USC men’s tennis stormed onto the court last week, returning to action with two Trojans — sophomore Max Exsted and junior Nathan Trouve — competing in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association All-American Championships in Tulsa, Oklahoma. 

While both players found success, only Exsted secured a spot in the NCAA Singles Championships in November. Still, Trouve had a strong showing in both singles and doubles for USC. 

Despite Trouve being ranked higher coming into the tournament, Exsted fared better over the five-day competition, winning his first three matches to make it to the quarterfinals before finally losing a match: After winning the Round of 64 game, Trouve was taken out in a close second-round battle. 

In doubles, the pair struggled together in a tough matchup, yet both players showed signs of promise that could benefit the team throughout the season. 

Exsted makes quarterfinal run

The highlight of the tournament for the Trojans was Exsted’s singles performance. The sophomore ranked No. 47 in the ITA’s preseason rankings, but his strong showing proved he was more than just a number. 

As a freshman, Exsted made All-Big Ten Second Team and Big Ten All-Freshman Team, winning the conference’s Freshman of the Week award four times in 2025-26 thanks to his 14-4 singles record. 

Through his first two matches of the tournament, Exsted continued his successful Trojan career, winning both of the competitive duels. In the first round, Exsted beat No. 35 Rice University’s senior Petro Kuzmenok. Even after losing the first set 6-3, Exsted came back to win the next two, 6-3 and 6-4, clinching the match. He followed this by taking down No. 59-ranked UC Berkeley senior Timofey Stepanov in two sets, 7-6 (7-4) and 6-4.

These victories set up a crucial match against the No. 7 player in the nation, Ohio State senior Aidan Kim, as the two faced off with a spot in the quarterfinals and an NCAA Singles Championship berth on the line. With the stakes at their highest, Exsted pulled off the upset, swiftly defeating Kim in two sets, 6-4 and 6-4, clinching his spot in the NCAA tournament in November. 

The quarterfinal round, however, was not as favorable to Exsted, as he was upset in a three-set heartbreaker against No. 104 Wake Forest sophomore Dominick Mosejczuk — winning the first set 6-3 before falling 6-3 and 6-4 in the final two singles sets of a successful tournament. 

Trouve defeated after one round 

Like Exsted, Trouve went into the tournament carrying high expectations. Ranked No. 40 in the country, the junior from Rafa Nadal International School earned Big Ten All-Freshman Team honors in his freshman campaign, and started the tournament just as strong as his teammate did. 

Trouve faced No. 19-ranked Luca Pow, a senior from Wake Forest, in the Round of 64. Despite the difficult matchup, Trouve won against all odds, taking down Pow in two sets, 7-5 and 6-4, to advance to the second round.

Trouve’s momentum didn’t continue, however, as he was defeated by No. 88 Texas freshman Tomasz Berkieta. The loss came in just two sets, both of them ending in a 6-4 loss for Trouve. 

Due to his early exit, Trouve was put in a consolation bracket in which he faced another tough matchup against No. 21 TCU junior Cooper Woestendick. Trouve fell in a three-set duel, winning the first pairing 6-3 before losing the next two by the same score, ending his singles tournament run.

Tough draw leads to early doubles exit

Exsted and Trouve, who went 15-2 overall as a duo last year, understood each other on the court last season. Although they have chemistry, a tough draw led to a first-round exit in the doubles tournament.

Entering the tournament ranked No. 49, the pair had a date against the No. 3 Ohio State pair of junior Nikita Filin and senior Brandon Carpico. Exsted and Trouve lost a competitive first set 7-6 before losing a less-competitive second set 6-2, moving them to the consolation bracket where they took both of their matches. 

Although the two Trojans disappointed in doubles, their singles performances will likely bring promise to USC. 

The Trojans will be back in action when they travel to participate in the UC Santa Barbara Classic from Oct. 9 to Oct. 11.