On the Road at USC

PROVO -- After splitting a pair of matches with second-ranked Hawaii at home last week, the BYU men's volleyball team will take to the road for the third time this season, traveling to Los Angeles to play the University of Southern California in two Mountain Pacific Sports Federation contests. The fourth-ranked Cougars (9-3, 9-3 MPSF) and the Trojans (3-12, 1-9 MPSF) will square off in the Lyon Center in back-to-back matches on Feb. 28 and Mar. 1.

"Any team we play in our league is good," BYU head coach Tom Peterson said. "USC is a tall team. They have some players on their roster who are 6-10, 6-9, and a few at 6-8. They are a really tall team, and we can't overlook that."

USC's top blockers have averaged more than one block per game on the season, and with their height the Cougars will have an extra challenge.

Coming off a 3-1 loss to Hawaii last week in the Marriott Center, the Cougars are looking to regain their momentum and bring home some wins. Peterson also hopes to give some of his less-visible players some time in the spotlight at USC.

"The competition is really close in practice," Peterson said. "I have a few players I'd like to get into the match and see how they play in real competition."

Since their first matchup in 1990, the Cougars command a 12-7 lead over the Trojans in the series, and are 4-3 in Los Angeles. USC is coming off a non-conference loss to Cal Baptist on Feb. 25 and is in a six-match losing streak, so will be hungry for a win at home this weekend.

Both matches will be held at 7 p.m. (PST) in the Lyon Center.