USC Men’s Tennis Kicks Off 2024 Season with Clash Against UC Irvine Amidst Weather Concerns
Early Start Due to Forecast
The USC men’s tennis team, ranked No. 7 in the nation, will begin their dual season a day earlier than scheduled due to forecasted rain in Los Angeles. Instead of the planned doubleheader, the Trojans will now face UC Irvine on Friday, January 19, at 1:30 p.m. at Marks Stadium. The second leg of the doubleheader against UNLV has been postponed until further notice.
Individual Rankings: Trojans Shine in ITA Coaches Poll
USC boasts three ranked individuals in the latest ITA Coaches Poll, released on January 17. Junior Peter Makk holds the highest ranking at No. 39, followed by senior Lodewijk Weststrate at No. 73 and junior Karl Lee at No. 94. Makk had an impressive 8-5 fall season, while Lee boasts the best record among the Trojans with a 13-4 mark, including two championship appearances in various fall tournaments.
Doubles Ranking: Rubell and Vallabhaneni Make Their Mark
The Trojans also have one ranked doubles squad, comprising graduate students Samuel Rubell and Niroop Vallabhaneni, who sit at No. 47. The duo has a perfect 4-0 record together and claimed victory at the SoCal Intercollegiate tournament on their home courts.
New Additions Bring International Experience and Depth
USC welcomes two mid-season additions to their roster: freshman Volodymyr Iakubenko from Kiev, Ukraine, and sophomore Oscar Weightman from London, England.
Iakubenko brings a wealth of experience from the junior circuit, having won a junior singles title and reaching the finals at the J300 Santa Croce Sull’Arno tournament in Italy in May 2023. He achieved his highest junior ranking of No. 52 in May and finished his junior career with an overall record of 96-63 in singles and 67-38 in doubles.
Weightman, on the other hand, boasts experience on the international circuit. He currently ranks 1130 in the ATP singles world rankings, having peaked at No. 603 in August 2022. Weightman also achieved a career-high ITF singles ranking of No. 69 in April 2022.
Last Season’s Achievements: Trojans Continue Their Dominance
In the 2023 season, USC recorded a commendable overall record of 21-8, including a 6-2 mark in conference play, which earned them a share of the Pac-12 regular season title. They continued their success by claiming their fourth consecutive Pac-12 tournament title. In the NCAA tournament, the Trojans advanced to the NCAA Super Regionals, hosting Idaho and San Diego in the first two rounds. They displayed dominance in both matches, securing a 4-0 victory against Idaho and a 4-1 win over USD.
Scouting UC Irvine: Anteaters Aim to Make an Impact
The Anteaters, USC’s first opponent of the season, have already competed in one dual match, defeating Westcliff University 7-0 on January 18. They do not yet feature any ranked individuals or teams in the ITA rankings.
Viewing Options: Catch the Action Live
All matches at Marks Stadium can be streamed live through PlaySight. To watch the live streams and view live scoring, visit USCTrojans.com/mtennis. For score updates, follow @USCMensTennis on Instagram and Twitter.
Come Out and Support the Trojans
Join the excitement as the USC men’s tennis team embarks on their 2024 season. Witness the Trojans’ exceptional talent and athleticism as they compete against some of the top teams in the nation. Make your way to Marks Stadium and cheer on the Trojans as they strive for success. Go Trojans!