Box Score

WACO, Texas (UNLVRebels.com) - The fourth-seeded UNLV men's tennis team earned its first victory of the season in thrilling fashion Sunday, 4-3 over third-seeded Purdue in the consolation round of ITA Kick-Off Weekend played at Baylor.

Playing outdoors today at the Hurd Tennis Center, the Rebels improved to 1-1 while the Boilermakers of the Big Ten fell to 2-4 overall.

UNLV was impressive early, dominating doubles play with quick victories on courts two and three to quickly earn the team point. Moving to singles play, the Rebels won both straight-setters to take a 3-0 lead before Purdue rallied to tie it by winning a trio of three-set matches at the top half of the lineup. UNLV's Richard Solberg finally ended things with a win on court five.

REBEL OF THE MATCH: Solberg came back to grab the first set in a tiebreaker and then took the deciding third set to win it for his team over Athell Bennett, 7-6 (5), 3-6, 6-2.

STAT OF THE MATCH: A day after being shut out in doubles by No. 11 Baylor, the Rebels rolled in the early going, taking the two completed matches by a combined score of 12-1 and grabbing the momentum.

QUOTABLE: "The team came out today with great energy and it paid off in doubles. After Purdue tied it up, all eyes were on Richard's court. He had been in that position before and played a really solid third set to clinch it for us."

-UNLV head coach Owen Hambrook

NEXT FOR THE REBELS: UNLV opens its home schedule with a doubleheader Friday at the Fertitta Tennis Complex. The Rebels host Loyola Marymount at 10 a.m. and UC Riverside in the afternoon. Admission to all matches is free of charge.

Men's Tennis Match ResultsITA Kick-Off Weekend Consolation RoundUNLV 4, PURDUE 3Jan. 28, 2018, at Waco, Texas(Hurd Tennis Center)
Singles competition1. Gergley Madarasz (PUR) def. Alexandr Cozbinov (UNLV) 6-2, 3-6, 6-22. Stephan Koenigsfest (PUR) def. Ruben Alberts (UNLV) 6-2, 3-6, 6-43. Javier Rodriguez (PUR) def. Courtney Lock (UNLV) 3-6, 6-3, 6-14. Eric Samuelsson (UNLV) def. Maksymillan Raupuk (PUR) 6-3, 6-35. Richard Solberg (UNLV) def. Athell Bennett (PUR) 7-6 (7-5), 3-6, 6-26. Jordan Sauer (UNLV) def. Dominik Sochurek (PUR) 6-3, 7-5
Doubles competition1. Gergley Madarasz/Athell Bennett (PUR) vs. Alexandr Cozbinov/Courtney Lock (UNLV) 3-3 DNF2. Ruben Alberts/Jordan Sauer (UNLV) def. Stephan Koenigsfest/Javier Rodriguez (PUR) 6-13. Eric Samuelsson/Clayton Alenik (UNLV) def. Renan Hanayama/Ali Mooraj (PUR) 6-0
Order of finish: Doubles (3,2); Singles (4,6,1,2,3,5)