USC Men's Volleyball 2009 Outlook
December 30, 2008 | Men's Volleyball
Dec. 30, 2008
"We're ready to be relevant again on the national scene."
So says third-year USC men's volleyball head coach Bill Ferguson about his 2009 Trojans, who are ranked sixth nationally in the AVCA pre-season poll.
It's been a while since the storied USC program has caused a stir on the collegiate landscape. During the 15-year span from 1977 through 1991, the Trojans appeared in 11 NCAA Final Fours, winning 4 NCAA titles and finishing second 6 times and third once.
In the 17 seasons since then, USC has never advanced out of its conference tournament.
Ferguson feels like a return to the Trojans' glory days is just around the corner, perhaps even coming as soon as 2009.
"We now have a roster that expects to compete for conference and national championships, and to win them," he said. "We're past our goal from my first 2 years of just getting into the conference tournament. We're ready to take the next step."
And if the Trojans' performances in the fall of 2008 are any indication, Ferguson might be prescient. USC captured a pair of pre-season tournaments, first winning the Can-Am Challenge by going 4-0 against top Canadian colleges (becoming the first NCAA team to go undefeated in the tourney since 2003) and then claiming the Hawaii Fall Tournament with wins versus Hawaii and BYU.
"If the fall is indicative of what's to come, we should have a very successful year," he said. "We now know how to win a tournament and string together wins. In Canada and Hawaii, we faced everything from blowing out inferior opponents to battling tooth-and-nail in order to win a match to bouncing back from a difficult loss."
USC sandwiches two more trips to the Hawaiian Islands around its always-challenging Mountain Pacific Sports Federation schedule, beginning its 2009 regular season at the Outrigger Hotels Invitational in Honolulu (opening against defending NCAA champ Penn State) and then concluding league play with a pair of matches in the Warriors' home arena.
Progress has been steady at USC under Ferguson. In his first season in 2007, he guided the Trojans to their most overall (12) and MPSF (9) wins, their highest MPSF finish (eighth) and their first MPSF tourney appearance since 2001. As a point of reference, in the previous 5 seasons before Ferguson's arrival, USC had won a combined total of 36 matches and finished no better than 11th in the MPSF.
USC improved again in 2008 by going 13-16 overall and 10-12 in the MPSF for another eighth place finish and conference tourney berth (its first back-to-back appearances since a 3-year streak from 1999 to 2001).
There were some historic wins along the way. In 2007, USC won at UCLA for the first time since 2000 (the 3-game sweep was its first over the Bruins since 1991) and also snapped a 12-match losing streak to Hawaii (doing so in Honolulu, its first win there since 1999). Last year, the Trojans won both UCLA matches, the first time USC defeated the Bruins twice in a row since 1991 and the first time since 1990 that USC recorded consecutive wins at Pauley Pavilion. And USC had a 5-game victory at 2008 NCAA finalist Pepperdine (USC's first victory in Malibu since 1999, snapping a 9-match losing streak there).
Several cornerstones from last year's squadoutside hitter Juan Figueroa, setter Jimmy Killian and middle blocker Andrew Vernon, each a 4-year starterhave graduated. Respectively, they own the USC rally scoring era career records for kills (1,627), assists (4,820) and blocks (362). Figueroa was a 2-time All-American second teamer, Killian was a 3-time USC captain and Vernon hit .399 in his career.
But Ferguson feels confident in his 2009 Trojans, despite their youth. Seventeen of the 23 players are underclassmen (including 9 freshmen), and there are only 3 seniors.
"We have a great mix of what I call 'young veterans,'" he said. "We have an experienced sophomore class and a competitive group of newcomers. I feel like we've turned the corner to fielding a team that is self-motivated and mature beyond its age."
Headlining the returnees is 6-8 sophomore outside hitter Murphy Troy, who might also play opposite hitter. The 2008 All-American honorable mention pick has been a starter from the moment he stepped on campus and should contend for All-American first team notice this season. He led USC in aces (35), was second in kills (430) and third in digs (144) last year while hitting .287 and adding 65 blocks. He ranked 19th nationally in points (4.83) and tied for 19th in aces (0.34) in 2008. He also was a key member of the USA Junior National team that won a bronze medal at the 2008 NORCECA Junior Championships.
