USC women's volleyball is projected to finish fifth in the Pac-12 Women's Volleyball Coaches Poll that was announced on Tuesday. Tabbed an underdog by the conference coaches, the Trojans kick off their season on August 28 at the Women of Troy Baden Invitational. In 2014, USC made its 24th straight NCAA Tournament appearance before falling in the second round to No. 7 North Carolina.
In order to surprise the conference as a front-runner for the title, the Women of Troy will rely on the leadership from outside hitter Samantha Bricio. The senior was one of 14 players named to the Pac-12 Preseason All-Conference team, the third preseason recognition of her career. Bricio leads the conference in service aces (22) and is a two-time AVCA All-American. In her three seasons at USC, the outside hitter boasts a .250 hitting percentage and 3.93 kills per set. The senior is joined among the top returnees by libero Taylor Whittingham, an All-American honorable mention, along with a highly-touted freshman class.
