USC Men’s Volleyball Stays Hot, Downs No. 18 Princeton Behind Dillon Klein’s Dominant Night
LOS ANGELES - The USC men’s volleyball team is off to a fast start this season, and Friday night at Galen Center, they showed exactly why they’re one of the top-ranked squads in the country. In a four-set battle against No. 18 Princeton, the fifth-ranked Trojans (3-0) leaned on senior outside hitter Dillon Klein’s monster performance to secure a 25-17, 20-25, 26-24, 25-18 win.
Let’s break it down.
Dillon Klein: Unstoppable
There are good games, and then there are statement games. Klein delivered the latter.
The senior racked up a season-high 30.5 points, fueled by 27 kills on just 40 swings. That’s a staggering .650 hitting percentage with only one error - a level of efficiency that’s nearly unheard of at this volume.
He added seven digs, three blocks, and two aces to round out a complete performance.
This wasn’t just another night at the office for Klein. It marked his 64th career match with double-digit kills and his eighth time going for 20-plus. He’s not just producing - he’s leading.
Middle Muscle: Wesley Smith Steps Up
Redshirt sophomore middle blocker Wesley Smith brought the heat as well, tying his career high with 15.0 points. He was flawless on the attack, going 10-for-17 with no errors (.588 hitting percentage), and matched his personal best with eight blocks, including two solos. Smith’s presence at the net was a major factor in USC’s first double-digit block outing of the spring.
Setting the Table: Caleb Blanchette in Control
Junior setter Caleb Blanchette was the engine behind USC’s .438 team hitting percentage. He dished out 49 assists, keeping the Trojans’ offense humming all night. He also chipped in nine digs, a block, and two service aces - a steady, all-around performance that helped USC stay in rhythm even when Princeton pushed back.
Supporting Cast Delivers
Sophomore outside hitter Christian Connell added nine kills while hitting .300, along with four digs, a block, and a service ace. Sophomore libero Johnny Dykstra notched eight digs and an assist, helping anchor the back row.
Princeton Brings the Fight
To their credit, the Tigers didn’t go quietly. Owen Mellon led Princeton with 20 kills, Andrew Werner added 14, and Ambrose Engling chipped in nine.
Setter Nolan Kelly kept them in it with 52 assists, six digs, two blocks, and three aces. Princeton hit a strong .360 overall, but USC’s firepower and depth ultimately proved too much.
Set-by-Set Breakdown
Set 1: USC Comes Out Swinging
The Trojans came out blazing, hitting .800 in the opening frame with 12 kills on 15 swings and zero errors.
Klein and Smith were perfect in their early touches, and USC’s block - led by Smith and Cooper Keane - made life tough for Princeton. The Trojans took the set 25-17 and looked in full control.
Set 2: Princeton Punches Back
Princeton flipped the script in the second.
The Tigers never trailed, hitting a blistering .577 with just one error. USC kept pace offensively, but six attack errors and five Princeton blocks proved costly.
Despite another eight kills from Klein, the Trojans dropped the set 25-20.
Set 3: A Gritty Response
This one was a battle.
Eleven ties, five lead changes, and plenty of tense moments. But USC dug in, and Klein took over - again.
He dropped 10 kills on 13 swings (.692), and Connell and Smith chipped in timely points. The Trojans also tightened up defensively, out-digging Princeton 14-10 and winning the set 26-24.
Set 4: Closing Time
With the match on the line, USC turned up the pressure.
Klein added five more kills, Connell was sharp with four on seven swings, and the Trojans hit .481 as a team. They also tallied two more blocks and 11 digs, keeping Princeton’s offense from gaining traction.
A service ace from Connell brought up match point, and USC finished it off 25-18.
What’s Next
USC gets right back to work on Saturday, Jan. 24, hosting Fort Valley State at Galen Center. The match is set for 5 p.m. PT and will stream live on Big Ten Plus.
Notes and Nuggets
- USC is now 6-0 all-time against Princeton.
- The Trojans are 2-0 at home this spring, with 16 total matches scheduled at Galen Center.
- Freshman outside hitter Cooper Keane and sophomore middle blocker Parker Tomkinson made their season debuts in the match.
Three matches in, and USC already looks like a team with serious postseason potential. With Klein playing at an elite level and the supporting cast stepping up, the Trojans are building something special. Keep an eye on this group - they’re just getting started.