How do you replace the National Player of the Year? USC men's volleyball has had the luxury of finding out in back-to-back seasons.
Murphy Troy passed the baton to Tony Ciarelli who led the Trojans to the NCAA Championship match. Now without Ciarelli, USC will rebuild around Micah Christenson, perhaps the nation's best setter.
The sophomore was named the National Newcomer of the Year and MPSF Freshman of the Year in 2012, but he will have a tougher task this season surrounded by 18 underclassmen on a 23-man roster.
"There is no doubt that Micah has the ability to be the best setter in the country," said head coach Bill Ferguson. "I expect him to take a more prominent role this year in leading our team on and off the court."
Click here for the complete season outlook.
The strength of this Trojan team is a young, but sturdy spine. Junior libero Henry Cassiday and sophomore middle blocker Robert Feathers have first team All-American potential.
The question marks for USC are on the outside. Who will supply the offense in Ciarelli's stead? While it may take some time to find the answers, Ferguson's program is built on consistency and the ability to reload.
"We lost several outstanding players and we now have a very young roster," said Ferguson. "But we have a good system in place here that has proven successful in the past."
USC men's volleyball begins its season this week with exhibitions against British Columbia-Okanagan and Alberta Thursday and Friday at Galen Center. The Trojans officially open on the road at UC San Diego (January 10) and UC Irvine (January 11) before the home opener versus Stanford (January 18).
Murphy Troy passed the baton to Tony Ciarelli who led the Trojans to the NCAA Championship match. Now without Ciarelli, USC will rebuild around Micah Christenson, perhaps the nation's best setter. The sophomore was named the National Newcomer of the Year and MPSF Freshman of the Year in 2012, but he will have a tougher task this season surrounded by 18 underclassmen on a 23-man roster.
"There is no doubt that Micah has the ability to be the best setter in the country," said head coach Bill Ferguson. "I expect him to take a more prominent role this year in leading our team on and off the court."
Click here for the complete season outlook.
The strength of this Trojan team is a young, but sturdy spine. Junior libero Henry Cassiday and sophomore middle blocker Robert Feathers have first team All-American potential.
The question marks for USC are on the outside. Who will supply the offense in Ciarelli's stead? While it may take some time to find the answers, Ferguson's program is built on consistency and the ability to reload.
"We lost several outstanding players and we now have a very young roster," said Ferguson. "But we have a good system in place here that has proven successful in the past."
USC men's volleyball begins its season this week with exhibitions against British Columbia-Okanagan and Alberta Thursday and Friday at Galen Center. The Trojans officially open on the road at UC San Diego (January 10) and UC Irvine (January 11) before the home opener versus Stanford (January 18).
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