USC Men's Tennis Team Captures National Indoors Team Title

The USC men's tennis team may need a bigger trophy case.

The three-time defending NCAA national champions added another big win on Monday in Charlottesville, Virginia, as the team won the ITA National Team Indoor Championship. It was the first time the team won this title since 1988.

USC entered the tournament riding a 26-game winning streak. So when was the last time the Trojans lost?

Last year at the National Indoor Championships. Needless to say, USC was eager to erase that memory.

It was not an easy victory. The two teams were deadlocked 3-3, and it was all in Yannick Hanfmann's hands for the Trojans.

And the freshman didn't disappoint. After dropping the first set 3-6, Hanfmann fought back to win the next two, 6-3, 6-4, giving the Trojans the title.

For the first time all season, the Trojans found themselves in a 1-0 hole early in the match. Fortunately for them, USC senior Daniel Nguyen quickly erased that deficit. The singles star won his match convincingly, 6-1, 6-2 over Peter Kobelt.

The match continued to go back and forth. Sophomore Emilio Gomez game USC a 2-1 lead after knocking off Ille Van Engelen 6-4, 6-4, but shortly after, Eric Johnson lost his match for the Trojans to Connor Smith, and the teams were once again tied.

Next up was USC star Steve Johnson. He beat No. 16 Chase Buchanan, giving the Trojans the 3-2 lead and marking his 46th consecutive singles victory. USC's Ray Sarmiento followed up Johnson's win with a loss, putting all the weight on that final match.

The 11-0 Trojans do not have much time to celebrate. They are already back in action this weekend when they host San Diego St. and San Diego on Friday.