After a disappointing 0-3 loss to the No. 2 Nebraska Cornhuskers, No. 21 USC (10-3, 2-1 Big Ten) bounced back in a hard-fought five-set victory over the Michigan Wolverines (12-2, 2-1).
The Trojans got off to a slow start in the match, losing the first set 25-15. Led by their talented sophomore opposite hitter Valentina Vaulet with six kills, the Wolverines dominated as there were no lead changes or tie scores. It was a complete team effort from the Wolverines as outside hitters Kendyl Reaugh and Allison Jacobs were each responsible for four kills allowing an impressive 87% attack percentage.
It looked to be more of the same in the second set as Michigan got off early with a six-point run giving them a 7-3 lead. After exchanging scores, the Trojans would go on a run of their own to give them a 15-13 lead, with redshirt junior middle blocker Tyrah Arial scoring two of their six points.
The two teams would go on to exchange scores, and a kill by SC graduate outside hitter Ally Batenhorst would bring the Trojans to within one with the score 21-20. But it was a four-point run capped off by a Morgan Burke service ace that gave Michigan the set.
Now down 2-0 in the match, the Trojans needed to rally if they wanted to avoid being swept for the second time in five days.
Moving into the third set, the Wolverines once again jumped out to an early 9-6 lead. However, there was a clear sense of urgency from the Trojans as nice play from Arial and Batenhorst allowed USC to stay within arms reach down 18-20.
Then it was Batenhorst, the star grad transfer from Nebraska, who completely took over scoring four of the Trojan’s last seven to win the set 25-22.
The fourth set was much like the second and third, two great teams going back and forth, each looking to pull away from the other; and as the set came closer to its conclusion, it looked like Michigan would do just that.
Up 23-19, the Wolverines appeared to have to match in the bag. But a Michigan service error eventually led to a four-point Trojan run capped off by an ace from senior setter Mia Tuaniga that brought the score even at 23. From then on it was all SC, with Batenhorst coming away with her second set-winning kill.
Now even at 2-2, USC managed to claw its way out of a 0-2 hole and now looked to have the momentum to complete the comeback. But similar to the rest of the match up to this point, it was not done without drama.
Michigan once again pulled away early in the fifth set, storming out to an 11-5 lead. But perhaps it was nerves that forced Michigan to commit back-to-back errors that gave SC the life that they needed.
The Trojans found a way to score three in a row, tying the set at 11. After an attack error from SC gave Michigan a 12-11 lead, the Trojans never looked back. Arial was the late-game hero, as two outstanding blocks and a service ace sealed the game for the Trojans.
After the come-from-behind win, head coach Brad Keller didn’t hold back in heaping praise on his team.
“I think our leadership group did a fantastic job staying the course,” he said. “There’s no reason to win a match when you’re down 11-5 in the fifth set.”
Coach Keller and the Trojans now look ahead to Saturday’s match against No. 12 Minnesota at the Galen Center.