The Trojans are back with a vengeance. After last week’s losses against Michigan State and No. 3 Penn State, the Trojans bounced back to win against UCLA and  Washington. 

At Pauley Pavilion on Halloween Thursday, the Trojans bested their crosstown rivals, UCLA (10-11, 4-8), in the Battle of Los Angeles. As fans have learned to expect from their Trojans, the team showcased stellar defensive play and powerful offensive strikes. 

Against the Bruins, USC’s dominance reached a head at the end of match three when the team earned its third straight set and clinched a win that almost seemed too easy to acquire.

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One of the star players in the Battle of L.A. was graduate outside hitter Ally Batenhorst, who earned 16 kills — the most of both teams’ players — in her sixth double-double of the season.

Alongside Batenhorst was senior setter Mia Tuaniga, with an astonishing 40 assists and a career-high six kills. ​

UCLA executed a hitting percentage of .200, and USC shot up to a percentage of .362. Final set scores were 21-25, 19-25, 19-25.

This was the Trojans’ first straight-set win against UCLA in six years and their first away sweep against the Bruins in almost a decade. 

Reeling from the declarative victory, USC turned its attention to the Washington Huskies (17-5,6-4). 

This next match-up proved more difficult. Although usual starters Kierstyn Barton and Audra Wilmes sophomore and junior outside hitters, respectively, were absent from the match, Washington provided stiffer competition, namely from senior outside hitter Madi Endsley. But as formidable as the Huskies’ defense proved to be, it was no issue for the Trojans, who won the match in four sets.

Back at home at Galen Center Sunday afternoon, the energy was already different. With a home-court advantage and an arena packed with 3,418 loyal — and loud — USC fans, the Trojans came out swinging. 

Both teams boasted 7-4 records going into the match, meaning both had something to prove in the remainder of Big Ten conference play — and prove something they did. 

USC cleared 20 points before Washington could even hit double digits. The only quiet moments in Galen Center were when the Huskies went to serve as the only sounds heard came from the Husky bench, clapping to set the rhythm of a serve, but the arena was quickly filled with loud boos from USC fans. 

Louder still were yells of approval and adoration from excited fans. “We love you 14!” could be heard from young fans before almost every serve in the first set, praising jersey No. 14, Ally Batenhorst, and propelling the team to its quickest victory of the match. The final set score was 11-25. 

The second set featured a less dominant start. Unlike the first set, the Huskies briefly took a lead over the Trojans and the teams’ scores were tied twice. Still, the Trojans were able to end up on top. The final score of the second set was 181-25. 

Set three is where Washington caused the most problems for USC. Losing even more momentum after the slower second set, the Huskies took set three 25-21. 

Head Coach Brad Keller said the matches displayed “inconsistency.”  

“If you watch us three weeks ago, there was more of set three than there was of set one and two,” Keller said. “So we’re starting to change that narrative a little bit.”

And just like they did against UCLA after losing to Michigan State (8-15, 1-11) and Penn State (22-1, 12-0), the Trojans came back. Set four was an energetic, chaotic battle. Missed hits flew into the stands on multiple occasions by both teams, and a back-and-forth tussle ensued. After two lead changes and three tied scores, the Trojans sealed the comeback victory 15-25 with 10.5 total team blocks.

“This team is starting to believe. I think this team is coming together. I think this team leans and cares for each other,” Keller said. “I think we will be ready to go for this tough trip coming up.” 

“Illinois and Indiana are the real deal, especially at home, and they are going to be prepared for us,” Keller said. “Illinois has one of the best players in the country, and she can go off, I told that to our team, and so we have to be ready for that.”

With two additional wins under its belt, the USC team will travel to Illinois and Indiana this Friday and Sunday. 

The Trojans’ first game will be in Urbana-Champaign, Illinois, on Friday at 3:00 pm, and their second will be in Bloomington, Indiana, on Sunday at 1:00 pm.