Bulldogs eliminate Rebels in semifinals

      The UNLV men's tennis team can't get past the regional semifinals.
      Fresno State defeated UNLV 4-2 Saturday in the semifinals of the NCAA Region VII Championships at the Fertitta Tennis Complex.
      It was the third straight year the Rebels have lost an NCAA regional semifinal.
      Fresno State will meet Southern California, a 4-3 winner over Brigham Young in the other semifinal, in the championship match today at noon.
      Fresno, ranked No. 31, is 16-11, and No. 13 USC is 18-5.
      The tournament winner advances to the NCAA Championships May 17-25 at UCLA.
      UNLV and USC beat Fresno State 4-3 during the regular season. The Trojans' victory ended the Bulldogs' 34-match home winning streak.
      Fresno State coach Peter Smith called the regional tournament the Bulldogs' "Second Chance Weekend."
      "We lost to USC when we were serving for the match. All we wanted was a second chance," Smith said. "We got one today, and, hopefully, we'll get one tomorrow."
      Down 2-0, the Rebels tied the match when senior Luke Smith, ranked 65th, defeated 36th-ranked Fredrik Giers 6-3, 7-6 at No. 1 singles and freshman Yoav Loewenstein beat Andy Scorteanu, 1-6, 6-1, 6-2.
      But the Bulldogs held on to take two three-setters at No. 3 and No. 4 to advance.
      The Bulldogs' Erni Ghidirmic, a junior-college transfer from College of the Desert in Palm Desert, Calif., beat Julius Pohjola 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 at No. 3 singles.
      Bulldogs sophomore Kelly Gullett topped senior Tim Blenkiron at No. 4 singles, 2-6, 7-6, 6-4.
      "Gullett was down 6-2, 4-2," Smith said. "Today he found a way to win it. That was really the difference for us. With two very close teams, the difference isn't much."
      UNLV coach Larry Easley said the Bulldogs' depth in doubles and at the lower singles spots was the difference.
      "My guys competed hard. As a coach, that is all you can expect," Easley said. "They are a little too strong for us."
      The Rebels, ranked 23rd, finished the season 20-7, their most victories since 1983.
      "It was a good season," Easley said. "It was a lot better than I thought we could do."