In a dominant display at the Galen Center, the fourth-ranked USC men's volleyball team continued their impressive run, sweeping Menlo in straight sets (25-14, 25-11, 25-20). This victory marked the Trojans' 15th consecutive set win, setting a new high under head coach Jeff Nygaard.
Key Players:
Freshman outside hitter Cooper Keane was a standout, racking up 16 points with 13 kills and hitting a remarkable .500. He also led the team with eight digs, added two blocks, and served two aces, showcasing his all-around game.
Sophomore outside hitter Sterling Foley was nearly flawless, contributing six kills on just eight attempts for a .750 hitting percentage.
Senior outside hitter Dillon Klein added five kills, three service aces, and a block, while sophomore outside hitter Christian Connell chipped in with four kills, two blocks, and an ace.
Junior setter Caleb Blanchette orchestrated the offense with 17 assists, adding four digs, a block, and an ace in just two sets of play.
Sophomore libero Johnny Dykstra was solid defensively with seven digs and an assist.
Redshirt sophomore middle blocker Wesley Smith dominated at the net with six blocks, adding three kills and an assist.
Junior middle blocker Thiago Zamprogno was efficient, hitting .500 with four kills on six swings, along with four digs, a block, and a service ace.
For Menlo, Max Jarrett led with 12 kills, while former Trojan Joshua Friedman provided 19 assists.
Game Recap:
USC's offensive firepower was on full display, hitting .448 compared to Menlo's .039. The Trojans outperformed the Oaks in every major statistical category, including kills (37-21), assists (36-21), digs (30-20), blocks (7-4), and service aces (8-1).
In the opening set, USC took control early, hitting .500 with 15 kills and just three errors. Keane was instrumental with six kills, while Klein added four. The Trojans' defense was equally impressive, limiting Menlo to a .100 hitting percentage.
The second set saw USC elevate their game further, achieving a flawless .684 hitting percentage with 13 kills and no errors. Dykstra's four digs and Smith's four blocks were key in holding Menlo to a negative hitting percentage.
The third set was more competitive, but USC maintained their edge, with Keane and Connell each contributing four kills. Menlo struggled with seven hitting errors, sealing the sweep for the Trojans.
Looking Ahead:
USC will face Menlo again on Saturday in a rematch at 5 p.m. PT, broadcast live on Big Ten Plus.
Match Notes:
With this win, USC improved to 3-0 against Menlo and continued their unbeaten streak at Galen Center this season. This was their ninth 3-0 sweep of the year, extending their set-winning streak to 15, the longest since 2012. The Trojans have consistently hit above .300, with this match marking the eighth time they surpassed the .400 mark.
For more updates on the USC men's volleyball team, visit USCTrojans.com/MVB and follow their social media channels.