Coming off a loss to Colorado and a win over Utah last weekend, the USC women’s volleyball team was both ready to be back at home and prepared for a potentially challenging matchup on Friday. Arizona, though ranked last in the Pac-12, is known to be a physical team. That was proven on Friday night at the Galen Center: Arizona fought back, and though the Trojans won 3-0 (16-25, 18-25, 20-25), they were tested defensively.
The first and second sets were a constant back-and-forth, with both teams racking up points through kills and offensive errors. In the first set alone, junior setter Mia Tuaniga had two aces and 10 assists. Yet, somehow, Arizona was able to match their intensity.
For a moment, it seemed like it could have been anyone’s game. But as expected, USC bounced back and pushed even harder. In the second half of both sets, USC upped its game and stopped Arizona’s rhythm. Though still lacking a perfectly polished defense, the Trojans were able to defend their now 9-0 record at home through pure grit and determination.
“The attention to detail, the urgency, the push for every single point and the grind that I expect the group to do — they’ve done it all week in practice. I expect them to do it on Sunday, and I was very, very encouraged with the level that we played at. I thought we made a lot of really cool plays,” head coach Brad Keller said.
Senior outside hitter Skylar Fields had herself a great game, notching 24 of the team’s 40 kills and hitting .512. Fields is approaching 2,000 career kills, an incredible milestone for such a hardworking player.
“Our team goal for going into this game was like heavy communication,” Fields said after the game. And for the next one? “I think we’re definitely gonna keep focusing on our side of the net. We know that ASU plays one of the fastest offenses in the Pac, so just really being good on defense and being disciplined.”
Two additional contributors to the Trojans’ success were freshman outside hitter London Wijay and sophomore libero Megan Verbiest. Wijay has proven herself to be a vital member of this team, with six kills to her name for the night and a fearlessness that shows itself every time she steps on the court. Verbiest radiated confidence, coming on for the first time in the second set to score her first of two aces.
In between the second and third sets, in honor of Homecoming Weekend, the 1980 and 1981 USC women’s volleyball national champions were honored. These alumni were in Galen to watch the present and future of the program to which they brought so much prestige.
The third set was rougher, with Arizona coming back to exploit obvious holes in USC’s defense. It took time, and certainly some motivational words, but the Trojans were able take their 12-7 deficit and turn it around. What is most important looking forward is how they will strengthen their defense to keep future opponents from capitalizing off of gaps and mistakes.
Keller emphasized how hard the team has been working on their defense over the past three weeks.
“On defense, you get to actually set up something and try to do something or create the pattern you want,” Keller said. “So, we’ve just spent so much time over there and been vulnerable about what’s acceptable and what’s not and just hammering those situations over and over again.”
The Trojans have had a tough season, grappling with the loss of players and injuries sidelining players for the entire year. One of the players they lost? Sophomore outside hitter Jordan Wilson, who spent her first year at USC before transferring to Arizona. In her first match back at Galen, Wilson proved to be a difficult opponent, always ready to go for the kill or make a block.
But Keller had nothing but compliments for his team and their ability to bounce back from what has been quite a difficult season. “I think they’re resilient and I love that about them. They don’t give up, they don’t quit and at the end of the day… they always show up.”
The Trojans play again at the Galen Center on Sunday at 2 p.m., this time against No. 15 Arizona State. Expect a tense match.
“It’s going to be a war,” Keller said.