April 17, 2001

LOGAN, Utah - Utah State and Idaho State's men's tennis teams had met twice already this season with each school winning one match. On Tuesday, the two teams once again played a close match. Tied 3-3 the match came down to the number five singles match between USU's Dan Baird and ISU's Hestian Stoica.

Stoica prevailed in a narrow thriller to give Idaho State the 4-3 win. Stoica won the first set 6-1, but Baird fought back to win 7-6 in the second set to force the day's only three-set singles match. In the decider Stoica edged the Logan, Utah senior 7-5 to give ISU the win.

The Bengals won the doubles point by taking two of the three matches there as only Jonah Nelson and partner Tim Burrell won at number two doubles. USU won three singles matches, including victories by Tadd Hinze at number three, Ryan Burbidge at number four and Ben Searle, in his first spring match, at number six.

After number one singles player Andy Madersbacher, the rest of the Aggies moved up one spot after Jonah Nelson, USU's regular number two player was not able to play singles due to a penalty.

"I thought everyone performed well, considering they all had to move up one spot," said USU head coach Chris Wright. "Ben's win was big since he has not seen much action this year."

With the loss Utah State dropped to 5-9 to complete the regular season portion of its schedule. The Aggies will travel to the Big West Championships at Ojai, Calif. April. 24-29.

IDAHO STATE 4, UTAH STATE 3

Singles

#1 - Malcolm Swan (ISU) def. Andy Madersbacher, 6-1, 6-4

#2 - Simmo Sommer (ISU) def. Tim Burrell, 6-4, 6-2

#3 - Tadd Hinze (USU) def. Vasico Devidze, 6-4, 6-1

#4 - Ryan Burbidge (USU) def. George Devidze, 7-5, 7-5

#5 - Hestian Stoica (ISU) def. Dan Baird, 6-1, 6-7, 7-5

#6 - Ben Searle (USU) def. Ionnis Stravidis, 6-3, 7-6

Doubles

#1 - Swan/Stoica (ISU) def. Madersbacher/Clayton Thomas, 8-4

#2 - Jonah Nelson/Burrell (USU) def. Devidze/Krupp, 8-3

#3 - Devidze/Stravidis (ISU) def. Baird/Burbidge, 8-5