University Southern California Trojans
Women's Volleyball Advances to NCAA Sweet 16
June 21, 1999 | Women's Volleyball
December 5, 1998
LOS ANGELES - The USC women's volleyball team, led by senior outside hitter Jennifer Kessy's 21 kills and 16 digs and senior setter Janice Mounts' 54 assists and 18 digs, defeated Texas A&M, 15-8, 8-15, 15-5, 15-5, in a second-round NCAA Tournament East Region match at the Lyon Center in front of 659 on Saturday night. USC improved to 24-5 while Texas A&M finished the season at 21-9. The Women of Troys 24 wins is their most since going 26-9 in 1985.
USC advances to the East Region semifinal at Florida, where the Women of Troy will face the Lady Gators. It will mark the fifth straight year that USC has reached the round of 16 and the Women of Troy will be looking to make their first regional final appearance since 1994.
"We had to be very intent and deliberate throughout the match to come out with the win," USC Coach Lisa Love said. "We are very excited to go to the Sweet 16."
The Women of Troy outhit the Aggies, .260 to .165, and held a slim edge in blocking, 13 to 12. USC played a fine defensive game that featured five players with at least 10 digs apiece.
USC senior middle blocker Jasmina Marinkovic posted 17 kills and eight blocks on the night and sophomore outside hitter Janae Henry added 12 kills and 11 digs.
Texas A&M, which has lost to USC in all three meetings, was led by senior outside hitter Stacy Sykora's 15 kills and 14 digs, junior middle blocker Amber Woolsey's 15 kills and junior middle blocker Lauri Leahy's 11 kills and nine blocks.
The Women of Troy opened a big lead in Game 1 at 10-2 but saw the Aggies close to within 12-8 before closing out the first frame. USC held leads of 6-1 and 7-5 in the second game, but Texas A&M scored eight points in a row to take a 13-7 lead en route to evening the match. USC controlled the remainder of the match, however, and was not seriously challenged in Games 3 or 4.
