"UNLV Men's TENNIS.....WHAT A TURN AROUND"
By Ryan Wolfington
Coach Owen Hambrook, in his first year has coach, has made a Cinderella story out of the men's Rebels team that
last year only won 2 matches. This year they have already won 9 matches and there are still 8 away matches left to play.
This is remarkable if you think just last year they only won two, with roughly the same schedule.
Coach Hambrook has taken steps to not only improve the team, but continues to welcome adults and junior tennis
players to come out and get involved, and watch the matches. I can tell you first hand, UNLV college tennis is great tennis
to watch, and now that they are a winning team, you can be a part of that winning tradition. "I want everyone to come on
out, it would be great," said Hambrook. His enthusiasm for building a great program has inspired many of his players to
take their game to a whole new level. Local tennis standout, Joel Kielbowics, has done a 360 degree change this season,
from losing to winning. His one year turn around is symbolic of what this whole team has done in such a short time.
I know it comes down to attitude and desire. When players see their coach put 100% into the program, they gain a respect
and are inspired to do the same.
Owen for years was the assistant for Kevin Cory, the UNLV tennis Director and Woman's head coach.
The success of the girls team has now become something you can count on, and Hambrook is now in the process of
rebuilding the same type of legacy for the men's squad. Look out for names on this team that look and sound familiar,
as 8 players on the roster come from local talent. This is remarkable, as many college teams are almost always filled
with players from outside the United States. To stay competitive in Division 1 tennis, coaches have to take the best
players and put together a team that can win against the competition. Often times this means having a whole team
of foreign players. Tim Blenkiron, from Australia, was a great example of the benefits of recruiting out of the country.
Since winning the NCAA's he has been an incredible force for good in local tennis. In fact, just last weekend,
out of all the coaches I called to bring their kids down to watch the ladies final home match, it was Blenkiron
that showed up with the most kids, some 20+. Even better is his innate interest and support of the program.
If you like tennis you will love watching the Rebels play out tough matches against some of the best teams
in the country. Hambrook and Cory's combination of including Las Vegas in it's national and international recruiting
plan has sparked a lot of local enthusiasm for the program. And even more so because they are winning with that
formula. This takes a working knowledge and relationship with the tennis community, both of which Kevin Cory and
Owen Hambrook have. In fact Owen, prior to taking the job at UNLV, ran the junior tennis Academy at ClubSport
for years. Some of the best players in Nevada went through that program. Now Owen has been able
to call on some of those players he coached years ago, to build a strong team.
You are invited to go down this Friday at 1pm, Saturday at 10am and Sunday at 10am.
The matches can last anywhere from 2 1/2 to 4 hours. See for yourself faces you may recognize,
but what I know you will see is a new invigorated tennis program buzzing around UNLV's Fertitta
tennis center.
Below is an article I posted on VegasTennis.com last week on the girls final home match.
On VegasTennis.com you can also see the group photo of all the junior tennis fans and Tim Blenkiron.
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March 2003
VegasTennis.com Supports UNLV Tennis
Today some 50 to 60 junior tennis players and many more adults were on hand to
see what many call the best tennis in town, the UNLV tennis program. UNLV ladies
tennis team played their last home match of the year today, losing an extremely
close match to the BYU team which is presently ranked 14th in the nation. But in
the process they gained the respect of many up and coming junior players as the
kids came out to see what college tennis is about and it inspired them all.
For years Kevin Cory's woman's team has been one of the top in the nation, and
many of you still remember when local tennis pro Tim Blenkiron won the NCAA
title in doubles with Luke Smith. The men's team has not been as good in recent
years. Last year they were 2 wins and 14 loses. Yet this year the team has had a
significant improvement under the new leadership of Coach Owen Hambrook, who was
hired this year to bring glory back to the men's tennis program. The team, which
includes many local players, has regained their strength, winning 8 of their
last 10 matches. It is amazing how in one year the program has done a complete
turn around. Next weekend, April 2-4, the men's team concludes their home season
with matches Friday, Saturday and Sunday. This is a chance to see some excellent
tennis.
