Box Score

HONOLULU – The University of Hawai`i men's volleyball team opened up a weekend series against No. 5 USC with a 3-0 loss on Friday night at the Stan Sheriff Center. The Warriors and Trojans face off for a final time on Saturday night.

 

With the loss, No. 14 UH falls to 8-18 overall and 5-16 in Mountain Pacific Sports Federation play. USC improves to 17-9 overall and 13-8 in conference action.

 

The two teams conclude the regular season Saturday, which will also be the final coaching appearance by Mike Wilton and three seniors, Sean Carney, Jim Clar and Michael China. First serve is set for 7 p.m.

 

Overall the Warriors were led by Joseph Strotman, who had 13 kills and hit .310. Strotman also added four digs and three blocks. Jim Clar and Matt Rawson each added seven kills and Sean Carney led the attack with 31 assists.

 

In the first set, the Warriors played even with the Trojans until the stretch run, where USC pulled out the 30-26 victory. Clar had three kills in the set, while Rawson and Strotman each had two kills.

 

USC took control of the second set early on and carried the momentum to a 30-18 victory. Strotman had four kills in the set, while Clar, Rawson and Gus Tuaniga each had two kills. The Trojans hit .515 in the set, while the Warriors hit .133.

 

The third set went back-and-forth until the Trojans took lead after the midway point. USC went on to win 30-23. Strotman once again led the way as he had seven kills in the set. Rawson added three kills and Clar had two.