by SEATTLE – Washington ended its fifth-set drama streak, and was more than happy to do so, as the Huskies finished off visiting USC in four sets today in front of 1,900 fans at Alaska Airlines Arena. The Huskies (9-3, 2-2 Pac-12) hit .368 as a team, the highest percentage any USC (6-7, 2-2 Pac-12) opponent has hit this season, and added 10 aces and 12 blocks for a complete overall performance.
The Dawgs still needed a rally after dropping the first set, and USC had a 13-10 lead in set two, but UW went on a run to take set two and then controlled things from there, with a final line of 22-25, 25-20, 25-13, 25-19. It was the first Pac-12 match for the Dawgs to go less than five sets.
“To think about where we were a week ago, we’re feeling a lot different on a Sunday afternoon,” said Head Coach Keegan Cook. “Proud of that progress in terms of stuff you can see and then some other important values we’ve got in place. We’re moving in the right direction, still trying to shake that part of our identity where we weren’t really interested defensively in that first set. But after that, it was a fun match to be a part of.”
Putting away the Powell sets was Claire Hoffman, with 15 kills on a .361 attack percentage, Samantha Drechsel with 13 kills on a .348 mark with two aces, and Emoni Bush (Wei Wai Kum First Nation) with 12 kills on a .385 percentage plus four blocks.
Marin Grote had six kills and five blocks and Lauren Sanders had four kills and six blocks, as UW held a 12.0 to 6.0 advantage in blocking. Washington also doubled up USC in aces, 10-5, and missed just six serves while USC missed 13. Libero Lauren Bays had 12 digs.
“Distribution felt really good, really even. USC had a bunch of different, aggressive tactics, and we went back to hitting great shots all over the court and moving the ball around. Serve-receive was pretty steady, and Emoni Bush, when that position is firing, we’re a different team to handle.”
