In the second set of USC’s showdown with No. 15 Arizona State Sunday afternoon, the crowd at Galen Center roared as an announcement came up on the jumbotron: Star senior outside hitter Skylar Fields had reached 2,000 career kills, entering her into an elite group in the history of college volleyball.

The person in the stadium least interested in the news? Fields, herself. She simply put her head down and did not spare a glance at the screen, as if she was completely unaware of the scene around her. Head Coach Brad Keller explained that for Fields, the kills she continues to rack up are expected, and that is not all she wants to be known for.

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“The reason why she brushed [it] off is because she’s known for that. The whole gym expected her to get those kills,” Keller said. “She wants you to talk about the blocks and the digs and the passing … She’s becoming a complete player, and I think if people start paying attention to that, you’re going to see a much different personality come out of her.”

Helping Fields round out her game with an eye towards an Olympic future is a key goal for the USC coaching staff, and their willingness to do so was crucial to their ability to land her in the transfer portal last year. She finished with 24 kills, eight digs and just four errors as the Trojans (16-8, 10-4 Pac-12) swept the Sun Devils (22-4, 10-4) for their 10th consecutive home win.

The victory was the second for the Trojans in the last month against a ranked conference opponent after their thrilling upset win over No. 4 Washington State (19-6, 9-5) Oct. 20. While playing up to top opposition will be crucial to USC’s ability to make a run at a national championship, the Trojans did not devote any extra attention to their recent high-profile matchups.

“When we’re playing in August, I’m not circling things in November,” said junior setter Mia Tuaniga. “We’re not fangirls, it doesn’t matter who we’re playing against. We’re going to focus on each other, and we’re going to show out.”

The Trojans, who are yet to lose at home this season, were given a huge boost by a packed and passionate crowd. From the opening serve, there was hardly an open seat on the USC side of the stadium, and the PA announcer was regularly drowned out by roars after points won by the Trojans. 

“The crowd’s getting bigger every year, and they’re into it, and there’s so much positive energy in this building,” Keller said. “I thought we were going to win after the first serve. I think the crowd believes, and when the crowd believes, you really believe.”

However, the fans are not the only source of support inside Galen. No matter the score of the game, the USC bench remains lively, and their energy is infectious. With music from DJ Mal-Ski echoing through the arena, the Trojans are singing, dancing and encouraging their teammates from the first point to the last.

“I want to give a huge shoutout to our bench. I’m going to call out every other team and say we have the best bench,” Tuaniga said. “I don’t know if anyone else watches how they cheer and give us feedback, but we couldn’t do it without them.”

Keller was extremely emotional after the game, taking time after the final point to collect his emotions and tearing up when describing his team’s journey. He feels passionate about the group his staff has assembled and is determined for the squad to achieve the success they have dreamed of. 

“I truly believe that we’re close to breaking this thing wide open and being the dominant power that USC needs to be,” Keller said. “So I’m emotional. I want these wins, I want these for the girls, and I want this for the University.”

While Fields was able to carry the Trojans to back-to-back sweeps over the Sun Devils and Arizona (6-19, 1-13) this weekend, production from other players may determine USC’s ceiling in the NCAA Tournament in December. However, while the coaching staff is determined to find routes to success for other players, Keller and anyone else who watches his team play share a lingering feeling that there may not be a limit to how far Fields’ greatness can take the Trojans. 

“We obviously need more kills out of other players, we were at 52 swings [for Fields] versus the next [highest player] was at 12,” Keller said. “So we’ve got to get more production from other players. But at the end of the day, we don’t, because that person is getting kills and I don’t care how we do it, we just have to figure out ways to win.”

Fields and the Trojans will now embark on a crucial trip north to take on Washington (14-11, 5-9) Friday at 7 p.m. and Washington State Sunday at noon.