LAS VEGAS, Nev.--The University of Hawai'i men's tennis team (1-3) takes off to test their luck in the Las Vegas Invitational hosted by UNLV this week, playing three matches in two days at the Fertitta Tennis Complex in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Rainbow Warriors will open with a doubleheader on Friday, Jan. 31, taking on UC Riverside in a non-conference match at 8:00 a.m. HT followed by former Western Athletic Conference rival, New Mexico State at 12:00 p.m. HT. On Saturday, Feb. 1 the 'Bows will battle host UNLV at 12:00 p.m.

Hawai'i opened their season two weeks ago under soggy conditions at the UH Tennis Complex. Their season opener vs. Duke was rained out and their subsequent matches against Duke and Arizona all were played around multiple rain delays. In the end, the 'Bows fought hard but fell 4-1 in all three matches--one against Duke and two against Arizona. 

UH's No. 1 Andre Ilagan and No. 4 Axel Labrunie are the only two players to have notched a sinlges win. Ilagan defeated Duke's Luca Keist in straight sets to open the season while Axel Labrunie recorded his first collegiate win against Arizona's Igor Karpovits in straight sets. In doubles, all three of UH's teams are 1-1 through the first three dual matches. Hawai'i is playing Ilagan and Lucas Labrunie at the No. 1 spot. Axel Labrunie and Blaz Seric are playing at No. 2 while Simao Telo Alves and Chia-Hua Lu has been on the No. 3 court.

UC Riverside (4-2) got off to a hot start winning their first three matches against Ottawa University Arizona, Arizona Christian, and Grand Canyon before getting swept by Arizona and falling to Northern Arizona. But the Highlanders got back on the winning track defeating UC San Diego, 6-1 this past week. Last year, UCR and Hawai'i finished the Big West season tied for fifth place. 

Former WAC rival, New Mexico State opened its season this past week with a 7-0 sweep over Western New Mexico. Last season, the Aggies posted a 15-10 overall record while going 4-1 in the WAC and finished second place in the conference tournament.

Host UNLV will be opening its 2020 season this week with the Las Vegas Invitational. Last season, the Rebels recorded a 13-9 overall record while going 2-5 in the Mountain West.

Las Vegas Invitational
Teams: UC Riverside (4-2), New Mexico State (1-0) , UNLV (0-0), Hawai'i (0-3)
Site: Fertitta Tennis Complex (Las Vegas, Nev.)

Schedule: 
Friday, Jan. 31
8:00 a.m. HT - Hawai'i vs. UC Riverside
12:00 p.m. HT - Hawai'i vs. New Mexico State

Saturday, Feb. 1
12:00 p.m. - Hawai'i vs. UNLV