Post by bigfan on Sept 1, 2006 13:06:23 GMT -5
After rolling last weekend, USC faces tougher teams
The Women of Troy face Tennessee on Sunday, which made last year's Final Four.
Alex Lebow
While the results of last weekend's CenturyTel Premier tournament were near perfect for the No. 14 USC women's volleyball team (3-0), the Women of Troy open the season at home with greater challenges.
USC and co-host Loyola Marymount (2-1) welcome Fresno State (1-3), No. 24 Utah (1-1), No. 11 Tennessee (3-0) and North Carolina (1-2) for this weekend's LMU/USC Hilton LAX Invitational.
The Women of Troy look to maintain momentum after last weekend's sweep of North Texas, Texas State and Texas-Pan American. Junior opposite hitter Asia Kaczor earned most-valuable-player honors in her first set of matches since joining the team as a transfer from the College of Southern Idaho.
Junior middle blocker Diane Copenhagen earned a spot on the all-tournament team, and redshirt sophomore outside hitter Jessica Gysin made countless contributions after she sat out all of last season.
USC coach Mick Haley rotated all 13 women onto the court in San Marcos, Texas, but he might play fewer women this weekend against stiffer competition.
Haley continues to push his team while he encourages them to maintain consistent play, particularly on defense.
"If I have my seniors leading and both captains already doing a good job, we build this team around our defense. Then everyone else will follow," Haley said. "They're doing a pretty good job right now, and I appreciate it."
The Women of Troy open at home against Fresno State today at 7 p.m. In its second match, USC faces Utah at 2 p.m. on Saturday and then takes on Tennessee in the final match of the tournament on Sunday at 4 p.m.
Tennessee advanced to the 2005 Final Four and has had a strong start to the season with a recent win at the Comcast Lady Vol Classic. Though Tennessee returns four starters, USC has won both matches against the Lady Vols in its history.
Utah beat Arkansas State but fell to Florida at last weekend's Gator Volleyball Aquafina Invitational. Fresno State has dropped three of four matches to start the season. While not nationally ranked, Fresno State is "a very good up-and-coming team," according to Haley.
Freshman setter Taylor Carico anticipates the best for her first-ever tournament against nationally recognized competition. "I'm definitely excited," Carico said. "I'm looking forward to it because it will be tough competition that I've never experienced before."
The Women of Troy face Tennessee on Sunday, which made last year's Final Four.
Alex Lebow
While the results of last weekend's CenturyTel Premier tournament were near perfect for the No. 14 USC women's volleyball team (3-0), the Women of Troy open the season at home with greater challenges.
USC and co-host Loyola Marymount (2-1) welcome Fresno State (1-3), No. 24 Utah (1-1), No. 11 Tennessee (3-0) and North Carolina (1-2) for this weekend's LMU/USC Hilton LAX Invitational.
The Women of Troy look to maintain momentum after last weekend's sweep of North Texas, Texas State and Texas-Pan American. Junior opposite hitter Asia Kaczor earned most-valuable-player honors in her first set of matches since joining the team as a transfer from the College of Southern Idaho.
Junior middle blocker Diane Copenhagen earned a spot on the all-tournament team, and redshirt sophomore outside hitter Jessica Gysin made countless contributions after she sat out all of last season.
USC coach Mick Haley rotated all 13 women onto the court in San Marcos, Texas, but he might play fewer women this weekend against stiffer competition.
Haley continues to push his team while he encourages them to maintain consistent play, particularly on defense.
"If I have my seniors leading and both captains already doing a good job, we build this team around our defense. Then everyone else will follow," Haley said. "They're doing a pretty good job right now, and I appreciate it."
The Women of Troy open at home against Fresno State today at 7 p.m. In its second match, USC faces Utah at 2 p.m. on Saturday and then takes on Tennessee in the final match of the tournament on Sunday at 4 p.m.
Tennessee advanced to the 2005 Final Four and has had a strong start to the season with a recent win at the Comcast Lady Vol Classic. Though Tennessee returns four starters, USC has won both matches against the Lady Vols in its history.
Utah beat Arkansas State but fell to Florida at last weekend's Gator Volleyball Aquafina Invitational. Fresno State has dropped three of four matches to start the season. While not nationally ranked, Fresno State is "a very good up-and-coming team," according to Haley.
Freshman setter Taylor Carico anticipates the best for her first-ever tournament against nationally recognized competition. "I'm definitely excited," Carico said. "I'm looking forward to it because it will be tough competition that I've never experienced before."