The USC men's tennis team concluded their fall season with a solid showing at the ITA West Sectional tournament, held in Malibu, California. The Trojans' doubles pairing of senior Karl Lee and graduate student Tristan Bradley made a deep run, reaching the quarterfinals before falling to the top-ranked duo from the University of California, Berkeley.

Trojans Showcase Doubles Prowess at ITA West Sectional

Lee and Bradley Advance to Quarterfinals

The USC duo of Karl Lee and Tristan Bradley showcased their doubles prowess at the ITA West Sectional, making a strong push towards an NCAA Individual Championships berth. The pair started their tournament run with a convincing 6-3, 7-5 victory over Valentino De Pellegrin and Victor Sklenka of Idaho State in the Round of 16.Facing off against the top-ranked duo of Carl Emil Overbeck and Theo Dean from the University of California, Berkeley, Lee and Bradley put up a valiant effort but ultimately fell short, losing 6-3, 6-4 in the quarterfinals. Despite the loss, the Trojans' performance demonstrated their ability to compete at the highest level of collegiate doubles tennis.

Singles Competition Proves Challenging for Trojans

In the singles competition, USC's top players faced stiff competition from their opponents. Karl Lee, ranked No. 101 nationally, was defeated by No. 123 Alex Chang of the University of California, Berkeley, in a hard-fought three-set match, 6-3, 7-6(5), 6-1. Lee's run in the main draw came to an end, but he had the opportunity to compete in the consolation bracket, where he was forced to withdraw due to injury.Peter Makk, ranked No. 38 nationally, also struggled in his opening-round match, falling to No. 104 Aadarsh Tripathi of UCLA, 6-2, 6-2. Makk's tournament run came to a close in the consolation quarterfinals, where he was forced to withdraw due to injury.

Trojans Look Ahead to Spring Season

Despite the challenges faced in the singles competition, the Trojans can take solace in their strong doubles performance at the ITA West Sectional. The pairing of Lee and Bradley demonstrated their ability to compete at the highest level, and their experience will undoubtedly prove valuable as the team prepares for the upcoming spring season.As the Trojans shift their focus to the spring, they will look to build on the momentum gained from their fall campaign and make a strong push towards the NCAA Championships. With a talented roster and a proven track record of success, the USC men's tennis team is poised to make a significant impact in the coming months.