Women of Troy off to best start in 10 years
The No. 2 Women of Troy (14-0, 2-0 Pac-12) will host Washington State (12-2, 1-1 Pac-12) and No. 5 Washington (12-0, 2-0) this weekend.
After four straight matches away, the Women of Troy are looking forward to playing at home. Head coach Mick Haley prefers playing at the Galen Center because it is comfortable for the team.
“We love the fan support,” Haley said. “The way the students come out and root for us.”
This week, senior outside hitter Samantha Bricio picked up her fourth Pac-12 Player of the Week award.
She’s the first player in the conference to have received four of these honors in a five week span, and now holds the most of these type of honors in USC history.
In addition to her fourth Pac-12 award this week, Bricio was named the espnW National Player of the Week.
Haley is excited for Bricio and feels that she is deserving of the awards because of the way that she’s been carrying the team.
“She has a good chance to be the player of the year this year,” Haley said. “If she continues to improve and lead the team like she has been.”
The Women of Troy will face the Cougars on Friday night. The Cougars opened up their season with an 11-match winning streak that the Huskies snapped to open up conference play.
For the Washington State offense, junior outside hitter Kyra Holt ranks fourth in the Pac-12 with 4.35 kills per set. The Women of Troy will need to limit her offensive production to maintain control in the match.
Washington State’s freshman middle blocker Claire Martin is seventh in the conference with 1.33 blocks per set.
USC will have to run their fast offense through multiple channels and remain strong at the net to overcome Martin’s presence.
While the main focus this weekend would seem to be placed on Sunday’s match against the undefeated Huskies, Haley is not looking over the Cougars.
He expects Washington State to come in and play comfortably at the Galen Center.
“They’re our only opponent until after that match is over,” Haley said.
USC holds the upper hand in both rivalries, but the Huskies have won the last three against the Women of Troy.
On Sunday, the Women of Troy will look to break that streak. Pac-12 Networks volleyball analyst Josh Grau, former coach at Texas and Northwestern, emphasized that USC is the hot team to beat right now coming off of a tough preseason schedule and two wins to open up Pac-12 play. He also pointed out that Washington is a team that hasn’t been tested as much, as they had an easier preseason schedule.
“Washington on the road puts them at a disadvantage,” Grau said.
For USC to top the Huskies, the Women of Troy will need a strong game from Bricio, both at the net and from the service line.
In addition to Bricio, the Women of Troy will need the rest of the offense, like freshman outside hitter Alyse Ford, senior middle blocker Alicia Ogoms, sophomore opposite Brittany Abercrombie and freshman setter Baylee Johnson, to attack quickly, get good looks and break down Washington’s defense.
“It’s just a matter of trusting these players,” Grau said. “And giving them more looks.”
Washington has a strong offense as well in sophomore outside hitter Courtney Schwan (fifth in hitting percentage in conference) and senior middle blocker Lianna Sybeldon (first in hitting percentage in conference).
To stop Schwan and Sybeldon, Grau pointed out that USC will need to remain strong at the net.
“If they stay disciplined, they’ll be able to contain,” Grau said.
Grau emphasized that for either team to win, it will come down to their serving.
If USC can serve aggressively and keep Washington from making a solid first contact on the ball, the Women of Troy has a good shot at winning the match.
USC will face Washington State Friday at 7 p.m. and Washington on Sunday at 1 p.m at the Galen Center.