In a highly anticipated set of games between two top-five teams, USC and UCLA split a home and home, with each squad successfully defending its home court.  

On Thursday, No. 2 UCLA (20-5, 10-2 Mountain Pacific Sports Federation) — the two-time reigning NCAA champions — narrowly beat out the Trojans (20-6, 8-4) in five sets at Pauley Pavilion. The Bruins, who look poised to make a serious run at a three-peat, had a bit too much firepower for the Trojans.

It may have ended in defeat, but No. 5 USC looked ready to play Thursday night. Despite Bruin redshirt junior outside hitter Cooper Robinson putting up an impressive 8 kills in the first set, USC’s controlled passing and play at the net were enough to pull out a 25-22 win, giving the Trojans the early advantage. With 4 kills each, redshirt senior opposite hitter Jack Deuchar and freshman middle blocker Parker Tomkinson led USC’s attack. 

However, the first set was only the start of what would be a dominant night for Robinson. Racking up another 8 kills, Robinson continued to be the focus of UCLA’s offense and helped lead them to a 25-22 second set victory. The Trojans were never able to overcome an early 5-0 run by UCLA and trailed for the rest of the set. 

After a back-and-forth beginning to the third set, the Bruins went on a 4-0 run to solidify a lead that they would not surrender for the remainder of the set. 

Junior setter Andrew Rowan — a two-time American Volleyball Coaches Association First Team All-American — started to spread the ball out to his other pin hitters, with freshman outside hitter Sean Kelly racking up 5 kills and junior outside hitter Zach Rama contributing 4. After solid offensive performances in the first two sets, the Trojans floundered in the third, only recording four kills as a team. 

With their backs against the wall in the fourth set, the Trojans were able to overcome a small early UCLA lead with a 10-4 run in the middle of the set. USC’s stifling performance at the net with 6.5 blocks and disciplined attack helped them keep the match going with a 25-23 set win. Freshman outside hitter Christian Connell led the Trojans with 5 kills in the set. 

But the Trojans did not have what it took to tame the Bruins. The Trojans’ inability to match UCLA’s relentless attack in the final set gave the Bruins a decisive fifth set win. Even though just one of Robinson’s career-high 25 kills came in the final set, Rama’s 8 kills pushed UCLA to a commanding 15-11 fifth set victory. 

“They have a lot of depth at a lot of positions so any one of them could be on fire,” said Head Coach Jeff Nygaard.  

The Trojans entered Saturday night on a ten-match losing streak against the Bruins and were seeking to break what was now a streak of four straight losses on the season. 

Saturday’s Senior Night at Galen Center began on a similar tune to Thursday as another tightly contested set went the Trojans’ way. 

USC played to its strengths to respond to UCLA’s high-powered offense. Even though the Bruins had 10 more attempts on the attack and 2 more kills, the Trojans responded with what has become a crucial aspect of their game: dominating the net. With 5.5 team blocks, led by three from freshman outside hitter Sterling Foley, the Trojans were once again off to a solid start. 

The Trojans were able to continue to shine at the net in the second set with 3.5 blocks and put together another 25-22 set win. Junior outside hitter Dillon Klein racked up 6 kills as the Trojans took a commanding 2-0 lead over the Bruins. Despite another incredible set by Rama, putting up 7 kills, UCLA’s inability to gain any sustained momentum allowed USC to stay ahead for the majority of the set. 

In a third set where the Bruins outhit the Trojans and once again had 2 more kills, the Trojans ended the match with a third consecutive 25-22 win. Deuchar recorded 4 kills, energized the crowd with three service aces and had a strong defensive set.

On a quiet night for Robinson, recording 9 kills, Rama led the Bruins with 18 kills. 

“[Robinson’s] a really great player, I’ll give him a compliment. I know we did a good job against him tonight,” Nygaard said. 

USC’s middle blockers also came up big to seal the deal for the Trojans. Graduate middle blocker Guy Genis and Tomkinson combined for 11 kills and four blocks on the night. 

“You can set those guys from anywhere on the court and they really help me out,” said sophomore setter Caleb Blanchette. “I have so much trust in those guys.” 

Despite a tough final stretch to end the season, the Trojans put together one of their best wins of the year, sweeping their crosstown rival and the No. 2 team in the nation.

“We know that we have the capability of being a very tough team right when it matters most, so there’s a lot that can be said tonight,” Nygaard said. “I’m just proud of the team.”

With the MPSF Tournament looming, the focus shifts to playing under higher stakes. 

“We’re ending the season off on a high note, excited to go up to Malibu and play some volleyball,” Klein said. 

USC is the No. 2 seed in the MPSF Tournament, which will be held in Malibu from Tuesday to Saturday. The Trojans will receive a bye to the semifinals on Friday, where they could take on No. 4 seed Pepperdine (17-9, 7-5), No. 6 seed Stanford (11-14, 4-8) or No. 7 seed Menlo (13-12, 7-5) at Firestone Fieldhouse at 5 p.m.