Events
    Jan. 21, 1997

    Powers Gets His First Win As USC Beats UC San Diego

    LOS ANGELES, CA - The USC men's volleyball team defeated UC San Diego 15-7, 15-5, 12-15, 16-14 tonight at the North Gym before a crowd of 184, giving Pat Powers - a former Trojan, Olympic gold medalist and beach volleyball star - his first win as USC's head coach.

    USC improved to 1-1 overall and 1-0 in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation. UC San Diego fell to 1-3, 0-3.

    The Trojans got a team-high 13 kills from junior swing hitter Beau Bianchi, as well as 12 kills from sophomore opposite hitter Gabe Gardner and 10 from sophomore middle blocker Omar Rawi. USC outhit UC San Diego, .245 to .147.

    Senior outside hitter Eric Mai had a match-high 26 kills for the Trojans.

    The Trojans won the first two games easily. In game one, USC used a 6-0 to take an early 9-2 lead. The Trojans closed game two on a 9-1 run and hit .536.

    Against USC's reserves in game three, the Tritons broke a 10-10 tie and went on to win their only game. The Trojans reinserted most of their starters in game four, but the Tritons were still able to take a 14-10 lead. However, USC rallied and won the match by scoring the game's final six points.

    USC is next at the NCAA Preview Tournament, hosted by Ohio State, on Friday and Saturday (Jan. 24-25).

    USC Athletics