USC’s Reese Messer, Abigail Mullen Earn Big Ten Weekly Honors as Trojans Head into NCAA Tournament
With the postseason on the horizon, USC women’s volleyball continues to stack accolades-and momentum. Freshman setter Reese Messer and opposite hitter Abigail Mullen have been recognized by the Big Ten for their standout performances last week, with Messer earning Setter of the Week honors and Mullen being named Freshman of the Week. It’s the latest chapter in what’s been a breakout year for both players-and for USC as a whole-as the Trojans prepare to host the opening rounds of the NCAA tournament.
Messer’s Command at the Net
Let’s start with Messer, who’s been directing USC’s offense with the poise of a veteran. The freshman from Olathe, Kansas, dished out 87 assists over two matches, averaging an impressive 12.43 assists per set. That kind of consistency is hard to come by, especially from a first-year player running the show in one of the nation’s toughest conferences.
In USC’s sweep of Michigan State, Messer tallied 39 assists while guiding the Trojans to a .333 team hitting percentage. She added seven digs, three blocks, and even chipped in three kills-showing she’s not just a distributor, but a complete player.
Against Michigan, she stepped it up again with 48 assists, 10 digs, two blocks, and two kills, helping USC hit .313 as a team. That match marked her 10th double-double of the season.
Messer now ranks second in the Big Ten in assists per set, and her ability to keep USC’s offense balanced and efficient has been a major reason the Trojans closed the regular season on a four-match win streak.
Mullen’s All-Around Impact
On the pins, Mullen continues to make her presence felt. The Kansas City native averaged 3.93 points per set last week, with 3.14 kills per set while hitting at a crisp .362 clip. Her performance against Michigan State was textbook two-way volleyball: 11 kills on .348 hitting, 10 digs, two blocks, and an assist-good for her seventh double-double of the year.
She followed that up with another 11-kill outing against Michigan, this time hitting .375 and adding six digs, three service aces, and three blocks for a 15.5-point performance. Mullen has now hit double-digit kills 18 times this season and has posted at least 10 points in 23 matches. For a freshman, those are numbers that jump off the page-and they’re translating into wins.
Trojans Rolling into the Tournament
As a team, USC is hitting its stride at the right time. The Trojans, ranked No. 14 nationally, finished the regular season at 24-6 overall and 15-5 in Big Ten play, locking up a share of third place in the conference. That effort earned them one of 33 at-large bids to the NCAA tournament-and the right to host the first and second rounds at Galen Center.
USC will open the tournament on Thursday against Ivy League champion Princeton, with first serve scheduled for approximately 7 p.m. PT.
The earlier match will feature fifth-seeded BYU taking on Big West champion Cal Poly at 5 p.m. PT.
The winners will meet in Friday’s second round, also at 7 p.m. PT.
All matches will be streamed live on ESPN+.
This marks USC’s fourth consecutive NCAA tournament appearance under head coach Brad Keller, who’s now in his sixth season at the helm. The Trojans have built a roster that blends youth and experience, and their 11 Big Ten weekly honors this season-15 all-time since joining the conference-speak to the depth and talent spread across the lineup.
Award-Winning Season
Messer and Mullen’s latest honors cap off a banner year for individual recognition within the program. Messer alone has now earned four Big Ten weekly honors in 2025: two as Freshman of the Week, one as Co-Setter of the Week, and now a solo Setter of the Week nod. Mullen, meanwhile, picks up her second Freshman of the Week award this season.
Other Trojans have made their mark as well. London Wijay has twice been named Player of the Week, Leah Ford has earned two Defensive Player of the Week selections, and Taylor Deckert was also recognized as Freshman of the Week earlier this fall.
What’s Next
As the Women of Troy shift their focus to the NCAA tournament, the spotlight will only grow brighter. But with Messer setting the tempo and Mullen delivering on both ends of the floor, USC looks ready for the moment.
The regular season showed what this team is capable of. Now, it’s time to find out just how far they can go.