Huskies Drop Five-Setter At USC

Sunday, October 22

Los Angeles, CA

2:00 PM

University of Washington

13-8,4-6Pac-12

USC

13-7,7-3Pac-12

Washington

Southern California

October 22, 2023 | Volleyball

Box Score Box Score PDF

By: UW Athletic Communications

LOS ANGELES – Washington played some of its best volleyball today in the Galen Center but couldn't quite put away a tough Trojans squad which has not lost on its home floor this season. Audra Wilmes had 20 kills and Madi Endsley added 16 but the Huskies fell in five sets. Washington took the first and third sets but USC answered each time, winning by a final of 24-26, 25-23, 17-25, 25-17, 15-10.

The Huskies fall to 13-8 on the year and 4-6 in Pac-12 play while USC improves to 13-7 and 7-3.

Washington had an 8-6 lead in the fifth set at the side switch, but USC then scored seven unanswered points to seize control. The loss snapped a five-match win streak against USC for the Huskies. USC won in five sets for the second time this weekend, as it also rallied to beat fourth-ranked Washington State on Friday.

YES ?? DAWGS ??

Defense to offense faster than Meesh Powell!!#PointHuskies pic.twitter.com/Fmku2GDlTf
— Washington Volleyball (@UWVolleyball) October 22, 2023

The Huskies hit .211 and USC hit .245 for the match, but the teams were virtually even through four sets, and the difference was in set five, when the Huskies hit .143 and USC hit .389. USC had two more kills, 62-60, along with an edge in digs (75-65) and blocks (13.0 to 8.0). UW had one more ace, 8-7, but did not get an ace in the fourth and fifth sets after they broke open set three with several tough serves.

????????????#PointHuskies pic.twitter.com/GlPepF8S2h
— Washington Volleyball (@UWVolleyball) October 22, 2023

Wilmes had 20 kills for the second time in her career, and second time in just the past three matches. She tied her career-high with 11 digs, and hit .208 for the day. Endsley hit .316 with her 16 kills. Molly Wilson was just one assist shy of 50, but her 49 was still a career-high, and she led the team with 14 digs. Kierstyn Barton rallied impressively after a slow start to finish with 11 kills and 10 digs for a double-double.

Katy Wessels had six kills and Elise Hani had five kills and tied her career-high with seven blocks. Lauren Bays had 10 digs and two aces, and Grace Zilbert had nine digs and seven assists.

UP NEXT: Washington returns home to start the second half of Pac-12 play with the Oregon schools next weekend at Alaska Airlines Arena. The Dawgs host Oregon State next Friday at 7 p.m. on Pac-12 Networks. Then on Sunday, Oct. 29, UW will be on ESPN at 12 noon.