LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) – The UNLV men's tennis team opened its home schedule with a 4-0 victory over UC Riverside on a cool Friday at the Fertitta Tennis Complex.
 
The Rebels improved to 2-1 while the Highlanders fell to 0-6 on the young season.
 
The hosts took a 1-0 lead by winning the first two completed doubles matches. Ilia Snitari and Arda Karakas won 6-3 over Lucas Suarez and Lucas Msyca at the top spot to clinch the point after Illia Maksymchuk and Michael Kouame blanked Owen Pearson and Ivaylo Simeonov on court two.
 
In singles, All-American Snitari, ranked 35th, posted a 6-4, 6-2 win over Simeonov at the top spot. Maksymchuk took care of Suarez, 6-2, 6-1, at No. 2 and Kouame downed Mzyca, 6-0, 6-2, at the third position.
 
REBEL OF THE MATCH: Snitari improved to 14-1 in singles during his sophomore campaign and 22-1 as a Rebel.
 
UP NEXT: UNLV will host New Mexico State Saturday starting with doubles play at 10 a.m. Admission to all matches at Fertitta Tennis Complex is free of charge.
 
Men's Tennis Match Results
UNLV 4, UC RIVERSIDE 0
Jan. 23, 2026, at Las Vegas, NV
(Fertitta Tennis Complex)

Singles competition
1. #35 Ilia Snitari (UNLVMT) def. Ivaylo Simeonov (UCRM) 6-4, 6-2
2. Illia Maksymchuk (UNLVMT) def. Lucas Suarez (UCRM) 6-2, 6-1
3. Michael Kouame (UNLVMT) def. Lucas Mszyca (UCRM) 6-0, 6-2
4. Vitaliy Horovoy (UNLVMT) vs. Andrew Lavine (UCRM) 6-3, 1-1, unfinished
5. Joel Gibson (UNLVMT) vs. Owen Pearson (UCRM) 6-1, 5-3, unfinished
6. Roberto Hernandez (UNLVMT) vs. Michael Chang (UCRM) 6-0, 1-6, 1-1, unfinished
 
Doubles competition
1. Ilia Snitari/Arda Karakas (UNLVMT) def. Lucas Suarez/Lucas Mszyca (UCRM) 6-3
2. Illia Maksymchuk/Michael Kouame (UNLVMT) def. Owen Pearson/Ivaylo Simeonov (UCRM) 6-0
3. Vitaliy Horovoy/Joel Gibson (UNLVMT) vs. Michael Chang/Jovan Pedroza (UCRM) 3-4, unfinished
 
Match Notes:
Order of finish: Doubles (2,1); Singles (2,1,3)