No. 22 USC women’s volleyball struggled against a persistent UCSB team but were ultimately able to outlast the Gauchos to protect home court.
With six underclassmen in the starting lineup, USC’s young core was integral to last night’s win.
Freshman opposite hitter Abigail Mullen led all players with 22 kills and 27 total points. Mullen also contributed five blocks, eight digs and two service aces. Her 22-kill performance marked a season high for USC and the highest by a Trojan since Ally Batenhorst, who recorded 22 kills at Northwestern last season.
Redshirt sophomore outside hitter London Wijay added nine kills on a .350 hitting percentage with one ace and one block. Redshirt freshman outside hitter Brooklyn Tealer also had a breakout night recording nine kills while hitting .333.
Freshman setter Reese Messer distributed 47 assists and recorded 11 digs for her second double-double of the season. She also had four blocks and one kill.
USC won the first set 25-21 after nine ties, hitting .273 in the frame. However, the Gauchos evened the match with a 25-21 second-set victory following 13 ties and seven lead changes, hitting .306.
UCSB took a 2-1 match lead with a 25-20 third-set win, holding USC to .037 hitting while recording seven blocks. The Trojans forced a fifth set with a gritty 25-19 fourth-set victory, led by Mullen’s seven kills on .500 hitting.
In the deciding set, USC won 15-13 with Wijay delivering the match-winning kill. USC recorded 3.5 blocks in the final frame while holding UCSB to .000 hitting.
The victory extended USC’s winning streak over the Gauchos to seven matches, improving the all-time series to 30-9. USC improved to 3-0 under head coach Brad Keller for just the second time, matching his 2022 start.
“I know it was a tough loss for them but it was a gritty and tough one we had to deal with,” Keller said. “We went through a lot today. I didn’t think it was wonderful or beautiful, but I thought it was necessary.
USC out-hit UCSB .220 to .143 and recorded more kills (56-53) and blocks (14.5-14). Both teams served six aces, but UCSB held onto a 63-52 advantage in digs.