In a high-stakes NCAA Super Regional showdown, No. 16 UCLA looked to extend its postseason run and defend its home court against No. 28 USC. The crosstown rivalry brought fireworks to the Los Angeles Tennis Center, with both teams battling for a spot in the NCAA quarterfinals. Despite losing the doubles point, the Bruins roared back in singles, clinching a gritty 4–2 victory to advance in the tournament.
USC struck first in doubles. On court two, Spencer Johnson and Aadarsh Tripathi gave the Bruins a boost with a commanding 6–2 win over Volodymyr Iakubenko and Oscar Weightman. But the Trojans bounced back on court one, as Tristan Bradley and Peter Makk took down Alexander Hoogmartens and Giacomo Revelli, 6–3. The doubles point came down to a tiebreak on court three, where USC’s Connor Church and Nathan Trouve edged Gianluca Ballotta and Emon van Loben Sels, 7–6 (8-6).
Down 1–0, the Bruins responded in singles.
Hoogmartens was first to strike, recovering from a first-set loss to defeat Karl Lee 4–6, 6–3, 6–3 on court four. Kaylan Bigun followed with a 6–2, 3–6, 6–2 win over Weightman on court three, putting the Bruins ahead. Van Loben Sels added a third point for UCLA with a gritty 6–4, 5–7, 6–3 victory over Trouve on court two.
USC’s lone singles point came from Church on court six, as he edged Tripathi in a three-set battle, 7–5, 6–7 (5-7), 6–4. But the Bruins slammed the door on any comeback hopes when Johnson rallied past Iakubenko 6–7 (6-8), 6–4, 6–4 to clinch the match for UCLA.
The match on court one between Rudy Quan and Makk, a top-20 clash, was left unfinished at 7–6 (7-4), 3–6, 3–3.
Match Summary:
#16 UCLA: 4, #28 USC: 2
Doubles:
UCLA Johnson/Tripathi def. USC Iakubenko/Weightman, 6–2
USC Bradley/Makk def. UCLA Hoogmartens/Revelli, 6–3
USC Church/Trouve def. UCLA Ballotta/van Loben Sels, 7–6 (8–6)
Singles:
UCLA Hoogmartens def. USC Lee, 4–6, 6–3, 6–3
UCLA Bigun def. USC Weightman, 6–2, 3–6, 6–2
UCLA van Loben Sels def. USC Trouve, 6–4, 5–7, 6–3
USC Church def. UCLA Tripathi, 7–5, 6–7 (5-7), 6–4
UCLA Johnson def. USC Iakubenko, 6–7 (6-8), 6–4, 6–4
UCLA Quan vs. USC Makk, 7–6 (7-4), 3–6, 3–3 unfinished
What’s Ahead:
With the win, UCLA (19–8) advances to the NCAA Championship quarterfinals. The Bruins will look to carry the momentum of their rivalry triumph as they chase their first national title since 2005.
Gallery:
Players volley at court one. Photographed by Sapna Drew/BruinLife.
The ball is served in the doubles game at court one. Photographed by Sapna Drew/BruinLife.
Alexander Hoogmartens keeps his eyes on the ball as he prepares to swing. Photographed by Sapna Drew/BruinLife.
Rudy Quan darts forward as his opponent sends the ball lower than expected. Photographed by Sapna Drew/BruinLife.
Players huddle before the game begins. Photographed by Sapna Drew/BruinLife.