"Murphy is the real deal," said Ferguson. "Although he's already one of the best players in the nation, he has a tremendous up-side. We'll ride him this year."
Another honors candidate is 6-8 junior Hunter Current, a .340 career hitter who likely will start at middle blocker for his third season in 2008. Last year, he had 154 kills while hitting .343 and posted a team-best 98 blocks.
"Hunter is one of the better offensive middles in the league," said Ferguson. "He's an experienced performer and is coming off a great fall."
Luke Morris, a 6-2 senior, is in line to start at libero for his fourth year. He has 727 career digs, including 259 in 2008 when he tied for 11th nationally in digs (2.43).
"Luke is an experienced, instinctive player who passes well," said Ferguson. "He has worked really hard and put in a lot of time in the weightroom, which led to him having his best fall showing ever."
Vernon's replacement in the middle should be 6-8 sophomore Austin Zahn, who started 17 matches in 2008. He hit .390 (tops among USC's regulars), with 85 kills and 60 blocks last season.
"Austin should be one of the best middle blockers in the country in 2009," said Ferguson. "He had one of the best off-seasons of anyone on the team. He was a leader on the court and in the weightroom."
Taking over the setting job for Killian will be 6-2 Riley McKibbin, who saw action in 21 matches as the backup in 2008. He got his sophomore campaign off to quick start, as he was named the NCAA MVP at the pre-season Can-Am Challenge. He has a strong Trojan background, as his uncle and aunt played at USC (and his younger brother has signed with the school in 2010).
"Riley is one of the best young setters in collegiate volleyball," said Ferguson. "He's a pure setter. He's a good floor leader, has outstanding natural instincts and is very competitive."
Several players are competing to fill Figueroa's outside hitter spot. And if Troy moves to opposite hitter, both outside jobs would be open.
Tony Ciarelli, a 6-6 true freshman whose parents played and coached the game, had an impressive showing in the fall and has an edge to start on the outside. He was a prep All-American second team and All-CIF Division I first team choice at Huntington Beach (Calif.) High last season, then was named MVP of the 2008 Junior Olympics 16-and-Under division and placed second at the FIVB Youth Beach World Championships.
"I'm excited about Tony's prospects," said Ferguson. "He'll be one of the top freshmen in the country. He has an extremely high volleyball IQ and is one of the most competitive players on our roster."
Other outside hitter possibilitieseach with various amounts of experienceinclude 6-4 sophomore Tyler Stevens, 6-5 soph Tri Bourne and 6-4 senior Matt Pavlovich. Stevens, whose mother is an assistant for the Women of Troy, appears healthy now after being bothered by a back injury the past 2 seasons (he saw brief action in 10 matches in 2008 after transferring from Ohio State). Bourne, who struggled through the fall with a sore back, started the last 8 matches of 2008 at opposite hitter, and could also work at that spot again this year. He had 59 kills, 99 digs and 24 blocks in 16 overall matches last spring. Pavlovich has 15 career starts, including 12 times in 2007 when he had 97 kills, 51 digs and 31 blocks. He has played in 49 matches at USC (he saw time mainly as a serving specialist in 2008). He also could play some at opposite hitter.
"Tyler appears to be completely healthy now and had a great fall," said Ferguson. "He's competing for a starting job. He serves well and plays good defense. He's also a fantastic leader and role model who provides our team with great direction and attitude. Tri might be our most important player because of his versatility and his character. He was limited in the fall because of his sore back, but I'm hoping he will gain momentum in the spring. Matt has had some really good moments on the court and is a very competitive player. He just needs to become more consistent. He's good enough to help us at two positions."
If Troy remains on the outside, 6-5 sophomore Sean Dennis might start at opposite hitter. He saw action in 8 matches in the first half of the 2008 season, notching 30 kills and 11 digs.
"Sean started throughout our fall season and did a nice job," said Ferguson. "He hits with a lot of range and he's a good defender. Plus, he's a real positive player and that rubs off on his teammates."
