USC Volleyball Lands Six on Big Ten Postseason Honors, Led by Standouts London Wijay and Reese Messer
ROSEMONT, Ill. - The postseason recognition keeps rolling in for USC women’s volleyball, and rightfully so. Six Trojans earned Big Ten honors on Tuesday, a testament to the program’s strong debut season in one of the nation’s toughest volleyball conferences.
Headlining the list? Redshirt sophomore outside hitter London Wijay and freshman setter Reese Messer, both named to the All-Big Ten First Team.
Let’s break it down.
London Wijay: A Star on the Rise
If you’ve been watching USC this season, you’ve seen London Wijay evolve into one of the most dynamic outside hitters in the Big Ten. The redshirt sophomore didn’t just make the first team - she was one of nine unanimous selections, and that’s no small feat in a league stacked with elite talent.
Wijay ranks 10th in the Big Ten in total kills (378) and 11th in kills per set (3.53). She’s hit double-digit kills in 22 matches and double-digit points in 24 - a model of consistency and impact.
Her breakout moment came on the road against ninth-ranked Wisconsin, where she dropped a career-high 25 kills on 65 swings to lead the Trojans to a signature win. That performance was one of many that earned her Big Ten Player of the Week honors twice this season.
She’s also added seven double-doubles in 2025, bringing her career total to 16. Simply put, Wijay’s all-around game has blossomed, and her first-team nod feels like just the beginning.
Reese Messer: USC’s Quarterback of the Court
Running the show from the setter spot, freshman Reese Messer has been nothing short of elite. She leads the Big Ten in assists per set (10.78), good for eighth nationally - and she’s done it while playing in every single set for USC this season.
Messer racked up 1,175 assists, 251 digs, 69 kills, 66 blocks, and 15 aces - a stat line that screams versatility. She’s not just distributing the ball; she’s impacting the game in every phase. Her 10 double-doubles and ability to guide USC to 10 matches hitting over .300 show a poise well beyond her years.
Her resume includes two Big Ten Setter of the Week awards and two Freshman of the Week honors. Among all the young talent in the Big Ten, only three freshmen made the first team - and Messer was one of them. That tells you everything you need to know about her impact.
Second-Team Standouts: Leah Ford and Taylor Deckert
Redshirt sophomore middle blocker Leah Ford continues to anchor USC’s front line. She leads the Big Ten in blocks per set (1.35) and sits seventh in hitting percentage at .364. Ford’s defensive presence earned her two Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week awards this season, and she notched her first career double-double with 10 kills and 11 blocks against Loyola Marymount.
Freshman libero Taylor Deckert also earned second-team honors. She’s been a steady force in the back row, ranking ninth in the Big Ten in total digs (348) and 10th in digs per set (3.28). She’s reached double-digit digs in 18 matches and had a breakout performance with her first double-double (13 digs, 10 assists) against San Diego.
Abigail Mullen and Gala Trubint Round Out the Honors
Freshman opposite hitter Abigail Mullen joined Messer on the Big Ten All-Freshman Team after a standout debut season. Mullen ranks third in the conference in service aces per set (0.44) and fifth in total aces (47).
She’s delivered 17 double-digit kill matches and 23 matches with double-digit points, adding seven double-doubles to her name. Her early-season MVP showing at the Trojan Invitational set the tone for what’s been a strong freshman campaign.
Veteran defensive specialist Gala Trubint earned USC’s Big Ten Sportsmanship Award for the second year in a row. A steady leader and one of only two Trojans (along with Messer) to appear in all 109 sets this season, Trubint quietly crossed the 1,400-career dig mark - just the ninth player in program history to do so. Her role may have shifted, but her impact and leadership remain crucial.
What’s Next: NCAA Tournament Time
USC, ranked No. 14 nationally, finished the regular season 24-6 overall and 15-5 in Big Ten play - good enough for a share of third place in the conference. That performance earned them an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament and the right to host first- and second-round matches at the Galen Center.
The Trojans will open tournament play on Thursday, Dec. 4, against Ivy League champion Princeton (18-6) at approximately 7 p.m. PT.
Earlier that evening, fifth-seeded BYU (22-8) will face Big West champion Cal Poly (25-7) at 5 p.m. The winners will meet in the second round on Friday, Dec. 5, at 7 p.m.
PT. All matches will be streamed live on ESPN+.
With six players earning postseason honors and a home-court advantage to start the NCAA tournament, USC enters December with momentum - and the look of a team that’s not done yet.