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Post by bigfan on Jan 17, 2007 15:13:08 GMT -5
Volleyball looks to reverse fortunes
The Trojans are just 1-3, but will play their first game at Galen tonight.
The USC men's volleyball team fell to Pepperdine Jan. 12 in its Mountain Pacific Sports Federation opener in four games (26-30, 30-18, 31-29, 30-25).
After taking the first game, the Trojans struggled and could not contain Paul Carroll, who led the Wave with 27 kills and numerous aces. The Trojans were led by Outside Hitter Juan Figueroa (19 kills, 13 digs) and C.J. Schellenberg (14 kills). Former USC basketball player turned starting Pepperdine middle blocker Greg Gaudino netted six kills against his former school.
USC falls to 1-3 overall but will look to rebound while playing in its first ever match at the Galen Center today when it squares off against No. 9 Long Beach State at 7 p.m.
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Post by beachvball on Jan 17, 2007 16:32:41 GMT -5
Looking forward to seeing the new facility. Here's the article from the Press Telegram.
LBSU, USC to make history at Galen Center
Article Launched: 01/16/2007 11:50:51 PM PST
LOS ANGELES - Coach Alan Knipe's Long Beach State team will take part in the first men's volleyball match played in the Galen Center tonight when the 49ers play the USC Trojans in a 7 o'clock Mountain Pacific Sports Federation match.
Long Beach, ninth in this week's American Volleyball Coaches Association Top 15, improved to 3-1 overall last Friday evening with its sweep of UC San Diego, 30-20, 30-23 and 30-22, in the Walter Pyramid.
The 14th-ranked Trojans are 1-3 overall after opening MPSF play with a 3-1 loss at Pepperdine last week.
The 49ers trail their series with USC, 46-42, but have won the past 13 matches with the Trojans.
Long Beach came out on top in three matches against USC last season, each going four games.
Bill Ferguson is in his first season as the Trojans' head coach after serving as an assistant last season to former head coach Turhan Douglas.
USC retuned five starters from a team that was 11-15 overall and 7-15 in MPSF play last season.
The 49ers have been getting outstanding hitting from Paul Lotman, Norm Hutton and Teddy Liles, who combined for 38 kills against UCSD.
- Frank Burlison
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Post by fingrbustr on Jan 17, 2007 20:44:00 GMT -5
Took in the USC/Pepp game last Friday. Strange not seeing Winder running the show, although Hughes was acceptable. Stalzer a better libero already than Schleppenbach was last season. Schleppenbach however took some swings at OH after Grobe's emotional high eventually wore off (big surprise, 9-6-19 .158) and man, he's looking like when he was healthy in Juniors (8-1-12 .583). Big Aussie has got to be at least 6'9", maybe even 6'10...he was slouching and he was at least an inch or two taller than Winder or Hulse. Carroll's serve turned the tide of the whole game -- I think he might have the most potent Wave serve since Brad Keenan's. Sometimes he'd hit it w/ less than perfect spin, just pure floaty muscle on the ball...no way USC could pass that. 4 aces, 27-3-43 .558, Carroll will be a 1st team AA this year. Figueroa was pretty efficient (19-7-36 .333) and again awesome to watch, looked more consistent and in-control than when Turhan had him. Killian looks to have cleaned up his contact point and is taking the ball at or above his forehead consistently...that was very noticeable to me (not much of the slacker chin stuff w/ Bill around). He looks thicker and stronger too. Still a little more flash than substance though. Schellenberg again was unimpressive (14-8-39 .145)...wonder if he was intimidated by the OTHER lefty opposite in the gym, hehe. Vernon is solid, and Hunter Current is gonna be a player for sure. 2nd OH (Anderson) was pretty much non-existent though...that's going to be a problem for USC.
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Post by fingrbustr on Jan 17, 2007 20:45:33 GMT -5
Incidentally, I think LBSU takes this match in 4 as well.
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Post by VollyDolly on Jan 18, 2007 1:12:49 GMT -5
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Post by Rocky on Jan 18, 2007 1:15:22 GMT -5
I just saw that also. Nice job USC. This MPSF season could be interesting!
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Post by bigfan on Jan 18, 2007 15:32:19 GMT -5
Great win by USC...it will mean nothing if the season blows up on them.
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Post by fingrbustr on Jan 24, 2007 16:39:39 GMT -5
MPSF race has been pretty good in years past. Big game this Saturday at Pauley...I won't be missing that one!
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