USC women’s volleyball improved to 11-3 on the season and 3-1 in the Big Ten after facing Michigan and Minnesota on Friday and Saturday night, respectively. 

Against Michigan (13-2, 3-1 Big Ten) Friday, it was a night of thrilling comebacks for the Trojans.

Powered by sophomore outside hitter Valentina Vaulet’s six kills and sophomore setter Morgan Burke’s 13 assists, the Wolverines took the first set 25-15. The Trojans’ woes carried on into the next set as they were, once again, down early after a Michigan 6-point run. Eventually, Michigan also took the second set 25-20. 

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In a close third set, USC primarily played from behind. But the match’s momentum shifted when graduate outside hitter Ally Batenhorst posted three kills in USC’s last four points, propelling the Trojans to a 25-23 third-set victory.

The Wolverines came close to ending the match after taking the lead at 23-19 in the fourth set. However, the Trojans, sparked by a Michigan service error and sealed by a Batenhorst kill, went on a 6-0 scoring run to take the set 25-23. 

The match came down to an electrifying fifth set that started with a Wolverine onslaught, leaving the Trojans down 11-5. However, the Trojans set off on a 6-0 scoring run that tied the set at 11-11 and went on to cap off a comeback victory with a 4-point run. 

“There’s no reason to win a match when you’re down 11-5 in the fifth set,” said Head Coach Brad Keller. “And it was just a little bit here, a little bit there. And then we caught fire, and then once you catch fire, you never know.”

Batenhorst, who set a new career-high 20 kills, led USC to victory. With a commanding nine-kill third set and .600 hitting, Batenhorst was pivotal in setting the Trojans’ comeback in motion. 

Players like redshirt freshman middle blocker Leah Ford, junior libero Megan Verbiest and redshirt sophomore opposite hitter Madison Pietsch did not start the match but were a key part of ending it. The bench’s contributions were not limited to their on-court performance. The players on the bench also maintained a steady flow of energy, and junior libero Gala Trubint was quick to sing their praises. 

“Knowing that the bench has your back and they’re making the noise when maybe it’s a little bit quiet on your end of the court, it means everything,” Trubint said.  “It allowed us to take a deep breath on the court and know that we don’t have to fuel it all by ourselves; like the engines in the back, our bench was really powering us.”

The following night, the Trojans were back in Galen Center playing Minnesota (9-5, 2-2). 

It was a complete turnaround from the night prior. The Trojans kept the first set close. Propelled by 6 kills each by redshirt sophomore opposite hitter Adonia Faumuina and Batenhorst, USC took the set 25-23. 

The Trojans dropped a narrow second set but came back roaring in the third. The Trojans were in control for the entirety of the third set, with only one tie score during the set and no lead changes. The fans in Galen Center rose to their feet at the set point and rejoiced as freshman outside hitter Jadyn Livings sealed the set with a kill. Taking the set 25-11, USC held the Gophers to a staggering .071 hitting while hitting .650 themselves. 

The third set’s storyline was all about Ford as she tallied 5 block assists and 4 kills. After the match, Keller had high praises for Ford’s performance. 

“She’s close to really figuring this out and being a premier player in this country,” Keller said. 

The Trojans closed out a statement-making victory with a 25-18 fourth set. Led by Batenhorst and Livings’ 6 and 5 kills, respectively, the Trojans upset Minnesota. 

USC’s win over Minnesota was its first victory against a ranked team this year, but to Keller, it went beyond that. After the game, Keller was candid about what this victory meant for the team. 

“By no means do I think we’re anywhere near where we need to be, but I think this team is starting to see it, would be my guess,” Keller said. “If they don’t, they need to grow up pretty quickly, because we have a shot here, we need to not squander it.” 

Now, the Trojans will look to carry this momentum to Oregon (11-2, 3-1) Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Matthew Knight Arena.