Tuesday, February 25, 2003
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Tournament to be gauge for women's tennis team

18th-ranked UNLV eager to test new lineup in Spring Invitational

By JEFF WOLLARD
REVIEW-JOURNAL

The UNLV women's tennis team suffered a big loss last month when sophomore standout Leentjie Oosthuizen called from South Africa to say she was leaving the program.

The news stunned coach Kevin Cory, who scrambled to discover what kind of a lineup he would have for the spring dual-match season. This weekend, he'll get at least part of his answer.

Cory's 18th-ranked squad will play host to several quality teams in the UNLV Spring Invitational beginning Friday at Fertitta Tennis Complex. Joining the Rebels will be No. 47 Oklahoma, No. 65 New Mexico, No. 67 Loyola-Marymount, Cal State Northridge, Southwest Missouri State, Northern Arizona and Montana State.

Though UNLV's lineup isn't as strong as Cory had hoped, his squad still appears capable of winning most of its matches. In fact, Cory believes the Rebels have a good shot at winning this weekend's tournament.

"I'll be very disappointed if we don't win," he said. "We're going in thinking we should win it. I still feel we're very competitive and we'll be tough to beat."

The Rebels could use some momentum. Though they swept unranked San Jose and UC Riverside over the weekend, a stunning 6-1 loss at then 23rd-ranked Fresno State two weeks ago demonstrated how tough the season could be.

Cory said the effect of Oosthuizen's absence was obvious. As a freshman, Oosthuizen battled injuries and still finished with a record of 8-4.

"We knew it was going to hurt us," he said. "It significantly hurts our doubles and it forces everyone to move up in singles."

It didn't help that Agnieszka Abram was playing with a bad wrist and Amy Hadziosmanovic had a pulled stomach muscle.

"It's been a pretty tragic coincidence with some of the other injuries we've had," Cory said.

But Abram is playing despite her injury and Hadziosmanovic has recovered, and the Rebels feel fortunate this weekend's opponents aren't quite as strong as in last year's tournament.

"We had three teams in the top 25 here last year, so it was pretty loaded," Cory said. "Last year that was an advantage to us. This year the team is not quite as strong, so it makes more sense to have a tournament like this."

Cory said this weekend will serve as an important gauge.

"It will tell us how much work we have in front of us," he said. "It's going to be interesting to see who steps up and who takes over the leadership role. I think we've got several capable of that."

Sophomore Tracie Chong did it for the Rebels last month by winning the consolation championship at the UNLV Kickoff Classic. With home-court advantage, Cory feels he has others capable of surprising the field.

"It's definitely an advantage to play at your own facility," he said. "You sleep in your own bed and play in a facility where you're comfortable."

If all goes well, UNLV will emerge from the weekend ready for its toughest stretch of the season. Next month features matches against No. 1 Duke, No. 5 Stanford and the start of Mountain West play. Though San Diego State has become the favored team in the MWC, Cory feels his squad is capable of winning a second consecutive crown.

"I think we'll end up somewhere in the high 20s or the lower 30s (in the rankings)," Cory said. "But I still think ... people will have to beat us to win the championship."

Tournament matches will begin at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 9 a.m. and noon Sunday. Admission is free.