SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Utah State men's tennis (3-9) lost, 4-3, in a close neutral site match to Drake (4-15) in Santa Barbara, Calif., on Sunday.

The Aggies had a strong start after earning doubles point as junior Felipe Acosta and freshman Javier Ruiz earned the 6-2 win at the No. 1 spot over Drake freshmen Oliver Johansson and Matija Matic. Freshmen Christian Holmes and Roko Savin also earned a 6-2 win over sophomore Evan Fragistas and junior Evan Powell at the No. 3 spot. Senior Sergiu Bucur and freshman Arvid Hjalte were tied at 4-4 with senior Barny Thorold and sophomore Reid Jarvis at the No. 2 spot, but the match was left unfinished as USU had already clinched the doubles point.

In singles play, Johansson defeated Acosta at the top spot, 6-4, 6-2. Bucur posted a straight-set victory over Thorold at the No. 2 spot, 6-3, 6-4. Junior Finley Hall defeated Holmes at the No. 5 spot, 6-3, 7-5, while Savin took the win at the No. 6 spot, 7-6, 6-3, over Matic. Both the Nos. 3 and 4 spots went to three sets as Jarvis defeated Ruiz, 6-4, 6-7, 6-3, at the No. 3 position, while Fragistas won, 2-6, 6-4, 6-1, against Hjalte at the No. 4 spot.

Utah State's California trip continues as the Aggies take on Loyola Marymount (3-7) on Monday, March 9, at noon (MT).

Fans can follow USU's men's tennis team on Twitter @USUMensTennis, on Facebook at /UtahStateMensTennis or on Instagram at USUMensTennis.  Aggie fans can also follow the Utah State athletic program on Twitter, @USUAthletics, Facebook at /USUAthletics and on Instagram, @USUAthletics.

Singles
1. Oliver Johansson (DU) def. Felipe Acosta (US) 6-4, 6-2
2. Sergiu Bucur (US) def. Barny Thorold (DU) 6-3, 6-4
3. Reid Jarvis (DU) def. Javier Ruiz (US) 6-4, 6-7, 6-3
4. Evan Fragistas (DU) def. Arvid Hjalte (US) 2-6, 6-4, 6-1
5. Finley Hall (DU) def. Christian Holmes (US) 6-3, 7-5
6. Roko Savin (US) def. Matija Matic (DU) 7-6, 6-3

Doubles
1. Felipe Acosta/Javier Ruiz (US) def. Oliver Johansson/Matija Matic (DU) 6-2
2. Sergiu Bucur/Arvid Hjalte (US) vs. Barny Thorold/Reid Jarvis (DU) 4-4, unfinished
3. Christian Holmes/Roko Savin (US) def. Evan Fragistas/Freddie Powell (DU) 6-2

Match Notes
Drake 4-15
Utah State 3-9

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