LOGAN, Utah – Utah State men's tennis (5-2) wrapped up its four-match homestand Saturday, posting a 4-3 win over in-state rival BYU.

Overall, this was just the fifth win over BYU in program history, all of which have happened in the last seven years.

BYU took the first doubles victory of the day, but the Aggies responded with wins at Nos. 1 and 3, almost simultaneously to claim the point. Senior Felipe Acosta and sophomore Javier Ruiz defeated Ben Gajardo and Matheus Leite, 7-5, while fifth-year Sergiu Bucur and redshirt freshman Souf El Mesbahi topped Sean Hill and Sam Tullis, 6-4.

USU and BYU kept things tight and competitive throughout singles action. While the Aggies dropped the first two matches, wins at Nos. 3, 5, and 6 secured the win. El Mesbahi defeated Mateo Melendez in straight sets (6-4, 6-3) in the No. 3 position, while Ruiz swept Dominik Jakovljevic (6-2, 6-4) at No. 5. The match came down to sophomore Arvid Hjalte, who battled through two 7-6 tiebreak sets in the No. 6 spot.

Utah State hits the road for its next four matches. The Aggies will play at Utah on Saturday, March 6, at 10 a.m. The team will then play at Northern Arizona on Monday, March 8, and at Grand Canyon on Tuesday, March 9.

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 at @USUAthletics, on Facebook at Utah State University Athletics or on Instagram at @USU Athletics.

RESULTS
Utah State 4, BYU 3
Doubles
1. Felipe Acosta/Javier Ruiz (USU) def. Ben Gajardo/Matheus Leite (BYU) 7-5
2. Mateo, Melendez/Dominik Jakovljevic (BYU) def. Jack Ninteman/Roko Savin (USU) 6-4
3. Sergiu Bucur/Souf El Mesbahi (USU) def. Sean Hill/Sam Tullis (BYU) 6-4

Singles
1. Sean Hill (BYU) def. Sergiu Bucur (USU) 6-1, 6-3
2. Ben Gajardo (BYU) def. Felipe Acosta (USU) 6-3, 6-4
3. Souf El Mesbahi (USU) def. Mateo Melendez (BYU) 6-4, 6-3
4. Sam Tullis (BYU) def. Roko Savin (USU) 4-6, 6-3, 6-4
5. Javier Ruiz (USU) def. Dominik Jakovljevic (BYU) 6-2, 6-4
6. Arvid Hjalte (USU) def. Matheus Leite (BYU) 7-6 (7-2), 7-6 (7-2)

Match Notes
Colorado Mesa: 3-4
Utah State: 5-2
Order of Finish: Doubles - 2, 3, 1; Singles - 2, 1, 3, 4, 5, 6