USC TROJAN INVITATIONAL
MATCH RESULTS
- #18 Creighton def. #8 Kentucky 3-1, (20-25, 25-18, 14-25, 25-21, 22-20)
- Creighton improves to 1-0, Kentucky falls to 0-1
- Los Angeles, California
- Attendance: 115
- Match Stats
The #18 Creighton Bluejays pulled off the upset in five sets over the eighth-ranked Kentucky Wildcats in the USC Trojan Invitational on Friday morning in the Galen Center. Each of the first four meetings between the two teams ended in sweeps, with victories alternating between Kentucky and Creighton. Creighton is now 68-55 all-time in 5-set matches, including 53-27 under Kirsten Bernthal Booth.
The Wildcats took charge in the beginning, taking the first set, and looked as though they were going to take the match after winning the third set 25-14 and having match point in the fifth. This was the highest scoring fifth set in the history of Creighton’s progam. The Bluejays were down 7-3 before catching up at 9-9. Neither team was ready to give up and pushed the match to 22-20. Creighton hit .444 in the match while holding their opponents to .000.
The Bluejays led in every statistical category in the match except blocks, in which they were outdone by one (12-11) – kills (66-49), assists (61-43), aces (5-4), and digs (73-63).
Jaali Winters led the Bluejays to the upset with 25 kills on 59 swings with seven errors for a .305 hitting clip, while Taryn Kloth added in another 17 kills on 44 swings with nine errors to end the night with a .182 hitting performance. Kari Zumach made a strong collegiate debut with eight kills and three blocks while Megan Ballenger took the court with 10 kills and six blocks.
Madelyn Cole produced a double-double with 53 assists and 13 digs while Brittany Witt picked up 16 digs.
For the Wildcats, Leah Edmond reached the 1,000 kill mark and Avery Skinner put down 15 kills while Gabby Curry picked up a team-best 13 digs.
MATCH RESULTS
- #10 USC def. #8 Kentucky 3-1, (22-25, 25-22, 25-23, 29-27)
- USC improves to 1-0, Kentucky falls to 0-2
- Los Angeles, California
- Attendance: 1,028
- Match Stats
It was a tough start for the #10 USC Trojans as they downed the #8 Kentucky Wildcats in four sets to win their season opener. Tough serves from the Trojans led them to victory, with eight aces on the night.
The Trojans outplayed the Wildcats in almost every category – kills (65-60), assists (61-56), aces (8-2), and blocks (4-2).
Brook Botkin was the star of the match for USC as she put down 19 kills and 11 digs for a double-double on the night. Emily Baptista posted 18 kills and two blocks with a .548 clip while Raquel Lazarodishedout 55 assists and six digs. In the backcourt, Victoria Garrick picked up a team-high 21 digs.
For Kentucky, Leah Edmond put down 16 kills on a .367 hitting clip while Alli Stumler added 15 kills and 13 digs for a double-double. In the back row, Gabby Curry picked up a match-best 22 digs while Madison Lilley added another 11.
MATCH RESULTS
- #20 Northern Iowa def. #18 Creighton 3-0, (25-23, 25-22, 25-19)
- Norther Iowa improves to 1-0, Creighton falls to 1-1
- Los Angeles, California
- Attendance: 160
- Match Stats
The #20 Northern Iowa Panthers pulled off the sweep over the #18 Creighton Bluejays in the USC Trojan Invitational on Friday night in Los Angeles, California. The two teams will have a rematch on September 15 at the Illini Classic.
The Panthers led in every statistical category in the match – kills (46-44), assists (44-38), aces (5-0), digs (47-37), and blocks (9-7). Northern Iowa hit .317 on the night while holding Creighton to a .252 clip.
Karlie Taylor led the Panthers to the upset with 18 kills on 37 swings with five errors for a .351 hitting clip, while Jaydlin Seehase added in another 12 kills on 34 swings with four errors to end the night with a .235 hitting performance. Piper Thomas made a strong season debut with six kills and three blocks while Kate Busswitz took the court with seven kills and four blocks.
Rachel Koop dished out 38 assists and seven digs while Kendyl Sorge picked up 13 digs.
For the Bluejays, Megan Ballenger put down 13 kills while Brittany Witt picked up a team-best 18 digs.
Leave a Reply