USC Women's Tennis: Season Finale Showdowns Against Big Ten Opponents

Apr 16, 2025 at 12:00 AM
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The USC women’s tennis team, currently ranked sixteenth nationally, is set to conclude its regular season with a series of challenging matches against Big Ten Conference teams. Following a successful 2-0 weekend, the Women of Troy will face off against No. 19 UCLA in a high-stakes rivalry match on April 16 at the Los Angeles Tennis Center. Subsequently, they will return home to Marks Stadium for back-to-back matches against Rutgers and Maryland. This final stretch of the season also marks Senior Day for four graduating players—Parker Fry, Grace Piper, Maia Sung, and Sloane Morra—who will be honored before Saturday’s doubles action. The Trojans have demonstrated strong performances this season, achieving victories over top-tier teams like No. 7 Texas and No. 19 Wisconsin.

On Wednesday, April 16, the Women of Troy will engage in an intense Battle for LA against their long-standing rivals, UCLA. Historically, these matchups have been fiercely contested, with the last encounter lasting nearly five hours. In that match, USC narrowly triumphed 4-3 over the Bruins. To secure another victory, USC must rely heavily on its ranked singles players and doubles teams. Among them are junior Emma Charney, senior Grace Piper, and sophomore Immi Haddad, who have consistently performed well throughout the season. Meanwhile, UCLA boasts several highly-ranked players, including Anne Christine Lutkemeyer and Kate Fakih, presenting formidable challenges for the Trojans.

Following the UCLA match, USC will host Rutgers on Friday in what promises to be a more accessible contest. Although unranked, Rutgers has shown resilience, maintaining a respectable record despite facing tough competition within the Big Ten. With no ranked singles or doubles players, the Scarlet Knights may provide USC an opportunity to refine their strategies ahead of the final match.

Saturday’s clash against Maryland concludes the regular season and serves as a tribute to the graduating seniors. Despite being ranked lower than USC at No. 56, Maryland has demonstrated solid performance with a 14-9 overall record. Similar to Rutgers, Maryland lacks any ranked singles or doubles players, which could favor the Trojans if they execute effectively. Additionally, fans attending Saturday’s match will receive a commemorative ‘Victory is our Tradition’ t-shirt, celebrating the team’s legacy.

As the season draws to a close, the USC women’s tennis team aims to build momentum heading into post-season play. By honoring their seniors and capitalizing on their strengths, the Trojans hope to end the regular season on a high note. Their ability to adapt and perform under pressure will be crucial in determining their success against these upcoming opponents.