Today was the beginning of a reunion between the strong local tennis community
and it's UNLV tennis team. I see a benefit for junior and adult players to go out
and watch entertaining tennis, while at the same time see in fluid action, the
very thing many are being taught at their local clubs; The only difference is
here you see it in being performed. UNLV plays division I, and therefore many of the top
5 teams in the country. UNLV is also the host of regional tournaments and a season
kickoff tournament which had lasts years NCAA Championship singles finalist and
winner in the draw.
It was just years ago that former UNLV stars Tim Blenkiron and Nenad Zivkovic
played in UNLV'S Professional Challenger. In the first round they played Andre Agassi and
his coach at the time Brad Gilbert. In two amazing sets, the UNLV players lost by
the slightest of margins 7-6, 7-6. It just goes to show that some of the best
college players , on a given day, are and can play pro level tennis, and you can
go watch for free anytime UNLV has a match.
VegasTennis.com is going to work with you to Bring Tennis Alive in the Valley,
One match at a time, and an intricate part of that is the support of UNLV's
tennis program. The woman's team has just ended their home season
today and I was happy to have such a large crowd out there to support the team,
and even more, so juniors can experience the entertainment side of watching high
level tennis. There was insight to gain, whether seeing first hand how a player
stays calm under pressure or the way a player gets down low before hitting a
ground stroke, or the magnificent camaraderie that an event like this affords.
UNLV lady rebels were very close in almost every match against the BYU team,
showing the UNLV program is very strong under coach Corey's leadership. In
practices and at matches you can see the team is close and Kevin is smooth in
how he handles many different accomplished athletes to make them feel like one
cohesive team. His assistant coach is Stephane Mathue-Cambas, who played on the
tour for 10 years and is getting his MBA now at UNLV. Stephane is the undisputed
best singles player in Las Vegas, and has been an intricate part of this coaching
staff. Today Mathue and Blenkiron were able to catch up. The two often play
doubles together as the only undefeated doubles team in Las Vegas, winning the
VegasTennis.com BALLY'S CUP last year.
Many coaches in town were enthusiastic about this day of support for the UNLV
program. The most significant contribution came from Tim Blenkiron, who as a UNLV
alumni, is now the coach of Andre Agassi Boys and Girls Club tennis program. In
years to come you may witness the tremendous success of Andre's program as players
who develop eventually use it as a vehicle to get into a great college, perhaps
even getting a scholarship. Blenkiron, voted last years developmental coach of the
year, shows a tremendous amount of enthusiasm when ever I call him to support
anything tennis. Today he brought his whole program, some 20 players and parents.
Also present was Saad Ashraaf, and Robbie Parlade. Saad coaches "TEAM MISSION HILLS",
a group of players he developed from beginners to tournament players. Robbie Parlade,
an avid and enthusiastic Rebel fan, came out as usual and encouraged his whole
tennis club at UNLV to do the same. Robbie works with Leon Vernon and has
developed top tournament players like Andrew Craven, and participates in George
McCall's Inner City Games tennis programs that gets hundreds of kids playing
tennis.
Thanks to UNLV tennis Director and ladies coach Kevin Cory and assistant coach
Stephane Matue-Cambas the junior players that came out today were able to watch
great tennis then afterwards play themselves. Some of the juniors that participated
were: Cristala Andrews, McCall from California, Lauren McFarlene from Utah, Andrew
Craven, Shauna Morgan , Alex Zara, Asia Muhammad, Stan Breland, Blake Lamberth,
Trenton Alinek, Spencer Aguiar, Ozzie Taveras, Gabrielle Gibson, Alicia Cook,
Brittany Hanna and many others.
In short, it was a great day of watching good tennis, especially the number 1
doubles match on center court, and playing tennis.
Thanks to TEAM AGASSI and SCHLOTSKY'S DELI on Flamingo and Decatur for sponsoring
this event.
It should be noted, the UNLV men's team, which has made an amazing come back this
year, will have it's final home match next week at UNLV, Friday, Saturday and Sunday,
April 2-4th. Admission is free.
Enjoy.
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