No. 6 USC Men's Volleyball Challenges Non-Conference Opponents George Mason And Vanguard
THIS WEEK
This week, the No. 6 USC men's volleyball team (13-3) takes a break from MPSF play to challenge non-conference opponents George Mason and Vanguard at the Galen Center. The Trojans take on the Patriots on Wednesday, Mar. 9 at 7 p.m. PT, and then return on Friday, Mar. 11 to face the Lions at 7 p.m. PT.
George Mason is 7-7 overall and 2-5 in the EIVA. The Patriots are coming off two victories over Sacred Heart on the road in Fairfield, Conn.: a 3-1 win on Mar. 4 and a 3-2 win on Mar. 5. The Trojans are 8-1 all-time against the Patriots.
Vanguard, a team in the NAIA, is 9-4 overall on the 2022 season. The Lions are 4-1 in Golden State Athletic Conference play and are currently in second place in the conference and 14th overall in the NAIA. USC has never played Vanguard in program history. The Lions most recently defeated Arizona Christian 3-1 on Mar. 4 in Glendale, Ariz. but lost to Ottawa University 1-3 in Surprise, Ariz. on Mar. 5.
Both matches this week will be available via live stream (all links found on the men's volleyball schedule page at USCTrojans.com).
FOLLOW THE TROJANS
All of USC's home matches in the Galen Center are video-streamed live for free on USCTrojans.com, except for matches televised live on Pac-12 Network. USC's online announcers are ex-Trojan player and assistant coach Mark Beltran and onetime Northeastern player/Winthrop assistant coach Paul Duchesne. Fans also can follow USC home matches through Live Stats at USCTrojans.com and all matches via Twitter (@USCmensvolley).
Live streaming and stat links for away matches can be found at USCTrojans.com.
RANKINGS
USC is ranked 6th in the current AVCA Division I-II Top 15 poll, and George Mason is unranked. Vanguard is ranked 14th in the NAIA standings and 2nd in the Golden State Athletic Conference standings.
DEFENDING OUR HOUSE
USC is 9-0 at home this season and looks to improve that record with two home matches this week.
STATS OF NOTE
As a team, USC is in the Top 10 nationally in four statistical categories: second in digs (9.62 per set, and first in MPSF), second in assists (12.40 per set, and first in MPSF), third in kills (13.03 per set, second in MPSF) and fifth in hitting percentage (.343, second in MPSF).
OPPONENTS
The Trojans hold a 8-1 record in their series with George Mason dating back to 1985.
This is the first time in program history that USC will play Vanguard.