Nevada tennis strong at Santa Clara

The University of Nevada men's tennis team had an impressive showing last weekend at the Santa Clara University Bronco Classic.

Twelve teams competed in the event, including nationally ranked Stanford, California, Oregon, UC Santa Barbara, Portland and Sacramento State. Also in the event were Santa Clara, UC San Diego, UC Davis, San Francisco and St. Mary's.

Guillaume Tonelli of Nevada reached the semifinals of the B flight main draw in singles while Milos Popovic made the semifinals of the A flight back draw in singles. Eldar Dzhafarov made the B flight back draw quarterfians in singles while Reno's Randy Reynolds made the C flight back draw quarterfinals in singles. Rafal Stupka lost a close three-set match to a player from Cal in singles.

In doubles, Tonelli and Dzhafarov won their first round match 8-5 over a St. Mary's team before losing in the second round to a team from Cal. Reynolds and Popovic lost two close matches, both by 6-8 scores, to teams from Santa Clara and Stanford. Stupka and his partner from St. Mary's lost both of their matches 3-8.

"We competed very well and extremely hard," said Nevada coach Chad Stoloff, a Carson High graduate. "I am excited and pleased with where we are and where we are going this season. We are going to surprise some teams this year."

Nevada will next compete in the Fall Intercollegiate Tennis Association Rolex Tournament at Santa Clara Oct. 21-25. Among the teams competing will be Stanford, Cal, Washington, Oregon, Fresno State and Hawai'i.