USC men's tennis has composed season after season of success, to the tune of 21 national titles (the most of any collegiate men's tennis program), including five in the last six years. For Yannick Hanfmann, Eric Johnson, Roberto Quiroz and Jonny Wang, their Trojan careers have been nothing short of victorious. Now for USC's four seniors, it's all about ending their song on the right note.
Hanfmann and Quiroz (pictured) began their Trojan careers with a bang and their journeys have been in harmony ever since. From Germany and Ecuador respectively, the international duo found comfort quickly on the U.S. hard courts. Quiroz paired with USC legend Steve Johnson to form the No. 2 ranked doubles team in the country, earning the freshman All-American honors. Hanfmann displayed steel beyond his years, winning an epic singles match to clinch the national championship for the Trojans in 2012.
Over the course of the next three seasons, each player continued to develop. Hanfmann finished the 2013 season as the No. 33 singles player in the country and received his first All-American selection, while Quiroz led his team in singles victories going 38-11 en route to a No. 42 ranking. Last season, the dynamic duo led the Trojans to another NCAA title with Hanfmann earning All-American honors in both singles and doubles play and finishing the year ranked No. 5 and No. 4 in singles and doubles respectively, his highest rankings of his career.
The championship ascension for Eric Johnson and Wang has been a more steady and climactic build. The two freshmen finished their first seasons at USC unranked but with a taste for success as members of the 2012 national champion squad. The next year, playing primarily at the No. 5 position, Johnson earned a No. 85 ranking and ITA National Team Indoor All-Tournament honors for singles play. Wang attained a No. 90 ranking his sophomore year going 30-7 overall and 15-3 in dual matches.
Last season, Johnson was named to the NCAA All-Tournament Team after his undefeated singles performance played a pivotal role in helping the Trojans capture the NCAA title. He also earned Pac-12 All-Academic Honorable Mention honors for the second straight year. Wang wrapped up the 2014 season ranked No. 61 in the nation in singles, playing a versatile role for USC all season at the No. 5, No. 3 and No. 6 spots.
This season, the No. 7 Trojans are in pursuit of another crown, a perfect closing opus to four seniors' careers. Hanfmann and Quiroz have teamed up to become the No. 3 ranked doubles pair in the country, with the duo earning No. 9 and No. 19 rankings in singles play respectively. Wang (No. 35) and Johnson (No. 114) round out the talented and well-balanced group. The quartet that began as champions would like nothing better than to finish the same, and with the first round of NCAA play beginning in just over a month, it's time for the team's most epic crescendo yet.
Coming off back-to-back dominating victories over Washington and Oregon, USC is already closing in on its final home dual matches of the season. On Friday, the Trojans host Utah at 3 p.m. PT followed by the senior day celebration on Saturday before USC takes on Arizona at 1 p.m. PT.
