University Southern California Trojans
USC
UC Santa Barbara
Trojan Errors Prove Costly Against UCSB
November 27, 1999 | Women's Volleyball
Nov. 27, 1999
Long Beach, Calif. - Despite out-hitting UC Santa Barbara, .275 to .269, 14th-ranked USC fell to the Guachos, 3-0 (15-13, 15-9, 15-13), on Saturday, Nov. 27, the final day of the LBSU Thanksgiving Tournament. In front of 1,200 at the Long Beach State Pyramid, the Trojans were not able to take advantage of scoring opportunities in the three-game defeat.
The Women of Troy finish the 1999 regular season with a 20-8 overall record, while UC Santa Barbara improves to 26-5.
OH Antoinette Polk, who posted 17 kills in the match, was one of four Trojans to account for double figures in kills. OH Janae Henry (15 kills, 15 digs) and MB Jennifer Pahl (12 kills, 12 digs) each tallied double-doubles, while MB Amber Oliver (11 kills) led the team with a career-high seven total blocks. Oliver's efforts helped Troy also out-block the Gauchos, 9.0 to 6.0.
The Gauchos were led by OH Roberta Gehlke and Charlene Conley who tallied 21 and 22 kills, respectively.
Game one was a sideout battle between the two squads, as each alternated with the lead. With the score tied 12-12, USC attack errors gave the Gauchos their final three points for the 15-13 win. Trailing 13-3 in game two, the Trojans then forced five consecutive UCSB attack errors to come within four points, but another USC mistake and a kill by Gelhke led the Gauchos to a 15-9 victory. Midway through game three, OH Lauren Killian entered the match for USC and provided two block assists and three-straight kills for points. Killian helped tied the score 12-12 before two more team errors led Santa Barbara to a final 15-13 victory.
The Trojans' now await the NCAA tournament pairings to be announced on Sunday, Nov. 28. The first and second round of the postseason tournament will take place on Thursday, Dec. 2, through Saturday, Dec. 4.
