Top Tier Match up as Nebraska Volleyball Meets USC

SB Nation

Coming off nine Wins, USC is Hot

#1 Nebraska vs. #17 USC

When: Sunday, November 16th, 2:00pm (CT)

Where: Galen Center, Los Angeles, CA

Watch: B1G+

USC is on a nine-match winning streak (I know, nothing compared to Nebraska’s). Their last loss was to UCLA on October 11th. Since that loss they have since beat UCLA along with Wisconsin, Minnesota and

Washington twice.

This USC team averages 2.74 blocks per set which is just better than the Huskers who are averaging 2.71 blocks per set. The point we take away from this statistic is that both teams are good blocking teams and that attackers will need to have good vision and high skill to get around the block.

USCs middles, Leah Ford, Rylie McGinest and sometimes subbed in Mia Tvrdy (from Pappillion, NE) lead the way in blocking. Each player averages over one block per set. These blocking numbers are similar to Nebraska’s middles, Rebekah Allick and Andi Jackson. Allick leads all these middles with an average of 1.35 blocks per set.

This match is further defined by the middles on both sides of the net in the offensive game. These middles are up and available for the set. Nebraska’s middles both earn over two kills per set and draw the attention of many team’s blockers. USC’s middles are both averaging over one kill per set but are much more active than many middles.

The freshman setter for USC is Reese Messer. She not only sets the middles well but gives a good tempo ball to her pin hitters, Adonia Faumuina, London Wijay and Abigail Mullen. Mullen is also a freshman but plays with a ton of confidence and has experience on the US National U19 and U21 teams. Mullen hits the ball with a heavy arm similarly to Emily Londot from Ohio State a few years ago.

The two left side hitters, Faumuina and Wijay, are both productive but Wijay is the more productive of the two. Wijay also plays all six rotations so she can hit from the backrow. Mullen also plays the backrow and hits out of right back. Wijay is a player Nebraska will look to serve. She carries a large load for the Trojans and is prone to a few passing errors each match.

Nebraska has a height advantage on the right side of the court. USCs outside hitters are 5’11 (Wijay) and 6’1” (Faumuina). The Husker right-side this afternoon needs to produce kills and do it efficiently, without many errors.

USC (20-5, 11-4 B1G)

#1 Adonia Faumuina 6’1” RS-JR OH
#2 London Wijay 5’10” RS-SO OH
#3 Reese Messer 5’11” FR Setter
#4 Megan Verbiest 5’6” SR DS/Libero
#5 Abigail Mullen 6’3” FR OPP
#6 Taylor Deckert 5’9” FR DS/Libero
#7 Leah Ford 6’4” RS-SO MB
#8 Mia Tvrdy 6’1” SO MB
#9 Allie Hazelwood 5’11” JR Setter
#10 Quinn Loper 6’2” FR OH
#11 Presley Kiffin 5’11” FR OH
#15 Dani Thomas-Nathan 6’0” SR OH
#16 Gala Trubint 5’8” SR DS/Libero
#17 Paisley Douglas 5’6” SO DS
#18 Addison Townsend 5’7” FR DS
#21 Brooklyn Tealer 6’0” RS-FR OH
#22 Rylie McGinest 6’1” SR MB
#23 Madison Pietsch 6’2” RS-JR OPP