IRVINE, Calif. - The USC men's volleyball team, ranked fifth in the nation, found their groove again by sweeping Concordia in a decisive road victory. With this win, the Trojans snapped a three-match losing streak, dominating the Golden Eagles in straight sets (25-17, 25-12, 25-18) at CU Arena.
Key Players Making Waves
Freshman outside hitter Cooper Keane was nothing short of spectacular, racking up a career-best 15.5 points. He hit an impressive .714 with 10 kills on just 14 swings, adding five service aces, a block, three digs, and two assists to his standout performance.
Sophomore outside hitter Sterling Foley was also in top form, reaching double-digit kills for the sixth time this season. He posted 11 kills with a .529 hitting percentage, along with six digs and a block, totaling 11.5 points.
Senior outside hitter Dillon Klein contributed with eight kills, hitting .385, and added three digs, three blocks, and a service ace for 10.5 points.
Junior setter Caleb Blanchette orchestrated the offense with 27 assists, adding four digs, three blocks, two kills, and a service ace to reach a season-high 4.5 points.
Sophomore libero Johnny Dykstra was solid on defense with five digs and four assists.
Redshirt sophomore middle blocker Wesley Smith was a force at the net, scoring eight points with five kills on five attempts and leading the match with four blocks, including two solo efforts.
For Concordia, Logan Whitaker led with seven kills, while Paul Schulteis added six kills and three service aces. Whitaker and Joseph Nunez each contributed four digs, and Matt Fisher tallied 20 assists with a service ace.
How the Match Unfolded
USC's offensive firepower was on full display, achieving a season-high .559 hitting percentage with 39 kills on 59 attacks. The Trojans' defense was equally impressive, limiting Concordia to a .100 hitting percentage. USC dominated across the board with more assists, digs, blocks, and service aces than the Golden Eagles, sealing the sweep.
The Trojans started strong, leading from start to finish in the first set, claiming a 25-17 victory. Foley was instrumental with five kills, and the team hit .500 in the set.
In the second set, USC's efficiency soared as they cruised to a 25-12 win. They hit .667 with 15 kills on 21 swings, led by Keane and Klein with five kills each. Foley added four kills and three digs, while the defense held Concordia to a .111 hitting rate.
The third set was a battle, featuring 10 tie scores and five lead changes. However, USC's defense stood tall, with Smith's two solo blocks leading the way. The Trojans clinched the set 25-18, hitting .500 and outlasting Concordia's efforts.
Looking Ahead
USC is set to face No. 15 Penn State in their final nonconference match on Saturday at the Galen Center.
The Nittany Lions, coming off a loss to No. 6 Pepperdine, will provide a challenging matchup for the Trojans.
Match Notes
- USC improved to 17-6 all-time against Concordia, marking their ninth consecutive win over the Golden Eagles.
- The Trojans are now 3-1 in road matches this season.
- This victory ended a three-match losing streak for USC.
For more details on USC men's volleyball, including schedules and results, visit USCTrojans.com/MVB. Follow @USCMensVolley on social media for updates and highlights.