This past week the No. 17 ranked men’s tennis team took on the No. 3 ranked University of Southern California Trojans. The match was held in Los Angeles, and pitted two of the most talented tennis programs in the nation. This was the first time in the history of the two programs that they have played each other.

Michael Crouse/Old Gold & Black

On this historic day, it became apparent early that the Trojans of USC were better equipped to handle the blustering winds of their home court. The Deacons played well, but the home-court advantage played into the hands of USC.  The Demon Deacons were faced with their backs against the wall from the very beginning.

The Trojans doubles dominated the pairs sent out by Wake, until Danny Kreyman and Zach Leslie won the first victory of the day for the Deacons.  However, it was too little too late as the Trojans had already secured the doubles point.

The Trojans then went on to win the first two singles games, extending the point-deficit for the Demon Deacons to 3-0.  The Deacons were never able to fully recover, as they lost for just the third time all season.

The highlight of the day for Wake Forest was the victory of senior Steve Forman over one of the nation’s most talented singles players, Robert Farah, in straight sets.

Senior Jason Morgenstern also had a strong showing for the Deacs, as he defeated USC’s JT Sundling; 6-4, 3-6, 7-5.

The freshman duo of Kreyman and Leslie continued to dominate, as they have all season with an 8-7 victory, thus bringing their season record to a solid three wins and one loss.

Jonathan Wolff played well for Wake Forest, despite losing a tough match to Jaak Poldma of USC.  Though the Deacons had a number of bright spots throughout the match, USC was just too talented.

The Deacons were bent with frustration as junior Jonathan Wolff received two unsportsmanlike misconduct penalties, costing him a point, which would force him into a tiebreak he would later lose.

Though it was just the first time the Wake Forest Demon Deacons have faced the USC Trojans in men’s tennis, look for some great contests within the next couple years.

The loss brought the Deacons record to 6-3, while the Trojans improve to 13-1. The Deacons have been playing well though, facing one of the toughest schedules in the nation.

“The score was closer than it seemed. We really could’ve won it,” freshman Tripper Carleton said.