Top-seeded Cougars host 8-seed USC in MPSF quarterfinals

PROVO, Utah—No.1-seed BYU men’s volleyball welcomes No. 8-seed USC to the Smith Fieldhouse for the quarterfinals of the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation tournament Saturday at 7 p.m. MDT.

The match will be broadcast live on BYUtv and streamed live on byutv.org.

In the last meeting, the Cougars (18-8, 18-6 MPSF) swept USC (16-10, 14-10 MPSF) at the Fieldhouse Feb. 28. Earlier in the month, BYU defeated the Trojans 3-2 in California. The Cougars lead the overall series 32-11 and are 19-4 against USC at home.

BYU tied for first place with Pepperdine in the MPSF after regular-season play. It’s the Cougars’ second straight league title. With a victory Saturday, BYU would host the MPSF semifinals and final April 24 and 26, respectively.

After four road losses to end the season, the Cougars look to bounce back with a win Saturday. BYU is on a 23-match win streak in the Fieldhouse, stretching back to February 2013. The Cougars finished the regular season with an 11-0 home record.

Taylor Sander leads the Cougars with 4.53 kills per set, good for No. 2 in the nation. Michael Hatch leads the team with 1.34 blocks per set, which is No. 4 nationally. Other stat leaders include Jaylen Reyes with 1.78 digs per set and Tyler Heap with 10.60 assists per set.

For USC, Micah Christenson is first in the nation with an 11.69 assists average. Henry Cassiday is No. 2 nationally in digs per set with 3.04. Lucas Yoder leads the team in kills with 4.04 per set, while Andy Benesh leads in blocks with .97 per set.

Links to live stats and live streaming are available on the BYU men’s volleyball schedule page.