LAS VEGAS – UNLV sophomore Illi Snitari secured the 2025 Mountain West Fall Qualifier title Monday, continuing a dominant run with the Rebels and earning a berth in a national tournament.The victory at the Darling Tennis Center solidifies Snitari’s position as a rising star in collegiate tennis and extends UNLV’s recent success in the Mountain West event.
Snitari, ranked 83rd nationally and coming off a stellar freshman season where he was named both MW Player and Freshman of the Year, defeated Boise State’s Avery Tallakson 6-4, 6-2 in under 80 minutes. This win improves his UNLV record to a perfect 13-0, having navigated the entire five-match qualifier without dropping a set. The tournament title grants Snitari the possibility to represent the Mountain West at the ITA Conference Masters tournament, a key step toward qualifying for the NCAA Singles and Doubles Championships.
This marks the second consecutive year a Rebel has claimed the Mountain West Fall Qualifier crown; Illia Maksymchuk won the inaugural event in 2024.
“Happy for Ilia,” saeid UNLV head coach Andy Jackson. “It’s great that a Rebel has won this event two years in a row.”
The ITA Conference masters will be held in San Diego from November 7-10.
2025 MOUNTAIN WEST FALL QUALIFIER
At Darling Tennis Center, Las Vegas
Oct. 2-5
SINGLES FINAL
(1) #83 Illi Snitari (UNLV) def. Avery Tallakson (BSU) 6-4,6-2
