LOS ANGELES – The UMBC volleyball squad (1-1) threw a scare into No. 24 USC (2-0) in the second set, but the Trojans prevailed in three sets over the Retrievers on Day Two of the Cardinal & Gold Classic at Galen Center.

USC triumphed, 25-15, 30-28, 25-12, hitting .375 for the match.

Sophomore outside hitter Mia Bilusic (Zagreb, Croatia) led the way for the visitors, recording 11 kills and committing only five errors. Senior outside hitter Kamani Conteh (New Castle, Del.) added nine kills, while junior libero Aysia Miller (Miliani, Hawaii) posted ten digs.  

HOW IT HAPPENED
·       SET 1: The Retrievers stayed even with USC early on, and crept ahead, 10-9. But with the Women of Troy leading, 15-14, the hosts heated up and outscored UMBC, 10-1, down the stretch to take the first set, 25-15.
·       SET 2: Trailing, 5-4, UMBC played a brilliant stretch of volleyball, earning 10 of the next 11 points to take a 14-6 lead. But the Trojans chipped away and eventually took a 21-20 lead. The Retrievers would knot the score seven times and fended off four set points before earning a set point at 28-27.  Aysia Miller's serve was strong, but USC executed perfectly to tie the score, then captured the next two points to prevail, 30-28. UMBC outhit USC, .265 to .250 in the set, but committed five service errors.
·       SET 3: USC jumped out to leads of 10-3 and 20-5, before the Retrievers fought until the end, winning seven of the final 12 points.   
UMBC completes play in L.A. by taking on 2021 Patriot League champion Colgate at 8:00 p.m. EST.