UNLV Rebels Split Weekend at LaNelle Robson Tennis Center
Dust hangs in the Arizona air as the UNLV men's tennis team closes its first fall tournament with a mixed bag of results against elite opponents in Tucson.
The clay surface at the LaNelle Robson Tennis Center holds the heat of a three-day grind. UNLV men’s tennis stepped off the court on Sunday, leaving behind a weekend defined by sharp rallies and uneven outcomes. The Rebels split their singles engagements and secured a single doubles victory, marking the end of their opening fall action. It was a test of endurance against the depth of the conference, with players from San Diego State, New Mexico, NAU, New Mexico State, and the host Wildcats pushing every match to its breaking point.
According to GN sports/tennis (en-US), the team finished the event with a combined record of 4-6 in singles and 2-3 in doubles. The individual events saw flashes of brilliance, particularly in the early stages, before the fatigue of consecutive days took its toll. The atmosphere in Tucson was thick with competition, a physical and mental challenge for the Rebels as they navigated the bracket. Each point landed with a thud against the red dirt, a reminder of the high stakes in individual collegiate tennis.
Early Singles Show Strength
Friday provided a bright start. Lenny Haddad found his rhythm against New Mexico’s Connor Dils, taking the match 6-2, 2-6, 6-4. The final set was a tight affair, but Haddad held his nerve to close it out. Joel Gibson delivered a cleaner performance, dismantling NAU’s Manolo Baldini with a 6-2, 6-3 victory. These wins set a high standard for the weekend, showing that the Rebels could compete with the best in the region. The confidence from these early matches carried into the subsequent days, even as the opponents grew tougher.
However, the weekend was not without setbacks. Samuel Pohl fell to NAU’s Vincent Vohl in a three-set thriller that ended 3-6, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (2). Roberto Hernandez faced a tough day against Arizona’s Glib Sekachov, losing 7-5, 6-2. These losses highlighted the gap in depth between the teams, but they also provided valuable experience for the Rebels. The ability to bounce back from a lost set is a crucial skill, and the team showed glimpses of that resilience.
Doubles Action Shifts Momentum
Doubles play offered a different dynamic, with the pairing of players adding a layer of strategy and teamwork. On Friday, the pairing of Lenny Haddad and Aubin Rouillon fell to NAU’s Kai Mills and Felix Neumeister, 8-5. It was a close contest, with both teams trading games in a tense exchange. But the Rebels found their footing in the second doubles match. Roberto Hernandez and Joel Gibson joined forces to defeat San Diego State’s Maxime Baur and Blake Anderson, 8-4. This win was a statement, showing that the Rebels could compete and win when they played as a cohesive unit.
Final Day Brings Mixed Results
Sunday brought a mix of outcomes as the tournament wound down. Lenny Haddad secured a victory over New Mexico’s Nikhil Srivasta, winning 6-3, 6-4. It was a solid performance to cap off his weekend, showing consistency and focus. In doubles, Hernandez and Gibson continued their strong play, defeating New Mexico’s Connor Dils and Juan Rodriguez, 8-5. This second doubles win for the pair added to their team record and provided a positive note to close out the event. The Rebels left Tucson with a record that reflects both their potential and the challenges they face in the upcoming season.
