USC Overpowers Central State in Straight Sets

The University of Southern California (USC) men's volleyball team powered by Central State (OH) on Tuesday afternoon, sweeping the Marauders 3-0 with set scores of 25-11, 25-15, and 25-14. The Men's Volleyball Match made some history as it is the first time a "Power Five" University played onsite at an HBCU.  These moments are large for the growth of the game.  In the end the USC Trojans' superior offense and defense were on full display at the Beacom Lewis Arena  in Wilberforce, Ohio, as they finished the Marauders in straight sets in route to a dominant win over Central State before an attendance of 1,103 spectators.  

The Marauders showed throughout the game that at times they belonged and could match the No. 6 ranked USC Trojans.   Toulmin Williams IV played an exceptional game with a strong performance hitting and defensively, a game that should prove pivotal for him moving forward.  

Key Performers for USC:

• Sterling Foley led USC in kills with 12, playing a key role in the Trojans' attacking efforts.
• Luke Hobus added 8 kills and continued to be a reliable force at the net.
• Ryan Sprague was instrumental in the Trojans' offense with a match-high 22 assists, providing excellent ball distribution for his teammates.

Standouts for Central State:

-Tyrone Sands contributed 9 kills and was particularly effective in the opening set. Sands also posted 2 assists, 3 digs, and 1 block to contribute across multiple facets of the game.
-Toulmin Williams IV finished with 8 kills and 5 digs.  
-Adam Sheppard finished with 20 assists

USC dominated in nearly every statistical category:

• Total Kills: USC – 44, Central State – 26
• Hitting Percentage: USC – .493, Central State – .127
• Assists: USC – 38, Central State – 26
• Service Aces: USC – 3, Central State – 0
• Digs: USC – 32, Central State – 21
• Total Blocks: USC – 8, Central State – 5

Facing a giant front line for USC, Central State struggled hitting, recording a hitting percentage of just .127 for the match. The Marauders' errors—16 attack errors and 11 service errors—made it difficult for them to sustain rallies against the No. 6 ranked USC team.  USC size and depth made it difficult for the Marauders to put strings of points together.  

This dominant performance from USC highlights the team's depth and efficiency. The Trojans were on fire offensively, hitting .493 for the match, and their defense was equally solid, holding Central State to just 26 kills. Not all is lost for Central State, there were plenty of positives to pull from the matchup and plenty of times where the Marauders looked like they are headed in the right direction.  The Marauders take on Wabash on Friday at home, start time is 7pm.  

Final Score:

• USC (3) def. Central State (0)
• Set Scores: 25-11, 25-15, 25-14