LOS ANGELES - The UC San Diego men's volleyball team was downed by USC in its 2016 road finale, 3-0, at the Galen Center on Saturday night. Set scores were 25-20, 25-17 and 25-13.
UCSD moves to 5-21 overall and 0-20 in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF). USC is now 7-16 overall and 5-14 in league play. The Trojans keep their hopes alive for the eighth and final spot in the MPSF Tournament, now half a match back of CSUN and California Baptist in that race, with a crucial home date Sunday against UC Irvine (5-14 MPSF). USC had also won the earlier meeting between the sides, 3-1, in La Jolla back on Feb. 6.
The host Trojans hit .414 (39-10-70) to just .078 (22-17-64) for UCSD, and produced nine service aces to only one by the visitors.
Triton sophomore Tanner Syftestad led all players with 13 kills, on .364 (13-5-22) hitting with three digs, one block solo and a block assist. Luke La Mont contributed three kills, two solo blocks and a block assist in a reserve role. Ian Colbert had four kills, a team-high five digs, and a solo stuff.
Lucas Yoder was the lone player in double-figure kills for USC, at 11. The six Trojan starters combined for all 39 kills for the home side. Middle blocker Andy Benesh put down seven kills without an error on 10 attempts (.700), and added two aces and a match-high four total blocks.
USC used a 4-0 run to jump out to a 9-4 lead in the opening frame and force the first timeout of the night. UCSD had registered the initial point, with two tie scores at the very start at 1-1 and 2-2. The Trojans held the advantage for the remainder.
The home team tallied the first three points of set two and stayed ahead throughout. A 5-0 stretch put the Trojans firmly in command at 12-5.
UCSD notched the first two points of the final game on two errors by the opponent, and still led a few moments later, 5-2. USC collected the next three points, however, and after a Syftestad kill gave the Tritons one final edge at 6-5, another run of four straight pushed them into a timeout, trailing 9-6. The Trojans cruised from there.
La Mont, Syftestad and freshman Nathan Thalken teamed up for the only triple block of the match, late in the second.
UCSD returns to La Jolla to round out its 2016 campaign with two home dates against MPSF foes next weekend. The Tritons host No. 5 Long Beach State on Friday, April 8, and No. 10 CSUN on Saturday, April 9. First serves inside RIMAC Arena are slated for 7 p.m., with Senior Night set for that Saturday.
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