LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) – The UNLV men's tennis team opened its 2019 dual-match season by holding on to down Portland 4-3 on a gorgeous Sunday afternoon at the Fertitta Tennis Complex.
 
The Rebels won all three doubles matches vs. the Pilots (1-3) to take a 1-0 lead. In singles, however, five of the six matches went to a third set and things were tied at 3 when freshman Tom Ciszewski finally finished off Leo Hibi, 6-1, 6-7, 6-2, on court six to clinch it during what was his first collegiate dual match.
 
NET NOTES: UNLV's new No. 1 player Olle Thestrup made his Rebel dual debut. The transfer from Auburn took the opening set but lost a tight battle to Sema Pankin, 3-6, 7-6, 6-2.
 
REBEL OF THE MATCH: Sophomore Clayton Alenik teamed with Eric Samuelsson for a 6-3 win at the top doubles position and then posted the only straight-setter of the day in singles, downing Issa Yoshida, 7-5, 7-6 on court five.
 
QUOTABLE: "Today was a battle. Portland gave us all we could handle. We were in control early and then let a couple of matches slip away. It was good to see some guys keep their composure and pull it out for us."
-UNLV Head Coach Owen Hambrook
 
NEXT FOR THE REBELS: UNLV hosts a doubleheader Friday vs. New Mexico State at 10 a.m. and Weber State at 2 p.m. Admission to all home matches is free of charge.
 
Tennis Match Results
UNLV 4, PORTLAND 3
Jan 27, 2019 at Las Vegas, NV
(Fertitta Tennis Complex)
 
 Singles competition 
1. Sema Pankin (PORT) def. Olle Thestrup (UNLV) 3-6, 7-6 (7-3), 6-2
2. Tom Hann (PORT) def. Eric Samuelsson (UNLV) 6-1, 5-7, 5-1, retired
3. Richard Solberg (UNLV) def. Nick Oberg (PORT) 6-3, 0-6, 6-2
4. Eleftherios Neos (PORT) def. Jordan Sauer (UNLV) 3-6, 6-4, 7-5
5. Clayton Alenik (UNLV) def. Issa Yoshida (PORT) 7-5, 7-6 (7-3)
6. Tom Ciszewski (UNLV) def. Leo Hibi (PORT) 6-1, 6-7 (4-7), 6-2
 
 Doubles competition 
1. Clayton Alenik/Eric Samuelsson (UNLV) def. Sema Pankin/Issa Yoshida (PORT) 6-3
2. Jordan Sauer/Olle Thestrup (UNLV) def. Tom Hann/Eleftherios Neos (PORT) 7-5
3. Richard Solberg/Zach Garner (UNLV) def. Nick Oberg/Leo Hibi (PORT) 6-2
 
Order of finish: Doubles (1,3,2); Singles (3,2,4,5,1,6)