Nebraska, Ohio State, USC Bestowed Men’s Tennis Weekly Honors

ROSEMONT, Ill. – The Big Ten Conference has announced its men’s tennis weekly awards for matches played January 22-25, 2026.

Player of the Week
Alexander Bernard, Ohio State
Sr. – Bonita Springs, Fla.

• Went 2-0 and won 18-of-24 games (.818) in helping No. 6 Ohio State to an ITA Kickoff Weekend regional title with shutout wins (4-0) over North Alabama and Purdue
• Teamed with Alex Okonkwo to register a 6-0 bagel (and the doubles point) over the 73rd-ranked duo of Alberto Altur and Izan Orgiles from North Alabama
• Won in straight sets at No. 4 singles against Purdue in the regional final
• The All-Big Ten First Team performer captures his second career Big Ten Player of the Week Award, having previously been recognized on April 9, 2025
• Becomes the fifth different Buckeye to win a Player of the Week Award this season

Co-Freshman of the Week
Jeri Lassila, Nebraska
Fr. – Sipoo, Finland

• Posted a 3-0 overall record and won 30-of-39 games (.769) for Nebraska in dual wins over Memphis and Drake at the Dillon Tennis Center in Lincoln
• Won Nebraska’s first match of the day (at No. 4 singles) to help the Cornhuskers rally from a 3-0 deficit in a 4-3 victory over Memphis
• Dropped just three games in recording wins at No. 3 singles and No. 3 doubles against Drake, helping clinch the doubles point
• Secures his second Freshman of the Week Award of the season
• Last Nebraska player named Freshman of the Week: Jeri Lassila (Oct. 15, 2025)

Co-Freshman of the Week
Max Exsted, USC
Fr. – Savage, Minn.

• Went undefeated (3-0) for No. 21 USC at the ITA Kickoff Weekend, Jan. 23-24, in Berkeley, Calif.
• Won two matches in USC’s 4-1 win over No. 15 California in the consolation match
• Rallied from a set down to defeat Cal’s Bernardo Munk Mesa, 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 at No. 4 singles; partnered with Nathan Trouvé for a 6-4 win at No. 3 doubles
• Collects his second Freshman of the Week honor on the year
• Last USC player named Freshman of the Week: Max Exsted (Jan. 14, 2026)

2025-26 Big Ten Men’s Tennis Player of the Week
Sept. 17       
P: Ozan Baris, Sr., MSU
F: Adam Jilly, Fr., ILL

Sept. 24       
P: Nikita Filin, So., OSU
F: —

Oct. 1          
P: Aidan Kim, Jr., OSU
F: Sam Olszakowski, ORE

Oct. 8          
P: Nicholas Steglehner, Sr., MICH
F: Arnav Bhandari, Fr., MICH

Oct. 15        
P: Sam Landau, Sr., IND
F: Jeri Lassila, Fr., NEB

Oct. 22        
P: Spencer Johnson, Jr., UCLA
F: Max Dahlin, R-Fr., MICH

Oct. 29        
P: —
F: —

Nov. 5         
P: David Saye, Sr., MSU
F: —

Nov. 12       
P: Jack Anthrop, Sr., OSU
F: Max Dahlin, R-Fr., MICH

Jan. 14         
P: Bjorn Swenson, Sr., MICH
F: Max Exsted, Fr., USC

Jan. 21         
P: Alex Okonkwo, Jr., OSU
F: Sasha Colleu, Fr., ILL

Jan. 28         
P: Alexander Bernard, Sr., OSU
F: Jeri Lassila, Fr., NEB
F: Max Exsted, Fr., USC