USC’s men’s volleyball team has been on fire this season, showing no signs of slowing down. The Trojans are now 8-0 after a commanding two-match performance in the Big Ten Challenge, with wins over No. 13 Ohio State and No. 17 Penn State.
The Trojans opened their road trip in Wilberforce, Ohio, with a dominant victory over Central State University, and then followed it up with two four-set wins over Big Ten powerhouses. USC remains undefeated, marking their best start to the season since 1991.
On Friday, the Trojans defeated Ohio State in a hard-fought match, with junior outside hitter Dillon Klein leading the way with 22 kills and a career-high .700 hitting percentage. Klein credited his success to the support of sophomore setter Caleb Blanchette, who displayed excellent decision-making throughout the match. Blanchette has been a standout this season, averaging 10.5 assists per set—an improvement from last year.
The Trojans showed offensive firepower in the match, posting a season-high .500 hitting percentage against the Buckeyes. Despite a tense second set, which saw the teams tied 14 times before USC edged out a 29-27 win, Klein delivered in clutch moments, securing USC’s 2-0 lead. After dropping the third set 25-21, the Trojans came back to claim the fourth set 25-20 and seal the match.
Freshman middle blocker Parker Tomkinson was also a key contributor, with 8 kills and 8 blocks. Outside hitters Noah Roberts and Sterling Foley each added 8 kills, solidifying the Trojans’ all-around performance.
On Saturday, USC picked up right where they left off, beating Penn State in four sets. Although the Trojans were unable to complete a sweep, they continued their offensive dominance, hitting above .450 for the third consecutive match. USC’s .381 hitting percentage ranks fifth in the nation, behind only Loyola Chicago, Pepperdine, Hawaii, and Long Beach State.
Klein’s continued strong play was evident in the first set against Penn State, where he racked up 6 kills on just seven attempts. Despite a strong response from Penn State in the second set, USC regained control in the third and fourth sets, where they hit .500 compared to Penn State’s .217. Klein, Roberts, and Foley were crucial in leading the team to victory.
Head Coach Jeff Nygaard praised his team’s performance, noting the high level of play and efficiency displayed over the weekend. “There should be a lot of buzz about this team,” Nygaard said. “These guys are high-flying and entertaining and doing some great things. They’re representing USC at a high level.”
Following a successful road trip, the Trojans will return home to Los Angeles for a match against Dominican University on Saturday at noon. USC will look to keep their undefeated streak intact and improve to 9-0 with another dominant performance.
