OJAI, Calif. -
For the seventh time in program history the
USC
Trojans are crowned the 2023 Pac-12 Men's Tennis Champions after a 4-2 takedown of No. 3
Utah
. The seven-time champs now hold an all-time Championship record of
24-4.
The Trojans are walking away with the conference's automatic NCAA berth after their fourth consecutive Championship title ('22,'21,'19). The Trojans will learn their postseason fate during the NCAA Selection Show on May 1 at 6:30 p.m. PT.
The Championship battle began with the Utes capturing the doubles point with wins on courts two (
Franco
Capalbo
/
Geronimo Espin Busleiman
- 7-5) and three (
Fransisco Bastias
/
Bruno Caula
- 6-4) to put the score at 1-0 in Utah's favor. Utes
Patrik Trhac and
Berk Bugarikj and Trojans,
Brad Frye and Learner Tien had a close back-and-fourth match at the top spot with USC pulling away with a sole
7-6 (3) doubles win.
Despite the early 0-1 deficit, the Trojans wasted no time getting themselves on the board with
Lodewijk Weststrate getting a quick 6-2, 6-1 win on court 6 to start the Trojan momentum.
Peter Makk
(6-1, 6-1) and
Stefan Dostanic
(6-0, 6-4) followed hot in pursuit putting the Trojans up 3-2.
On court five, the Utes battled to keep themselves in the running for the title, thanks to
Patrik Trhac
6-4, 6-2 victory, bringing things down to the No. 2 and No. 4 spots. Courtesy of
Wojtek Marek
and a 6-3, 6-4 clinch on court No. 4, the Trojans claimed the 2023 Pac-12 Championship title.
Championships // Saturday, April 29 // Libbey Park
Match 8: No. 1 USC 4 vs No. 3 Utah 2
DOUBLES
1. Brad Frye/Learner Tien (USC) def. Patrik Trhac/Berk Bugarikj (UTAH) 7-6 (3)
2. Franco Capalbo/Geronimo Espin Busleiman (UTAH) def. Ryan Colby/Stefan Dostanic (USC) 7-5
3. Fransisco Bastias/Bruno Caula (UTAH) def. Wojtek Marek/Peter Makk 6-4
Order of finish: 1, 3, 2
SINGLES
1. Stefan Dostanic (USC) def. Franco Capalbo (UTAH) 6-0, 6-4
2. Learner Tien (USC) v. Geronimo Espin Busleiman (UTAH) 4-6, 6-4, unf.
3. Peter Makk (USC) def. Fransisco Bastias (UTAH) 6-1, 6-1
4. Wojtek Marek (USC) def. Bruno Caula (UTAH) 6-3, 6-4
5. Patrik Trhac (UTAH) def. Brad Frye (USC) 6-4, 6-2
6. Lodewijk Weststrate (USC) def. Bruno Krenn (UTAH) 6-2, 6-1
Order of finish: 6, 3, 1, 5, 4