Good morning! One of USC’s top defensive backs is receiving high praise ahead of the season opener this Sunday.

What else can you find in today’s edition of The Three Torches?

🎾 The ITA Preseason polls are in
🎥 Trojans Live is back
⚔️ And much, much more!

📈 STOCK UP

🔼 Preseason Polls. Ahead of USC men’s tennis’ fall slate, three Trojans and one duo were placed on the ITA Preseason Rankings. Senior Peter Makk came in as the highest-ranked individual on the team at No. 38 while Karl Lee (No. 101) and Oscar Weightman (No. 102) rounded out the Trojan singles among the poll. In doubles, Makk, alongside partner Volodymyr Iakubenko was ranked as the 38th-best duo in the nation.

On the women’s side, two individuals and three duos cracked the ITA Preseason Rankings. Emma Charney (No. 15) and Grace Piper (No. 36) came in with solid rankings in the singles poll while duos Fairclough/Piper (No. 20), Haddad/Charney (No. 36) and Fry/Sung (No. 44) all came in the top 45 duos in the nation in the ITA Preseason Poll.

🔼 Live on Air. The weekly show, Trojans Live, is returning for the start of the 2024-25 USC Athletic Year. On the most recent episode, check out interviews with Lincoln Riley, offensive lineman Jonah Monheim, and volleyball’s Ally Batenhorst.

🎥 Watch the latest episode of Trojans Live

🔼 Ready To Work. An ACC champion and All-ACC first-team selection as a student-athlete at Virginia, Larkin Brown has taken her collegiate rowing experience to the coaching realm. After working with USRowing's Olympic Development Program, Brown is set to serve as an assistant coach at USC on head coach Kelsie Chaudoin's staff.

🗣️ "She is hard-working, bright, tenacious and mature beyond her years, and has a great sense of humor to boot. Larkin is also a straight shooter who has the ability to connect and inspire everyone around her, and I am certain she will be an asset to the young women on the team here at USC.” - Kelsie Chaudoin, head coach

Today’s Top Tier Performance presented by ARCO goes to USC women’s tennis single Emma Charney. Following the release of the ITA Preseason Rankings, Charney is the highest-ranked singles player across both USC tennis teams, coming in at No. 15 in the nation.

🏈 FIRE UP THE GRILL

Tackle this tailgate season with savings on chips, dips, snacks, drinks, ice and supplies, only at Smart & Final. Where Else?

🏈 COUNTDOWN TO KICKOFF

4 days until kickoff, Trojan Family!

With just days left until the Trojans open the season against LSU, be sure to check out the brand new series, Only USC. The series will be full of stories told directly from the players.

🗣️ SPREAD THE WORD

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📅 THE WEEK AHEAD

*All times Pacific

Friday, August 30
🏃 Cross Country @ Pepperdine Waves Invitational in Malibu, CA
🏐 Volleyball vs. Pepperdine @ 6:00pm in Malibu, CA | ESPN+

Saturday, August 31
⚽️ Soccer vs. Portland @ 4:00pm in Portland, OR | ESPN+
🏐 Volleyball vs. Pepperdine @ 6:00pm in Malibu, CA | ESPN+

Sunday, September 1
🏈 Football vs. LSU @ 4:30pm in Las Vegas, NV | Tickets

⚔️ Click here to view the full USC Trojan Athletics Calendar

⚔️ Have a great Wednesday, everyone!