LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) – The UNLV men's tennis team won its fourth straight match with a key, 4-2 victory over Utah State on a hot Saturday afternoon at the Fertitta Tennis Complex.
 
The Rebels improved to 8-9 overall and 2-0 in the Mountain West while the Aggies fell to 10-5 and 1-1.
 
The hosts had to rally in this one as USU quickly grabbed the doubles point by taking the first two completed matches. Singles play was a different story, however, as UNLV got a trio of straight-setters and then clinched it when Jordan Sauer held off Felipe Acosta on court three, 7-5, 3-6, 6-4.
 
REBEL OF THE MATCH: Standout senior Alex Kobelt, who just returned to the lineup yesterday, earned his first win of his final season with a 7-5, 6-4 victory over Sergiu Bucur at the top position.
 
QUOTABLE: "Utah State outplayed us in doubles, which didn't help matters, but everyone got fired up and competed hard in singles. The energy was better and the crowd that was allowed today really helped us as well. It was a good team effort in getting the win."
-UNLV Head Coach Owen Hambrook
 
NEXT FOR THE REBELS: UNLV will hit the road for a key conference match at New Mexico on Friday. First serve is scheduled for 3 p.m. PT.
 
Men's Tennis Match Results
UNLV 4, UTAH STATE 2
April 3, 2021, Las Vegas
(Fertitta Tennis Complex)
 
 Singles competition
1. Alex Kobelt (UNLV) def. BUCUR, Sergiu (USU) 7-5, 6-4
2. Eric Samuelsson (UNLV) def. EL MESBAHI, Souf (USU) 6-2, 6-0
3. Jordan Sauer (UNLV) def. ACOSTA, Felipe (USU) 7-5, 3-6, 6-4
4. SAVIN, Roko (USU) def. Milos Dabic (UNLV) 6-4, 2-6, 6-1
5. Anton Ornberg (UNLV) vs. RUIZ, Javier (USU) 6-7, 6-2, 4-5, unfinished
6. Zach Garner (UNLV) def. RIGBY, Keanu (USU) 7-6, 6-4

 Doubles competition
1. ACOSTA, Felipe/RUIZ, Javier (USU) def. Eric Samuelsson/Clayton Alenik (UNLV) 6-3
2. Jack Atherton/Anton Ornberg (UNLV) vs. BUCUR, Sergiu/EL MESBAHI, Souf (USU) 2-4, unfinished
3. NINTEMAN, Jack/SAVIN, Roko (USU) def. Jordan Sauer/Milos Dabic (UNLV) 6-0

Order of finish: Doubles (3,1); Singles (2,1,6,4,3)