No. 15 BYU looks to end losing skid at No. 6 USC this weekend

PROVO, Utah — No. 15 BYU men’s volleyball hits the road to face Mountain Pacific Sports Federation foe No. 6 USC for two matches in the Galen Center on Friday, March 5 and Saturday, March 6.

The history between the Cougars and the Trojans dates back to 1990. Currently, BYU leads the all-time series 45-14.

No. 15 Brigham Young University Cougars (5-9, 0-2 Mountain Pacific Sports Federation)

Last weekend, BYU faced Grand Canyon University in its first MPSF series of the season. GCU walked away with two close victories. It was 3-1 on Friday, with some tight set scored and 3-2 on Saturday, with the Cougars failing to convert on two match-point opportunities in the fifth set. The losses extend BYU’s losing streak to seven straight matches.
Senior outside hitter Davide Gardini led the way offensively last weekend, putting down 15 kills on Friday and a career-high 29 kills on Saturday. His previous high was 26. The last time a Cougar tallied 29 or more kills in a match was Taylor Sander at USC in March 2011.
Nationally, BYU ranks No. 13 in assists per set (11.41), No. 16 in hitting percentage (.284), No. 16 in kills per set (12.02), No. 19 in blocks per set (2.026) and No. 19 in team attacks per set (26.59).
Gardini ranks No. 11 in the NCAA in kills per set (3.82), No. 14 in points per set (4.45) and No. 16 in attacks per set (8.10).
Out of BYU’s 14 matches this season, head coach Shawn Olmstead has had 11 different starting lineups, as the Cougars continue to rebuild after losing five starters from last season.
The Cougars finished the 2021 season with a 20-4 record, its eighth MPSF conference championship title, a trip to the NCAA national championship game and a No. 2 national ranking.

No. 6 University of Southern California Trojans (11-3, 1-1 Mountain Pacific Sports Federation)

Last weekend, USC faced its first conference opponent, Pepperdine. On Wednesday, the Trojans suffered a 3-2 loss to the Waves, but made a comeback on Sunday with a 3-1 victory.
USC’s three losses this season came against Ohio State, Long Beach State and Pepperdine.
Cole Paxson has dominated the MPSF weekly honors this season, earning Defensive Player of the Week twice and Offensive Player of the Week once.
Redshirt sophomore outside and opposite hitter Simon Gallas ranks No. 2 in the NCAA in attacks per set (9.46), No. 3 in kills per set (4.37) and No. 3 in points per set (5.08).
Redshirt senior setter Chris Hall ranks No. 2 in the NCAA in assists per set (11.25).
In the NCAA, the Trojans rank No. 2 in assists per set (12.51), No. 2 in digs per set (9.77) and No. 2 in team attacks per set (28.21). They lead the conference in all three categories. Additionally, they rank No. 3 in kills per set (13.17), No. 5 in hitting percentage (.336) and No. 7 in opponent hitting percentage (.786).

BROADCAST INFORMATION – March 4