MALIBU, Calif. (Feb. 3, 2026) — The University of South Florida Men's Tennis team picked up two strong singles victories, but ultimately fell 2-5 to No. 25 Pepperdine on Tuesday afternoon in Malibu.

South Florida earned its first point of the day at the No. 2 singles position, where Elijah Cham delivered a straight-set win over Lasse Poertner, 6-3, 6-3. The Bulls added another singles point shortly after as Stepan Mruzek took care of business at No. 3 singles, defeating Maxi Homberg 6-3, 6-3 to even the momentum.

Despite the Bulls' success in the middle of the lineup, Pepperdine secured the remaining singles points to clinch the match. The Waves also claimed the doubles point after winning two completed matches, with one contest left unfinished.

The Bulls will return to action on February 10, traveling to face Miami in a highly anticipated in-state showdown.

Match Results vs. No. 25 Pepperdine

Doubles
USF Car/Newton vs. #53 Pepperdine Pisaric/Poertner, unfinished (5–3)
Pepperdine Winter/Winter def. USF Mroz/Danesi, 6–3
Pepperdine Homberg/Almeida def. USF Gaillard/Mruzek, 6–2

Singles
#88 Pepperdine E. Winter def. #28 USF Car, 6–4, 6–4
USF Cham def. Pepperdine Poertner, 6–3, 6–3
USF Mruzek def. Pepperdine Homberg, 6–3, 6–3
Pepperdine Almeida def. USF Danesi, 7–5, 6–3
#61 Pepperdine Pisaric def. USF Verdese, 6–4, 6–0
Pepperdine H. Winter def. USF Gaillard, 6–2, 6–4

About USF Men's Tennis

Be sure to follow USF men's tennis on social media (Twitter / Facebook / Instagram) and visit GoUSFBulls.com for the most up-to-date information.

Head coach Ashley Fisher is in his ninth year at the helm of the program for the 2025-26 season. Fischer has guided the Bulls to four NCAA Tournaments, including three trips to the second round. He was named the American Athletic Conference Coach of the Year in 2017 & 2019 after leading USF to the conference title in each of those seasons.

– #Go Bulls –