LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) – New UNLV men's tennis player Olle Thestrup survived a marathon three-setter on Sunday to win the singles title at the annual Larry Easley Memorial Classic being played at the Fertitta Tennis Complex on campus.
 
Enjoying perfect November weather, the senior transfer from Auburn outlasted UCLA sophomore Connor Rapp, 7-6 (5), 4-6, 7-6 (6) to take the Flight One crown in what was the final fall action for the Rebels.
 
"Olle beat four very good opponents to win the tournament," said UNLV head coach Owen Hambrook. "He was very composed and focused and it translated into a successful weekend for him, which was a great way to wrap up the fall."
 
The UCLA duo of Max Wild and Bryce Pereira won the doubles championship by downing fellow-Bruins Rapp and Lucas Bellamy.
 
Players from five other programs were competing in the individual event: UCLA, SMU, Arizona State, Loyola Marymount and Mesa Community College.
 
The annual event was renamed in 2010 in honor of UNLV Hall of Famer Larry Easley, who passed away from illness in 2005 at the age of 57. Easley coached the UNLV men's tennis team longer than anyone in history and produced sometimes-spectacular results over his dozen seasons from 1993-2002, including producing five All-Americans and two NCAA individual champions.
 
UNLV is next back in action January 27 when it hosts Portland to open the dual-match season.
 
2018 LARRY EASLEY MEMORIAL CLASSIC 
At Fertitta Tennis Complex, Las Vegas
 
FLIGHT ONE­ SINGLES FINAL
Olle Thestrup (UNLV) def. Connor Rapp (UCLA) 7-6, 4-6, 7-6
 
FLIGHT ONE SINGLES CONSOLATION FINAL
Michael Smith (SMU) def. Clayton Alenik (UNLV) 5-7, 1-0 retired
 
FLIGHT TWO SINGLES FINAL
Andrew Buhelos (SMU) def. Thomas Wright (ASU) by default
 
FLIGHT TWO SINGLES CONSOLATION FINAL
Yohann Prinsen (MCC) def. Avery Pennywell (SMU) 5-7, 7-6, 1-0 (10-8)
 
DOUBLES FINAL
Bryce Pereira/Wild (UCLA) def. Lucas Bellamy/Connor Rapp (UCLA) 8-6

ADDED SINGLES MATCHES
Zach Garner (UNLV) def. Blaise Fagan (SMU) 6-0, 6-2
Gardiner Perotti (SMU) def. Richard Solberg (UNLV) 6-2, 3-6, 1-0 (10-7)