to all UNLV tennis matches is free of charge.

UNLV Men's Tennis Match ResultsITA Kickoff Weekend - Consolation#61 UNLV 4, #45 SOUTH FLORIDA 2Jan. 29, 2012, at Los Angeles (Marks Stadium)
Singles competition 1. Rene Ruegamer (UNLV) def. Wael Kilani (USF) 6-3, 6-32. Tamas Batyi (UNLV) def. Federica Sabogal (USF) 6-1, 7-53. Alex Bull (UNLV) def. Juan Carlos Acuna (USF) 7-6, 6-44. Tannick Yoshizawa (USF) def. Johannes Markel (UNLV) 6-0, 6-05. Brian Kenyon (UNLV) vs. Lucas Salcedo (USF) 6-2, 3-6, 2-5 DNF6. Willie Sublette (UNLV) def. Sebastian Hagn (USF) 6-2, 6-4
Doubles competition 1. Wael Kilani/Federica Sabogal (USF) def. Alex Bull/Rene Ruegamer (UNLV) 8-32. #60 Oliver Pramming/Tannick Yoshizawa (USF) def. Johannes Markel/Bernard Schoeman (UNLV) 8-53. Tamas Batyi/Willie Sublette (UNLV) vs. Lucas Salcedo/Sebastian Hagn (USF) 6-7 DNF
Order of finish: Doubles (1,2); Singles (4,1,6,2,3)