Kick Off the Season: Exciting Road Games Ahead in Los Angeles – University of San Diego Athletics

San Diego’s volleyball team is making waves this season. After a successful run at the Hawaiian Airlines Wahine Volleyball Classic, they are eager to continue their momentum at the Trojan Invitational in Los Angeles. The Toreros will face off against No. 13 Creighton, No. 22 USC, and UC Santa Barbara from September 5 to 7.

The matches will be held at the Galen Center, starting with Creighton on Friday. Fans can catch all the action live on Big Ten Plus and follow live stats on USCTrojans.com.

Matchups to Watch

• San Diego vs. Creighton: This will be their first matchup ever.

• San Diego vs. USC: The Toreros have faced the Trojans 17 times, winning four. The last encounter was in September 2023, where USC won 3-1, but San Diego pulled off an impressive win against them in September 2021.

• San Diego vs. UC Santa Barbara: The Gauchos lead the series, but the Toreros have won eight of the last ten meetings, including a dramatic reversal last year where they came back from a 2-0 deficit.

Recent Achievements

San Diego’s strong start reflects their talent. In the first week of play, they clinched three of the four West Coast Conference weekly awards.

Nemo Beach was named Offensive Player of the Week, leading the team with outstanding kill stats. BayLea Sparks, the Defensive Player of the Week, shined with numerous blocks. Kylie Munday earned the title of Setter of the Week, showcasing impressive assists and digs.

San Diego has also seen exciting new faces this season. Kali Engeman, a transfer from Minnesota, made an impactful debut, contributing significant kills and blocks.

Tough Competition Ahead

This season, San Diego’s opponents are no pushovers. Seven of their matches are against teams that qualified for last year’s NCAA Tournament, including Hawaii, Marquette, and USC. Facing top-tier teams will test the Toreros and help them grow stronger.

Global Representation

This summer, San Diego’s volleyball team made history by representing the USA at the World University Games in Berlin. Competing against teams from over 150 nations, they showcased their talent and teamwork. The experience helped players like Nemo Beach and Isabel Clark excel on an international stage, with standout performances in both offense and defense.

With an exciting season ahead, San Diego volleyball looks to build on this early success and show their new talents. Keep an eye on the Toreros as they dive into intense matches at the Trojan Invitational and beyond.

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