HONOLULU – In the final of the NCAA Honolulu Regional, the University of Southern California rallied to defeat Pepperdine in five sets, 25-16, 26-28, 19-25, 25-19, 15-10. USC (29-4) advances to the Final Four to be held Dec. 15 and 17 in San Antonio, Tex. Pepperdine closes the season at 25-7.
The Trojans won the match on the defensive end, with Alex Jupiter and Natalie Hagglund posting a combined 61 digs. Jupiter also poured in 17 kills matched by Katie Fuller who also had three blocks.
Four players posted double figures in kills for the Waves led by Kim Hill’s 17.
Pepperdine appeared outmatched by the 7th-seeded Trojans, falling in the opening set 25-16. The Waves rallied to even the match with a thrilling 28-26 set two win. The two teams traded points late in set before a pair of Trojan errors gave the Waves the win.
USC dropped the third set but climbed out of their hole to even the match with a win in set four. The teams played each other even in the final frame before kills by Jupiter and Sara Shaw (7 kills, 15 digs) put USC ahead 11-7. The Trojans then coasted to the win.
All Tournament Team
Kanani Danielson – Hawai‘i
Jane Croson – Hawai‘i
Kathleen Ludwig - K-State
Kim Hill - Pepperdine
Stevi Robinson - Pepperdine
Kendall Bateman - USC
Alex Jupiter - USC (Most Outstanding Player)
-UH-
