University Southern California Trojans
Photo by: Kevin Kim
USC's Max Exsted Earns Fourth Big Ten Freshman of the Week Honor
April 08, 2026 | Men's Tennis
Freshman continues standout debut season with another undefeated weekend.
ROSEMONT, Ill. -Â USC men's tennis newcomer Max Exsted has been named the Big Ten Freshman of the Week for the fourth time this season, the conference office announced Wednesday, recognizing his continued dominance in dual match play.
Exsted, who joined the Trojans this spring, has made an immediate and lasting impact in the lineup, delivering another unbeaten weekend to help USC in conference action. The freshman went 2-0 in singles and 1-0 in doubles play, highlighted by a ranked win and a match-clinching performance.
Against No. 1 Ohio State, Exsted secured a decisive 6-1, 6-3 victory over No. 20 Jack Anthrop to put USC on the board. The win marked his seventh Big Ten singles victory and improved his dual match record to an impressive 13-2.
In doubles against the Buckeyes, Exsted and partner Nathan Trouve were leading the No. 33-ranked duo of Okonkwo/Bernard, 5-3, before the match went unfinished.
Earlier in the weekend against Penn State, Exsted delivered in a pivotal moment. Competing at the No. 2 position, he clinched the match for USC with a 6-3, 6-3 win over Marcus Showman. Exsted and his pattern Trouve began the day with a 6-2 doubles victory on court two, helping the Trojans secure the doubles point.
Through the spring season, Exsted leads USC in Big Ten singles wins (7) and owns the team's highest overall singles winning percentage at 13-2 (.866), highlighting his consistency and impact in his debut campaign.
With his fourth weekly honor, Exsted continues to establish himself as one of the conference's top newcomers and a key contributor for the Trojans as they push through the final stretch of Big Ten play.
Exsted, who joined the Trojans this spring, has made an immediate and lasting impact in the lineup, delivering another unbeaten weekend to help USC in conference action. The freshman went 2-0 in singles and 1-0 in doubles play, highlighted by a ranked win and a match-clinching performance.
Against No. 1 Ohio State, Exsted secured a decisive 6-1, 6-3 victory over No. 20 Jack Anthrop to put USC on the board. The win marked his seventh Big Ten singles victory and improved his dual match record to an impressive 13-2.
In doubles against the Buckeyes, Exsted and partner Nathan Trouve were leading the No. 33-ranked duo of Okonkwo/Bernard, 5-3, before the match went unfinished.
Earlier in the weekend against Penn State, Exsted delivered in a pivotal moment. Competing at the No. 2 position, he clinched the match for USC with a 6-3, 6-3 win over Marcus Showman. Exsted and his pattern Trouve began the day with a 6-2 doubles victory on court two, helping the Trojans secure the doubles point.
Through the spring season, Exsted leads USC in Big Ten singles wins (7) and owns the team's highest overall singles winning percentage at 13-2 (.866), highlighting his consistency and impact in his debut campaign.
With his fourth weekly honor, Exsted continues to establish himself as one of the conference's top newcomers and a key contributor for the Trojans as they push through the final stretch of Big Ten play.
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
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