Sunday, November 9
Seattle, Wash.
2:00 PM
University of Washington
10-14,5-9Big Ten
1
vs
3
USC
19-5,10-4Big Ten
1
2
3
4
F
Southern California
21
25
25
25
3
Washington
25
20
19
16
1
No. 17 Trojans Take Four Set Tilt Over Dawgs
November 09, 2025 | Volleyball
SEATTLE – The Huskies started hot for the second match in a row but could not maintain the momentum, falling 25-21, 20-25, 19-25, 16-25 to 17th-ranked USC in front of 4,517 fans at Alaska Airlines Arena. Washington falls to 5-9 in the Big Ten and 10-14 overall and will need wins in five of its final six matches to make itself NCAA tourney eligible.
It was the second match in a row where UW took the first set at home but then lost the next three. The Huskies hit .375 in the opening set but USC's defense stepped up and held the Huskies to progressively lower percentages, at .143 in set two, .105 in set three, and .054 in set four. The Trojans (19-5, 10-4 Big Ten) have won eight matches in a row.
"We've come out strong but I don't know if it's lacking an ability to respond to the adjustments they made to us after the first game," said Head Coach Leslie Gabriel. "We have to be able to execute over and over for longer periods of time, not just the first set. USC is a good digging team and does a good job taking care of the ball when they do dig it. They played the perimeters and crashed on some of the tips, so we had a hard time finding the floor."
Kierstyn Barton had 13 kills and eight digs and Simona Mateska had 12 kills and seven digs. Washington rotated two setters from the start today, with Taylor Simpson collecting 21 assists and Alexis Haury posting 19. Elise Hani had five kills, hitting .455, with four blocks, Katy Wessels had a team-high six blocks, and Zoria Heard had a team-leading nine digs.
Up Next: The Dawgs go in search of some much-needed road wins next week, starting on Friday, Nov. 14, at Illinois. The Huskies then visit Northwestern next Sunday, Nov. 16, before coming home for the final two home matches on Nov. 20 and Nov. 22.
It was the second match in a row where UW took the first set at home but then lost the next three. The Huskies hit .375 in the opening set but USC's defense stepped up and held the Huskies to progressively lower percentages, at .143 in set two, .105 in set three, and .054 in set four. The Trojans (19-5, 10-4 Big Ten) have won eight matches in a row.
"We've come out strong but I don't know if it's lacking an ability to respond to the adjustments they made to us after the first game," said Head Coach Leslie Gabriel. "We have to be able to execute over and over for longer periods of time, not just the first set. USC is a good digging team and does a good job taking care of the ball when they do dig it. They played the perimeters and crashed on some of the tips, so we had a hard time finding the floor."
Kierstyn Barton had 13 kills and eight digs and Simona Mateska had 12 kills and seven digs. Washington rotated two setters from the start today, with Taylor Simpson collecting 21 assists and Alexis Haury posting 19. Elise Hani had five kills, hitting .455, with four blocks, Katy Wessels had a team-high six blocks, and Zoria Heard had a team-leading nine digs.
Up Next: The Dawgs go in search of some much-needed road wins next week, starting on Friday, Nov. 14, at Illinois. The Huskies then visit Northwestern next Sunday, Nov. 16, before coming home for the final two home matches on Nov. 20 and Nov. 22.
Team Stats
USC
UW
Kills
60
44
Errors
22
22
Attempts
130
135
Hitting %
.292
.163
Points
70.0
58.0
Assists
55
43
Aces
2
4
Blocks
8
10
Game Leaders
Kills
13
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Kills
12
Aces
2
Blocks
2
Kills
7
Aces
0
Blocks
2
Kills
5
Aces
0
Blocks
4
Players Mentioned
OH
/ VolleyballMB
/ Volleyball
S
/ Volleyball
L
/ VolleyballOH
/ Volleyball
S
/ Volleyball
MB
/ VolleyballSenior Night SWEEEEEEEEP 🧹🧹🧹
Sunday, November 23
HEC ED ERUPTS!!! Wessels seals set ✌️
Sunday, November 23
PLAY OF THE YEAR yay or nay??
Sunday, November 23
First set to the Dawgs!! A 9-1 run from 16-all 🔥🔥
Sunday, November 23
