University Southern California Trojans
No. 8 Women's Volleyball Downs OSU, 3-0
June 21, 1999 | Women's Volleyball
September 25, 1998
LOS ANGELES - The No. 8 USC women's volleyball team celebrated its Pacific-10 Conference home opener with a 15-3, 15-11, 15-13 win over Oregon State on Friday (Sept. 25) before 653 at the North Gym.
USC improved to 6-3 overall, 2-1 in the Pac-10. Oregon State dropped to 10-3, 0-2.
The Women of Troy were led by senior outside hitter Jennifer Kessy's 17 kills and nine digs and senior middle blocker Jasmina Marinkovic's 15 kills and five blocks. Walk-on sophomore outside hitter Shannon Redfern also had a fine match, posting career highs in kills (10) and blocks (five) while adding a match-high three aces and seven digs.
The Beavers were paced by sophomore outside hitter Krista Kinsman's nine kills and four blocks and junior outside hitter's Sarah Bjeldanes' eight kills and match-high six blocks.
USC outhit Oregon State, .342 to .120 and held a slight edge in blocks, 10-9.
The Women of Troy posted an easy victory in Game 1, going up 7-0 before the Beavers got on the board. Oregon State got to within 8-4, but USC rattled off seven consecutive points to end the game.
The Beavers got off to a hot start in Game 2 and led 6-0 before the Women of Troy scored. USC fought back slowly, turning a 9-6 disadvantage into a 12-9 lead on sophomore outside hitter Janae Henry's serve. Oregon State closed to within 12-11, but USC held on for the 2-0 lead.
USC opened a 9-4 lead in Game 3, but saw Oregon State claw back and tie the match at 9-9. The Women of Troy scored twice to take a 11-9 lead, but it was shortlived as the Beavers put away four straight points to take a 13-11 lead.
The Women of Troy countered, tying the match on an Oregon State attack error and an ace from freshman middle blocker Jennifer Pahl. A Marinkovic kill put USC a point away from the win and she combined with sophomore outside hitter Antoinette Polk for a match-winning block.
USC next hosts Oregon on Sunday (Sept. 27) at 11 a.m. at the North Gym. The Women of Troy have won the last 15 matches against the Ducks.
