In a thrilling and hard-fought showdown at the Galen Center on Friday night, the USC Trojans women’s volleyball team clashed with their arch-rivals, the UCLA Bruins. The match concluded with the Bruins emerging victorious in a closely contested five-set battle, winning 3-2. This defeat leaves USC and UCLA with identical 18-12 records, but the Trojans maintain a stronger Pac-12 record of 12-8, compared to UCLA’s 10-10 Pac-12 performance.
Key Takeaways:
- USC Trojans women’s volleyball team suffered a heart-wrenching five-set loss to arch-rivals UCLA Bruins.
- Despite the defeat, USC holds a superior Pac-12 record at 12-8, securing the fifth position in the intra-conference rankings.
- Skylar Fields, a standout 6’2″ senior outside hitter, delivered an outstanding performance with 21 kills and two blocks.
The Galen Center was electrifying as both teams battled fiercely for supremacy. UCLA managed to secure an edge with more kills, attempts, hitting percentage, points, and assists. The Bruins dominated the statistics with 67 kills to USC’s 62, 155 attempts to 150, a hitting percentage of 29.7% compared to USC’s 27.3%, as well as more accrued points (87-81) and assists (62-57).
Skylar Fields, a prominent figure in USC’s lineup, once again proved her worth. The 2022 AVCA All-America First Team and 2022 Pac-12 All-Conference Team honoree showcased her skills with an impressive 21 kills and two blocks, leading the Trojans in a valiant effort.
Apart from Fields, two other Trojans displayed remarkable performances. The 6’1″ redshirt sophomore middle linebacker, Tyrah Ariail, contributed significantly with 13 kills, four blocks, and an ace. Meanwhile, 5’10” freshman outside hitter, London Wijay, added 11 kills, two blocks, and one ace to the Trojans’ efforts.
The Trojans may have fallen short in this thrilling encounter, but their competitive spirit and determination remain unwavering. As the season progresses, USC looks forward to bouncing back and making a strong statement in the Pac-12 conference.
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