The No. 3-ranked USC beach volleyball team is set to hit the sand for a critical weekend of competition at the MPSF Midseason Rumble, hosted this year by No. 7 Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona. The Trojans (6-2) will face a stacked field, with multiple top-10 opponents, making this one of the toughest stretches of the season so far.
The Midseason Rumble, running from March 8-9, features a loaded slate of matches for USC. The Trojans are scheduled to play four duels over the two-day event, beginning with No. 9 California and No. 7 Grand Canyon on Friday, followed by showdowns against No. 5 LMU and Arizona State on Saturday.
USC enters the weekend riding the momentum of a strong start to the 2024 season. After opening the year with back-to-back wins, the Women of Troy battled through a tough East Coast road trip, where they earned statement victories over Florida State and LSU but dropped competitive matches to No. 1 UCLA and No. 2 TCU. The Trojans have displayed resilience and depth throughout the season, with several pairs standing out early.
One key highlight has been the dominance of the top pair, Megan Kraft and Delaynie Maple, who have anchored the No. 1 court with an impressive 7-1 record so far. Their chemistry and experience have been crucial as the Trojans continue to face elite competition week after week.
The No. 2 and No. 3 pairs have also been rotating with depth as head coach Dain Blanton looks to solidify his most effective lineups. Fresh talent and returning veterans have blended well, with strong contributions from players like Gabby Walker, Ashlyn Rasnick-Pope, and Kelli Greene-Agnew.
The MPSF Midseason Rumble will provide USC with another opportunity to test itself against some of the nation’s best teams, especially with postseason seeding implications on the line. Every match counts as the Trojans chase their ultimate goal of returning to the NCAA Championship, where they are three-time defending national champions (2021, 2022, 2023).
“We know the competition is only getting tougher, and this is the part of the season where we want to really hit our stride,” said Coach Blanton ahead of the trip. “These are the kinds of weekends that prepare us for May.”
Following the MPSF Midseason Rumble, USC will return home to face crosstown rival No. 1 UCLA again on March 14 in what promises to be another marquee showdown. But first, all focus is on surviving and thriving in the Arizona desert.
Fans can follow the Trojans’ progress through live updates on USC’s official athletics website and social media channels, as well as live scoring from Grand Canyon University.
With another challenging test ahead, USC beach volleyball remains determined to defend its dynasty and continue building toward another championship run.
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