Post by bigfan on Mar 2, 2007 19:01:06 GMT -5
Despite injuries volleyball ready for BYU
The Trojans have won two games in a row and three of their last four, but face a tough test as they host No. 3 BYU for two games.
With nagging injuries still bothering the USC men's volleyball team, it will have to depend on preparation and high-energy play if it hopes to defeat another top-10 opponent this weekend.
The No. 12-ranked Trojans take on the No. 3 BYU Cougars for a pair of home matches today and Saturday at the Galen Center. Both games start at 7 p.m.
"They are a really good team - I think the best team," junior outside hitter Juan Figueroa said. "I think if we play with a lot of energy and know that we can beat them from the beginning we can do a good job against them."
BYU is led by 6-foot-8 sophomore outside hitter Yosleyder Cala, who enters the match third on the team in kills with 165 and leads the team in hitting percentage at a stellar .417 mark.
For USC (6-9, 5-7 Mountain Pacific Sports Federation) to defeat the Cougars (11-4, 7-3), Figueroa said they must contain BYU's role players from having breakout games.
"Their best player is going to get his kills and all that," he said. "We need to stop their other players, their middles and the opposite hitter. If we stop them we are going to be fine."
With the quick turnaround from playing games in back-to-back days, Figueroa knows that the team will have to refocus and prepare for the next match as soon as the first one ends.
"We may not have enough time to be fresh for the next game," Figueroa said. "We are ready though, and I think we are going to play well against them. They better be ready for us."
The Trojans have won two games in a row and three of their last four, but face a tough test as they host No. 3 BYU for two games.
With nagging injuries still bothering the USC men's volleyball team, it will have to depend on preparation and high-energy play if it hopes to defeat another top-10 opponent this weekend.
The No. 12-ranked Trojans take on the No. 3 BYU Cougars for a pair of home matches today and Saturday at the Galen Center. Both games start at 7 p.m.
"They are a really good team - I think the best team," junior outside hitter Juan Figueroa said. "I think if we play with a lot of energy and know that we can beat them from the beginning we can do a good job against them."
BYU is led by 6-foot-8 sophomore outside hitter Yosleyder Cala, who enters the match third on the team in kills with 165 and leads the team in hitting percentage at a stellar .417 mark.
For USC (6-9, 5-7 Mountain Pacific Sports Federation) to defeat the Cougars (11-4, 7-3), Figueroa said they must contain BYU's role players from having breakout games.
"Their best player is going to get his kills and all that," he said. "We need to stop their other players, their middles and the opposite hitter. If we stop them we are going to be fine."
With the quick turnaround from playing games in back-to-back days, Figueroa knows that the team will have to refocus and prepare for the next match as soon as the first one ends.
"We may not have enough time to be fresh for the next game," Figueroa said. "We are ready though, and I think we are going to play well against them. They better be ready for us."
