LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) – The UNLV women's tennis team lost its season opener, 4-1, to visiting Florida Atlantic on a beautiful Friday at the Fertitta Tennis Complex.

The Rebels were playing a dual match for the first time since Feb. 23, 2021, because of the pandemic.

The Owls, who opened their season last month vs. Miami, improved to 1-1 by taking the doubles point and holding on in singles play.

FAU won both completed doubles matches to grab a 1-0 lead. However, the Rebels won the first set on half of the singles courts to get back into the match before the Owls clinched the fourth point to end things.

REBEL OF THE MATCH: Izumi Asano posted her team's only point with a solid 6-4, 6-3 win over Natalia Boltinkskaya at the top of the lineup.

QUOTABLE: "It was a great feeling to be back out competing today. FAU brought in a solid team and played well."

-UNLV Head Coach Kevin Cory
 

UP NEXT: UNLV gets right back to the courts Saturday with a 10 a.m. match vs. Youngstown State. At this time, no fans are allowed at the Fertitta Tennis Complex.
 

Women's Tennis Match Results
FAU 4, UNLV 1
Feb. 5, 2021, at Las Vegas
(Fertitta Tennis Complex)

 Singles competition
1. Izumi Asano (UNLV) def. Boltinskaya, Natalia (FAU-W) 6-4, 6-3
2. Kudelova, Martina (FAU-W) def. Connie Li (UNLV) 6-1, 6-2
3. En-Pei Huang (UNLV) vs. Filip, Katerina (FAU-W) 6-3, 4-6, unfinished
4. Zita Kovacs (UNLV) vs. Kallmunzerova, Na (FAU-W) 7-5, 4-5, unfinished
5. Buzkova, Radka (FAU-W) def. Sam Smith (UNLV) 6-3, 7-5
6. Kimhi, May (FAU-W) def. Aura Fang (UNLV) 6-0, 6-4

 Doubles competition
1. Boltinskaya, Natalia/McLelland, Louie (FAU-W) def. #13 Izumi Asano/En-Pei Huang (UNLV) 6-1
2. Zita Kovacs/Olivia Elliott (UNLV) vs. Kimhi, May/Kudelova, Martina (FAU-W) 4-5, unfinished
3. Buzkova, Radka/Filip, Katerina (FAU-W) def. Sam Smith/Connie Li (UNLV) 6-2

Order of finish: Doubles (1,3); Singles (2,6,1,5)