Box Score

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Reigning AVCA Player of the Year Costas Theocharidis served and spiked the second-ranked Warriors to their fifth consecutive road victory of the season, recording a school-best nine service aces and a match-high 21 kills, as Hawaii (1-3, 8-1 MPSF) swept past USC (5-14, 2-11 MPSF) in three straight, 30-13, 32-30, 30-26, at North Gym despite the absence of captain and starting outside hitter Eyal Zimet, who was ill.

The native of Orestiada, Greece posted a .613 hitting percentage on the night, waiting until midway through the third and final set to commit his first attacking error of the evening. He finished with just two errors in 31 total swings. Theocharidis' nine service aces broke the previous mark of seven, which was shared by Zimet, and former Warriors Mark Presho and Erik Pichel.

Theocharidis came-out smoking in game one, recording four service aces and five kills in seven attempts to help Hawaii out hit the Trojans, .529 to -.190, and run away with the set, 30-13. Senior middle Dejan Miladinovic, who led all players with six blocks, also enjoyed a hot first set, hitting .750 with three kills in four swings. The Trojans, meanwhile struggled with their attacks, downing just six kills while committing 10 errors in 21 attempts.

In game two, the match grew much more competitive, as the Warriors and Trojans matched each other with identical .444 attack percentages, as Hawaii snuck away with the 32-30 win. Theocharidis proved to be the difference, putting down nine kills in 11 swings in the second set as the Warriors rallied from a 16-13 deficit midway through the set.

Game three saw the Warriors use their finishing kick to rally past the Trojans, who led 19-18.

A large contingent of Hawaii supporters was in attendance at North Gym to help root on the Warriors as about 75 percent of the 425 fans counted at the match appeared to support the Warriors.

Zimet was held out of action after suffering from flu-like symptoms throughout the day. He was unable to retain any food and was deemed unfit to participate. His status is listed as day to day.

The Warriors and Trojans will conclude their MPSF series tomorrow with another match at 7:00 pm at North Gym. The contest will not be broadcast live as announced previously. Updates will be provided during the Rainbow Sports Radio broadcast of the Hawaii-UC Irvine baseball game.