MVLB–BYU Takes Out No. 5 USC

After a long waiting to take on USC, the Cougar's have done it again. They came back at USC this year with vengeance from last year. Taylor Sander (#12) came out once again to kill the Trojan's defense as well as their offense. He led the game with a total of 23 kills and five blocks. Also killing the game was senior opposite, Robb Stowell (#13) and Josue Rivera (#6). Senior setter, Joe Kaulikamoa (#8) put up 49 kill assists and dug up seven balls. Who really impressed me last night was middle blocker Quentin Smith (#2). He was blocking the Trojan's offense left and right, resulting in a career high of eight blocks. Freshman libero, Jaylen Reyes (#12), also had an awesome game. He dug up so many balls, I couldn't even keep track. Jaylen also had some amazing saves and a kill assist while sitting down. I had a chance to talk to Jaylen. I asked him how the pressure was out there on the court. "Dude, it's crazy, but once you get in the game it all goes away. Just play brah," he answered.

The first set started off going back and forth, Sander killing balls left and right, all the way till 15. That's when the Cougar's kicked it up a notch and went all the way till end game. USC saw the end of the first set coming, and came back from 18-23 to 22-23. That's when Sander came out again to finish it up.

Set number two kept going back and forth until about 15, when USC went on a run for 22-16. BYU tried to come back with everything that they got, but it wasn't enough to stop the Trojans, who took set two with a six point lead.

Set three came as a wake up call to BYU and wake up they did. Taylor Sander lead this set on both offense and defense. He recorded seven kills, five blocking assists, and an ace all in set three. BYU ran away with the third set in a convincing score, leaving USC in the dust. Final score was 25-17.

Set four cleared the night for the Cougars. The Trojans were about to run away with this set when they were up by four points but gave BYU a seven point streak "powered by Sander." Josue Rivera came out in the last two points with a kill and an ace to wrap up the night for BYU, who remains at the top of the nation.