USC claimed the doubles point with victories at No. 2, 6-0, and No. 3, 6-2, but seniors Tim Handel and Ruben Montano hung tough with the Trojans’ No. 1 pair. Handel and Montano battled Brandon Holt and Riley Smith – the No. 10 nationally-ranked doubles pair – and trailed just 4-3 when doubles play was called.

Although NAU fought hard in singles, USC’s powerhouse lineup featuring four top-60 players flexed their muscle on their home court. Holt, ranked No. 6 nationally, took down Handel, 6-1, 6-1, on the first court to put the Trojans ahead 2-0.

On court six, No. 57 ranked Tanner Smith followed with a 6-2, 6-3 victory over senior Tom Fisher, and USC clinched the match moments later on court two. Senior Lucas Taylor fell to No. 24 Daniel Cukierman, 6-2, 6-0.

NAU’s two underclassmen in the lineup – sophomore Chris Steele and freshman Facundo Tumosa – did not shy from their competition. Tumosa staved off match point to No. 40 ranked Laurens Verboven as his match went unfinished, while Steele pushed Riley Smith in the closest set of the day before falling 7-5 in the first set of his match.

“This team brought us to the national stage and the experience will be invaluable to the guys returning next season,” Bogusz said. “They’re going to push this program even further.”