Match Stats
- #12 USC def. Harvard 3-2, (25-16, 19-25, 25-18, 22-25, 15-8)
- USC improves to 9-12
- Harvard falls to 6-10
- Hosted by USC
- Match results
#12 USC is finding their groove this season, with Gianluca Grasso leading the way for the Trojans, posting another double-digit kill performance with 18 against the Crimson.
USC is still without Lucas Yoder, who is out of contest currently with an abdominal strain.
The first set started in a back and forth battle, until a big kill from Woody Cook moved all the momentum to the Trojans, taking the first 25-16. The second set was for Harvard who was able to take the set 25-19. The back and forth exchange continued until the match was forced into a deciding fifth set.
In the fifth, the scored was tied at 7-7, but the Trojans were able to go on an 8-1 run to conclude the set and the match at 15-8.
For USC, Grasso led with a double-double of 18 kills and 10 digs. Cook and Lucas Lossone were each able to throw down 15 kills while setter Gert Lisha dished out 56 assists and seven digs. In the back court Matt Douglas picked up a match-best 16 digs while Andy Benesh put down five blocks and three aces.
Three Harvard players recorded double-digit kills, with Casey White leading the way with 12 kills and seven digs. Matthew Ctvrtlik recorded a double-double with 10 kills and 19 assists, also adding seven digs. Erik Johnsson slammed down 10 kills and 10 digs for a double-double of his own.
Press Release
Courtesy of USC Athletics
Gianluca Grasso had 18 kills (hitting .300) to be USC’s leading scorer for the third match in a row in the Trojans’ 3-2 victory over Harvard, 25-16, 19-25, 25-18, 22-25, 15-8 on Tuesday night (March 14). The non-conference match played in USC’s Galen Center marked the Trojans’ third win in a row as they improved to 9-12 overall.
As a team, USC hit .376 while sophomore outside hitter Woody Cook scored 15 kills (hitting .414) and teammate freshman opposite hitter Lucas Lossone tallied up 15 kills of his own (hitting .400). Junior setter Gert Lisha dished out 56 assists and sophomore libero Matt Douglas had an excellent night as he recorded 16 digs.
For Harvard, senior outside hitter Casey White led the Crimson with 18 kills (hitting .300). As a team, Harvard hit .211 on the night.
USC collected 67 kills to Harvard’s 50, but the Trojans only recorded 9.5 team blocks to the Crimson’s 10.5. It was another big night from the service line as USC served up five aces, while Harvard scored six of their own.
The Trojans were once again without top outside hitter Lucas Yoder who is recovering from an abdominal strain.
Points were exchanged back-and-forth to open up the first set, but the Trojans went on a six-point run to make the score 12-6. USC’s momentum continued, and the Trojans went on to nab the first set 25-16. Harvard came back fighting with fire in the second set. With a tight score at 7-8, they capitalized on a missed serve by the Trojans and turned it into a three-point swing leaving USC trailing at 7-11. Although Grasso, Cook and Lossone were effective from the pins, it was not enough to secure the set which Harvard would win 25-19.
Similar to the previous two sets, the score remained close early on. A big kill from Cook followed by an ace from Benesh forced the Crimson into a timeout with the Trojans leading 20-15. USC continued to push points, and Lossone would claim the third set for the Trojans with a solo block. Harvard sprinted into the fourth set and jumped ahead 6-1 forcing USC into an early timeout. The Trojans would fight back closing the gap to tie up the score at 19-19. The Crimson then made the final push to take the fourth set 25-22. In the decisive fifth set, Benesh put up two blocks in a row to give USC a 7-4 lead. Harvard then fought back with three points in a row to tie up the score at 7-7. The Trojans regained momentum with two aces in a row from Benesh followed by two kills from Cook to make the score 12-7. USC made the final push to claim the set 15-8 and win the match.
USC’s next action will bring them back to the Galen Center where they will take on Sacred Heart in a non-conference match on Sunday (March 19) at 7 p.m. PT.
Press Release
Courtesy of Harvard Athletics
Despite a comeback in the fourth set to tie the game, Harvard men’s volleyball fell in a close battle to No. 14 USC, 3-2. The defeat came by set scores of 16-25, 25-19, 18-25, 25-22, 8-15.
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