Dec. 6, 1997

USC Beats San Diego in Five-Game Thriller

LOS ANGELES - In a stirring match-up of sister against sister, USC's Janice Mounts (Jr., Bakersfield, CA) served match point as the Trojans rallied to subdue an inspired Lamanda Mounts (Sr., Bakersfield, CA) and the University San Diego in the second round of the NCAA Tournament Pacific Region at the Lyon Center.

With Janice setting the Trojan (23-5) attack, outside hitter Jennier Kessey got hot in the pivotal third game and pounded out a school-record 38 kills. After dropping the first two games 7-15 and 15-17 and facing elimination, SC came from behind 15-12, 15-5, and 16-14.

Coach Lisa Love's squad was frustrated early, leading 5-0 in the first and 11-10 in the second before falling.

In fact, SC trailed San Diego (26-4) 12-9 with a sweep match on the line in the third.

The Women of Troy advance to a third-round meeting with Nebraska on either December 11 or 12.

QUOTES

USC Setter Janice Mounts:
On playing agaisnt her older sister for the first time - "She's not very tall (5-10), but she's a great defensive player. We're a really tight family. It was nice meeting her in the tournament. It only get more exciting from here on out. (Laughs) Although I don't know how much more exciting we want it to get.

USD Outside Hitter Lamanda Mounts:
"If they're going to win, I'm glad she got it (serve for match point). I was looking forward to this so much ever since the pairings were announced. I'll remember this alot. It was very important to me. It would've been more memorable (laughs) had we won."

USC Coach Lisa Love
What a great job of surviving. USD is an excellent team. Every swing we took, San Diego dug or touched, which ignited them and was frustrating to us.

Jennifer Kessey had an extraordinarily powerful match, especially since she was coming off of bronchitis.