Following a disappointing trip to the Bay Area, the Trojans got back on track and took narrow victories over then-No. 4 Washington State and unranked Washington at home, each in five sets. USC’s next task is Colorado. While the Trojans beat the Buffaloes earlier in the month, if USC learned something from its recent loss against UC Berkeley, no game is guaranteed, even if an opponent’s record displays an unsuccessful season. 

Nonetheless, defeating Washington State (18-3, 8-2 Pac-12) and Washington (13-8, 4-6) was crucial, as the Cougars have been a very strong team this season, and the Huskies’ overall record is close to that of the Trojans (13-7, 7-3).

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“We weren’t really focused on beating Washington State or Washington,” said freshman outside hitter London Wijay in an interview with the Daily Trojan. “We made a goal just to make our team better, and that’s why I think we won, because we focus on ourselves, and not other teams.”

Wijay, who was absent from six straight matches before returning against Washington State, was vital in both weekend victories, totaling 21 kills and 17 digs. Wijay took home Pac-12 Freshman of the Week honors for the third time this season and was the first Trojan to have at least three since Raquel Lazaro’s four in 2018.

“We really pick it up toward the end because we all want to win,” Wijay said. “What’s really cool about our team is that we all are in this together.”

Wijay wasn’t the only Trojan to earn Pac-12 weekly honors. Senior outside hitter Skylar Fields won Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week for the second time this season, the sixth of her career. Fields’ 44 total kills across both victories ignited the Trojans’ offense, and she is now just 80 shy of 2,000 in her collegiate career.

“We can compete with high level teams and as long as we keep playing our game, we’ll be able to accomplish what we want,” Fields said. “When you get to the fifth set, it’s a shorter set, so you have to be making those plays way faster.” 

Redshirt sophomore middle blocker Tyrah Ariail also came up big for the Trojans, leading the team in blocks, with five against WSU and eight against UW. 

The Trojans will take on the Buffaloes (12-9, 4-6) next, a team that USC previously defeated 3-1. While Colorado has struggled this season, it is coming off two victories, including an upset sweep against No. 17 Arizona State (19-3, 7-3). Graduate outside hitter Lexi Hadrych has been on fire for the Buffaloes, leading the team with 34 kills in their two weekend victories. 

While Hadrych has been crucial for Colorado all season, the Trojans were able to limit her production in the two teams’ most recent meeting. Hadrych was held to just six kills in four sets and led the Buffaloes in errors with four. Also, zero Buffaloes reached the double-digit mark in kills in that match.

While Colorado was an easy task at home, the Trojans will find themselves in Boulder, where they haven’t won a match since 2019. 

“We’re not taking anything for granted; they’re a really good team, and we’re gonna come in there as focused as we can possibly be,” said Head Coach Brad Keller. 

With a 9-4 record at home, the Buffaloes’ home-court success could certainly be in play yet again against the Trojans. 

Every match is crucial for USC as the regular season enters its final month. A successful weekend for the Trojans could possibly raise USC above Oregon (17-4, 7-3) and Arizona State in the standings, two teams that share identical conference records with USC thus far.

Women’s volleyball will take on Colorado Friday at 6 p.m. at CU Events Center in Boulder.