The No. 7 USC men’s volleyball team took center stage Saturday night for its first matchup on the main floor of Galen Center, a battle with No. 19 Princeton that also marked its first ranked tilt of the season. 

The main-stage home opener was a rousing success for the Trojans (2-0), who won three consecutive sets to sweep the Tigers (0-1). Getting a big win on the main floor in front of a sizable crowd energized the Trojans.

“This is the best arena in America to play in,” sophomore setter Caleb Blanchette said. “The fans are awesome. The gym’s unbelievable, there’s so much history here. To finally get down here and get to play and get to play a good opponent and get a win, it means a lot to me and the program.”

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The Trojans dominated at the net throughout the first set, hitting .423 while holding the Tigers to a .148 hitting clip. USC ripped off strong hits left and right and outblocked Princeton 4-0 to set a powerful tone early on. USC relied heavily on its middle blockers, graduate student Guy Genis and freshman Parker Tomkinson, to dominate at the net. The two combined for 7 kills to key a decisive 25-19 first-set win for the Trojans. 

“I think we came out with more energy than on Thursday [when USC played Daemen]. Genis and myself had double the amount of attempts,” Tomkinson said. 

The second set was more tightly contested, and the Trojans found themselves trailing early in the set. They weren’t having as much success running the middle, so the Trojans turned to junior outside hitter Dillon Klein for a spark. The veteran superstar provided just that, racking up 6 kills during the set. USC stormed back ahead and held on for a 25-21 win. 

Klein, who has been a superstar for USC since he stepped on campus his freshman year, has made some adjustments to his attacking style this season. In addition to his trademark powerful swings, Klein seems to be playing chess while his opponents are playing checkers, making more calculated attacks and using blockers’ choices against them. 

“[Klein’s] maturity and his leadership has really bled into this program, [influencing] us in so many different dimensions,” Head Coach Jeff Nygaard said. 

Klein had plenty more success during the third set, bringing his total to 14 kills on the night, but the middle blockers also found a groove again. Tomkinson went a perfect 6-for-6 on swings in the third set to finish second on the team with 10 kills at a .600 hitting clip. 

So, despite another tightly contested set, the Trojans just had too much offensive firepower. They handled the Tigers once again, 25-22, earning them a ranked sweep and improving their record to 2-0 to start the season. 

Tomkinson has been a real standout for the Trojans to start the season, especially given his high-level efficiency at such a young age. In his first two collegiate starts, Tomkinson has 14 kills, hits .542 and has impressed with his intangibles.

“He may not look as competitive as some of the other guys, but I’ve seen that guy hit the deck many times to get a ball as a seven footer,” Nygaard said. “And it’s like, that comes from [the heart].” 

At the center of a well-oiled offensive night of volleyball is always going to be the setter. Blanchette also stood out for the Trojans with 36 assists and several highlight-reel plays, including a couple kills of his own and a kick-set of sorts. 

Blanchette’s improvisation and at-all-costs attitude have been apparent to his team. 

“He’s a great setter,” Tomkinson said. “He’ll find me anywhere.” 

Despite the early season offensive success, Blanchette isn’t at all satisfied and is intent on continuing to work on improving the offense. 

“Connecting with guys, it can always get better,” Blanchette said. “There’s no such thing as a perfect connection.” 

The next opportunities the Trojans will have to improve their already-strong chemistry will be showdowns Friday against D’Youville and Saturday against Emmanuel, both at 7 p.m. at Galen Center.