Five other returning players are pushing for playing time. Jon Hackett, a 6-9 junior who is a USC captain along with McKibbin, is an opposite hitter who is also working now at middle blocker. He has appeared in 22 matches in his career. Ian Wright is a promising but untested 6-7 redshirt freshman middle blocker. C.J. Schellenberg started at opposite hitter the last 3 seasons, but the 6-7 senior was hampered throughout this past fall with shoulder and ankle injuries that could limit him this spring. In his career, he has 827 kills, 294 digs, 191 blocks and 57 aces. He was third on the Trojans in kills (198) and aces (19) in 2008, and also had 72 digs and 42 blocks. Then there are redshirt freshmen Brad Keenan, a 6-4 libero who sat out 2008 with a knee injury, and 5-11 setter Vince Altamura, whose siblings played at USC.
"Jon is invaluable to us in a number of areas," said Ferguson. "First, he's a real team leader. And he can contribute effectively at two positions. Ian is one of our hardest workers and boosts the level of competition in practices. He's in the mix for playing time. C.J. is one of our most experienced players, but he really struggled with injuries in the fall. He's working hard to get back into the lineup, but he's got some challenges ahead of him.
"Brad is very much a possibility at libero, adding valuable competition and depth at the spot. He's one of our most competitive players and we have confidence in him, as he was on the floor during our championship victories in the fall tournaments. Vince is a young, developing player who runs our offense well and is a good competitor. He's fighting to be the backup setter."
The play of junior college transfer Matt Knutson, a 6-5 junior outside hitter from Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa (Calif.) who also played at Irvine (Calif.) Valley College, has attracted Ferguson's attention and he could battle for action this spring.
"Matt has been a very pleasant surprise," said Ferguson. "He's added great depth to our outside hitter position with his play, and he's a positive force on the team with his attitude and character."
Beside Ciarelli, there are 5 true freshmen who are challenging to get into the playing rotation:
--6-7 Steven Shandrick, who was a 2008 prep All-American second team and All-CIF Division I first team selection at Santa Margarita High in Rancho Santa Margarita (Calif.) in addition to being a 2-time Junior Olympics All-Tournament team member, could be the first middle off the bench.
--6-3 Jeff Carlson might be the backup setter. He earned prep All-American second team and All-CIF Division II first team honors at Corona del Mar (Calif.) High last season and teamed with Ciarelli to win the silver medal at the 2008 FIVB Youth Beach World Championships.
--6-5 opposite hitter Tucker Peleuses, a 2008 prep All-American first team and All-CIF Division I first team honoree at Newport Harbor High in Newport Beach (Calif.), is rounding into form after being slowed in the fall with a thumb injury.
--6-6 Steven Mochalski, a promising outside hitter, was the Co-MVP of the All-CIF Division I first team and was a prep All-American first teamer at 2008 CIF Division I titlist Mira Costa High in Manhattan Beach (Calif.). His father started on UCLA's 1982 NCAA championship team.
--6-1 Clay Knapp, a 2-time All-CIF Division II second teamer at Laguna Beach (Calif.) High, is a developing libero.
"Shandrick could emerge as one of the top young middle blockers in the MPSF," said Ferguson. "He had a great showing in the fall and should be in the playing rotation this season. Jeff was our backup setter throughout the fall and played really well. He's learning the position very quickly. Tucker is one of the strongest players we have, but he's still learning the game. He'll supply quality depth at the opposite hitter position and has a bright future. Mochalski has a great future here, too. He's an incredible server and a good blocker. As he matures, he'll really help us out. Clay has the best natural ability and instincts of any of our liberos. As he gains experience, he'll be a very good player in the MPSF."
Two Trojans will redshirt in 2009: 6-4 sophomore middle blocker Jimmy Hirschmann, who is recuperating from shoulder surgery, and 5-10 soph libero Andrew Pizula, who transferred to USC after playing at 2008 junior college state finalist Orange Coast College.
There are some changes on Ferguson's coaching staff in 2009. Joining third-year assistant Brad Keller, who will serve as the offensive coordinator, will be newcomers Chuck Moore and Rocky Ciarelli. Moore, who also was a Trojan assistant in 1999, has coaching experience on the club and AVP levels. He'll be USC's defensive coordinator. Ciarelli, who will be a volunteer assistant, had a noted 27-year career in the high school ranks, including at Huntington Beach High where won CIF titles with the boys and girls teams and also coached his current Trojan freshman son Tony.
"We have a really solid staff now," said Ferguson, "and they blend perfectly with our players."
The ingredients, then, are there for the 2009 USC team to "be relevant again."
