University Southern California Trojans
USC Women's Volleyball Falls To Minnesota In Five Games
December 04, 1999 | Women's Volleyball
Dec. 4, 1999
LOS ANGELES - Outside hitter Nicole Branagh had a match-high 31 kills as No. 20 Minnesota staged a near-miraculous comeback to defeat No. 14 USC, 3-15, 4-15, 16-14, 15-10, 15-10, in the second round of the NCAA Women's Volleyball Tournament held at USC's Lyon Center on Saturday (Dec. 4).
Minnesota improves to 27-8. USC ends its season at 21-9. The Golden Gophers advance to the Central Regional next week, where they will face top-ranked Penn State in State College, Penn.
USC, which handily won the first two games, was up 14-11 in game three before Minnesota scored five unanswered points. The Women of Troy held an 8-0 lead in game four before the Golden Gophers rallied. Minnesota never trailed in game five.
For the Trojans, outside hitter Antoinette Polk had a team-high 18 kills, while outside hitter Kashi Cormier recorded 17 kills and middle blocker Jennifer Pahl added 15 kills.
For the Gophers, middle blocker Stephanie Hagan had 16 kills, while setter Lindsay Berg had 14 digs and four service aces.
"I've got to think this was one of the great comebacks in NCAA history," said Minnesota head coach Mike Hebert. "I'm not sure that I've been part of a match where we've been down so far, not only in the score but we weren't playing well early on."
Said USC interim head coach Jerritt Elliott: "I'm numb. I really don't know what went wrong. In games one and two, we played phenomenal volleyball. But Minnesota then did an excellent job, they rebounded, found a way to win and got some confidence. Nicole Branagh took over the match."
