LOS ANGELES – No. 8 San Diego men's tennis produced its second 5-2 win over a top-20 opponent to start the season, knocking off No. 19 USC on the road on Sunday evening.

"Unreal day and great win for this program," Toreros Head Coach Ryan Keckley said.
 
After a heartbreaking defeat to the Trojans in USD's first ever home regional of the NCAA Tournament last May, this match meant a little bit more to Toreros. San Diego hadn't beaten USC in Los Angeles since 2006.

"It's been two painful decades and many long, frustrating drives home during my 11 years here."
 
20 years later, the Toreros used the past as fuel and got straight to work.

"To capture this day with this group who gives so much to this university says it all."
 
In doubles play, the Dutch duo freshman Manvydas Balciunas and redshirt-senior Stian Klaassen on court two and the tandem of freshman Vincent Marysko and senior Ollie Tarvet both took care of their matches, 6-2.
 
Tarvet didn't let off the gas in singles play, dominating his opponent on main court, 6-0, 6-1, dropping just one game to double the USD lead. Next, it was the young Balciunas, who also took his match in straight sets, 7-5, 6-2 on court three.
 
It was sophomore Adrien Berrut at No. 6 singles who clinched the team victory, winning 7-5, 6-4 to make it 4-0 Toreros, what would've been a sweep if not for the remaining matches being determined to be played out.

"Our passion, unity and competitiveness continues to give us the edge as we look to improve our tennis week-in and week-out this semester."
 
In those remaining matches, Klaassen made it 5-0 turning around a first set tiebreak loss into a third set tiebreak marathon win, 6-7 (3-7), 6-3 [12-10]. The hosts would take the remaining two courts, however, settling the final score at 5-2 San Diego.

"USC is a talented, young team and they will continue to improve as the year progresses," added Keckley. "The learning curve for college tennis is steep and experience typically trumps all. Our experience with doubles along with the senior led group put USD in a successful position two hours into this match."
 
Results
# 8 San Diego 5, #19 USC 2
 
DOUBLES
1. Andrin Casanova/Jack McCarthy (USC) vs. #71 Lambert Ruland/Adrien Berrut (USD), 3-4 unfinished
2. Manvydas Balciunas/Stian Klaassen (USD) def. Connor Church/Nathan Trouve (USC), 6-2
3. Oliver Tarvet/Vincent Marysko (USD) def. Branko Djuric/Max Exsted (USC), 6-2
 
SINGLES
1. Oliver Tarvet (USD) def. Branko Djuric (USC) 6-0, 6-1
2. Nathan Trouve (USC) def. Vincent Marysko (USD) 5-7, 6-3, 7-6 (3)
3. Manvydas Balciunas (USD) def. Jack McCarthy (USC) 7-5, 6-2
4. Stian Klaassen (USD) def. Max Exsted (USC) 6-7 (3), 6-3, 1-0 (12-10)
5. Niels Hoffmann (USC) def. Neo Niedner (USD) 5-7, 6-2, 1-0 (10-4)
6. Adrien Berrut (USD) def. Andrin Casanova (USC) 7-5, 6-4

Order of finish – Doubles: 2,3*; Singles: 1, 3, 6*, 4, 5, 2

Up Next
San Diego men's tennis continues its strong schedule to start the season hosting an ITA Kick-Off Weekend regional for the first time in program history, looking to get back to the ITA National Team Indoor Championships in a second straight year. The Toreros will host Arizona State on Friday, Jan. 23 at 1:30 p.m. at Hogan Tennis Center before facing either Princeton or Miami in the regional final or consolation match on Saturday.