PITTSBURGH -- The UMBC Volleyball team saw its season conclude against No. 8 Southern California on Friday evening in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Pitt. 

Hannah Howard picked up eight digs to become the first freshman in UMBC rally score era to reach 400 digs in a season. She is just the 19th Retriever to reach the plateau and just the second freshman ever (Kelly O'Brien, 1990) to hit the mark. Her 406 digs on the season were the 18th most in a season in program history

The Retrievers fought valiantly in the first set, taking multiple two point leads early before USC went on a 6-2 run to go up 13-9 and force a UMBC timeout.

UMBC responded with a 4-1 run to cut the deficit to 14-13, but the Women of Troy moved back ahead and would eventually take the set, 25-18.

USC went on an early 7-0 run in the second set to take control before eventually taking the set 25-10

The Women of Troy opened the third set by scoring eight of the first 10 points to once again gain control and would win it 25-12.

Kamani Conteh had X kills in the final match of her career, while Emily Ferketic closed her career in her hometown with two kills and a block.

Julija Grubisic Cabo tallied five kills, Mia Bilusic had six kills and six digs Serin Maden added nine assists and four digs, while Aysia Miller had six assists and nine digs

The Retrievers finish the season 17-8 and earned their fourth consecutive NCAA berth