UNLV's women's tennis team long has been a powerhouse in the Mountain West Conference, yet there has always been a well-known weakness in the lineup.
The Rebels never have been strong in doubles play, and league opponents have been quick to take advantage of that vulnerability.
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Not anymore.
Thanks to the top doubles team of junior Elena Gantcheva and freshman Kristina Nedeltcheva, UNLV coach Kevin Cory no longer worries about losing the doubles point to start each match.
"It's nice to have a team you can pretty much count on," said the eighth-year coach, who began thinking big after Gantcheva and Nedeltcheva teamed for an 8-2 victory over then-28th-ranked Dominika Dieskova and Anna Cecilia of Oregon on Jan. 12. "It's been a huge factor for us. In previous years, we've pretty much counted on losing the doubles point and we'd have to come back and win four in singles."
Indeed, each match begins with doubles competition, meaning the loser of the point begins in a hole. But Gantcheva and Nedeltcheva have helped the Rebels avoid that problem this season by winning 16 of their first 17 matches. As a result, they have catapulted to No. 35 in the national doubles rankings.
Cory attributed the success to good chemistry.
"They play very aggressively," he said. "They have contrasting styles. Elena is more of a counterpuncher and she's good at the baseline. Kristina is very aggressive and able to put the ball away. They complement each other very well."
It doesn't hurt that both women grew up playing together in Sofia, Bulgaria. Gantcheva said her long friendship with Nedeltcheva has contributed to the duo's success.
"I've known Kristina for a long time," Gantcheva said. "I've practiced with her since she was 8, so we know each other very well. I know which balls to leave for her and she knows which balls to leave for me."
Nedeltcheva said she never considered herself a doubles expert before this season.
"I think I finally found my partner," she said. "I'm surprised I'm playing so good with Elena as my doubles partner. The main thing is communication. It's important to communicate whether we win or lose."
The 54th-ranked Rebels are mostly winning. They opened league play at home last weekend with victories over Wyoming, Colorado State and Air Force, improving to 15-3 overall and 3-0 in the Mountain West. Gantcheva said she thinks the team's improved doubles play has been a key.
"It's very important," she said. "When we play a good doubles match, it pumps us up for singles. We have more confidence after a good doubles win."
With his squad looking ahead to matches against conference favorites Texas Christian and Brigham Young, Cory agreed doubles victories are essential.
"Especially against the better teams, it's important to get off to a good start," said Cory, whose team will play at 46th-ranked TCU on April 1 before facing 33rd-ranked BYU in San Diego on April 14.
The coach said he thinks UNLV's improved doubles play will help give the Rebels a chance.
"Those two teams are the teams to beat," said Cory, whose squad finished second in conference play last year. "But the playing field is much more level this year. I think several teams have a good shot at the title."
The Rebels have not won a league title since 2003, and they're not favored to win it this year. Even so, Cory said he likes his squad's chances.
"I think we're one of four or five teams in the running," he said. "If we can stay healthy and get off to a good start (in conference), we'll be a dangerous team."
