University Southern California Trojans
Photo by: William Fosnot
USC's Max Exsted Named Big Ten Men's Tennis Freshman of the Week
January 28, 2026 | Men's Tennis
Exsted earns his second set of conference FOW honors.
LOS ANGELES – USC freshman Max Exsted was named the Big Ten Men's Tennis Freshman of the Week for the third week of the season (Jan. 21–28), the conference announced Wednesday, Jan. 28.
The honor marks the second Freshman of the Week award of Exsted's young career, despite the newcomer having arrived on campus less than a month ago as a mid-year addition. Exsted shared the weekly honor with Nebraska's Jeri Lasilla, as the pair were named Co-Freshman of the Week by the conference.
Exsted turned in a strong performance for the Trojans during ITA Kickoff Weekend at the Hellman Tennis Complex in Berkeley, Calif. Facing No. 12 UCF, Exsted teamed up with Nathan Trouve to deliver USC's lone doubles victory of the day, defeating Luca Hotze and Nicolas Oliveira 6-4 on court three.
The duo followed that performance with another court-three doubles win in the consolation match against No. 15 California just a day later, again providing USC's only doubles point with a 6-4 victory over Aney/Cattaneo.
In singles play against the Golden Bears, Exsted played a pivotal role in USC's 4-1 victory. The freshman delivered the Trojans' third point of the match with a gritty, come-from-behind win on court four, defeating Bernardo Munk Mesa 2-6, 6-3, 6-4.
Through just three weeks of competition as a Trojan, Exsted owns a 3-1 singles record, continuing to make an immediate impact for USC during the spring season.
Exsted and the No. 22 ranked Trojans return to the Bay Area this weekend to face No. 23 Cal on Saturday at 10 a.m. and No. 3 Stanford on Sunday at noon PT.Â
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The honor marks the second Freshman of the Week award of Exsted's young career, despite the newcomer having arrived on campus less than a month ago as a mid-year addition. Exsted shared the weekly honor with Nebraska's Jeri Lasilla, as the pair were named Co-Freshman of the Week by the conference.
Exsted turned in a strong performance for the Trojans during ITA Kickoff Weekend at the Hellman Tennis Complex in Berkeley, Calif. Facing No. 12 UCF, Exsted teamed up with Nathan Trouve to deliver USC's lone doubles victory of the day, defeating Luca Hotze and Nicolas Oliveira 6-4 on court three.
The duo followed that performance with another court-three doubles win in the consolation match against No. 15 California just a day later, again providing USC's only doubles point with a 6-4 victory over Aney/Cattaneo.
In singles play against the Golden Bears, Exsted played a pivotal role in USC's 4-1 victory. The freshman delivered the Trojans' third point of the match with a gritty, come-from-behind win on court four, defeating Bernardo Munk Mesa 2-6, 6-3, 6-4.
Through just three weeks of competition as a Trojan, Exsted owns a 3-1 singles record, continuing to make an immediate impact for USC during the spring season.
Exsted and the No. 22 ranked Trojans return to the Bay Area this weekend to face No. 23 Cal on Saturday at 10 a.m. and No. 3 Stanford on Sunday at noon PT.Â
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Players Mentioned
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
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