University Southern California Trojans
Thursday, April 23
Ojai, Calif.
12:00 p.m. PT
USC
vs
UCLA
No. 19 USC Men's Tennis Set for 2026 Big Ten Championship Tournament in Ojai
April 21, 2026 | Men's Tennis
No. 4 seeded Trojans set for rematch against No. 5 UCLA on Thursday at noon PT.
LOS ANGELES - The No. 19 USC men's tennis team is set to begin postseason action this week, traveling to Ojai for the Big Ten Championship Tournament. The Trojans, the tournament's No. 4 seed, will face No. 5 seed UCLA in a quarterfinal clash on Thursday at 12 p.m. PT at Libbey Park.
All matches from the tournament will stream live on Big Ten Plus (B1G+), with live scoring available via IonCourt.
USC enters the postseason with an 18-6 overall record and a 10-3 mark in Big Ten play, finishing the regular season tied for second in the conference standings. The Trojans carry momentum into Ojai on a four-match win streak, most recently securing a 4-1 road victory over Oregon in the regular-season finale.
The quarterfinal showdown renews USC's crosstown rivalry with UCLA, as the two teams split their regular-season meetings. The Trojans claimed a 3-2 win at Marks Stadium, while the Bruins answered with a 4-1 victory in Westwood. UCLA enters the tournament ranked No. 21 nationally with a 16-6 overall record and matching 10-3 Big Ten mark, riding a three-match win streak after a 4-3 win over Washington on Sunday.Â
USC has been powered by strong individual performances across the lineup. In doubles, the tandem of Max Exsted and Nate Trouve has been dominant, posting a perfect 7-0 record in Big Ten play. In singles action, Exsted finished the regular season 8-1 in conference matches and enters the postseason on a four-match win streak, while Connor Church also went 8-1 in Big Ten play and brings a seven-match winning streak into Ojai. The Trojans also feature ranked singles players Nate Trouve (No. 67), Exsted (No. 70) and Branko Djuric (No. 84).
UCLA counters with a trio of ranked singles players in Emon van Loben Sels (No. 36), Spencer Johnson (No. 52) and Rudy Quan (No. 87), along with two ranked doubles teams led by Johnson and van Loben Sels at No. 34.
Historically, USC has been successful in conference play, claiming 26 conference titles, including seven conference tournament championships. Under head coach Brett Masi, the Trojans captured three consecutive conference tournament titles from 2021-23 and now look to add another postseason run to their legacy.
With a spot in the semifinals on the line, USC will aim to continue its strong late-season form as it opens Big Ten Tournament play against its longtime rival on Thursday.Â
All matches from the tournament will stream live on Big Ten Plus (B1G+), with live scoring available via IonCourt.
USC enters the postseason with an 18-6 overall record and a 10-3 mark in Big Ten play, finishing the regular season tied for second in the conference standings. The Trojans carry momentum into Ojai on a four-match win streak, most recently securing a 4-1 road victory over Oregon in the regular-season finale.
The quarterfinal showdown renews USC's crosstown rivalry with UCLA, as the two teams split their regular-season meetings. The Trojans claimed a 3-2 win at Marks Stadium, while the Bruins answered with a 4-1 victory in Westwood. UCLA enters the tournament ranked No. 21 nationally with a 16-6 overall record and matching 10-3 Big Ten mark, riding a three-match win streak after a 4-3 win over Washington on Sunday.Â
USC has been powered by strong individual performances across the lineup. In doubles, the tandem of Max Exsted and Nate Trouve has been dominant, posting a perfect 7-0 record in Big Ten play. In singles action, Exsted finished the regular season 8-1 in conference matches and enters the postseason on a four-match win streak, while Connor Church also went 8-1 in Big Ten play and brings a seven-match winning streak into Ojai. The Trojans also feature ranked singles players Nate Trouve (No. 67), Exsted (No. 70) and Branko Djuric (No. 84).
UCLA counters with a trio of ranked singles players in Emon van Loben Sels (No. 36), Spencer Johnson (No. 52) and Rudy Quan (No. 87), along with two ranked doubles teams led by Johnson and van Loben Sels at No. 34.
Historically, USC has been successful in conference play, claiming 26 conference titles, including seven conference tournament championships. Under head coach Brett Masi, the Trojans captured three consecutive conference tournament titles from 2021-23 and now look to add another postseason run to their legacy.
With a spot in the semifinals on the line, USC will aim to continue its strong late-season form as it opens Big Ten Tournament play against its longtime rival on Thursday.Â
Players Mentioned
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USC men's tennis wins Pac-12 Tournament title (4/29/23)
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