The UNLV Rebels tennis team showcased their prowess on the court, with players combining for an impressive 8-0 record in singles and doubles during the opening round of the Jolene Watanabe Classic at the Fertitta Tennis Complex on campus.

Unleashing the Rebels' Potential on the Court

Cindy Hu Leads the Charge

Cindy Hu, a standout player for the Rebels, showcased her resilience and skill on the court. In the top flight, she battled back from a 2-6 deficit to claim a hard-fought 6-4, 7-5 victory over Cecelia Costa of Long Beach State. Hu's performance set the tone for the Rebels' dominance in the opening round.Hu's success extended to the doubles court, where she and her partner, Coco Zhao, used a tiebreaker to defeat the Gonzaga duo of Emily Robertson and Safien Boulonois, 7-6 (2), to advance in the doubles competition.

Rebels' Depth Shines Through

The Rebels' depth was on full display, with several other players contributing to the team's impressive performance. Coco Zhao cruised to a 6-4, 6-0 victory over Ana Gutierrez of Utah Tech, while Nikol Mircheva rallied from a 1-6 deficit to defeat Thea Jagare of Long Beach State, 6-1, 6-4.In the third flight, Kaho Oyama showcased her resilience, coming back from a 2-6 deficit to defeat Brooke Bittner of Gonzaga, 6-4, 6-4. Sofiia Sokolvak and Sabrina Novruzova also secured victories for the Rebels, with Sokolvak defeating Raquel Roshak of Utah Tech, 6-1, 6-3, and Novruzova dominating Savannah Johnson of Gonzaga, 6-2, 6-1.

Doubles Dominance

The Rebels' success extended to the doubles competition, where the team showcased their coordination and teamwork. Nikol Mircheva and Kaho Oyama teamed up to defeat Nutsa Tsintsadze and Nicole Kells of Utah Tech, 6-1, further solidifying the Rebels' dominance on the day.The Jolene Watanabe Classic, an annual fall invitational, was renamed to honor the legacy of former UNLV great Jolene Watanabe, who played a pivotal role in elevating the UNLV women's tennis program three decades ago. Watanabe's impact on the sport and the university is celebrated through this event, which continues to showcase the talent and determination of the current Rebels squad.