UCLA
10-6,4-2Big Ten
No. 22 USC
11-5,2-4Big Ten
UCLA Takes Down No. 22 USC in Straight Sets
October 11, 2025 | Women's Volleyball
LOS ANGELES โย The UCLA women's volleyball team earned its second straight ranked sweep, taking down No. 22 USC in straight sets on Saturday afternoon inside Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom Financial.
Set scores were 25-21, 25-22, 25-15.
UCLA (10-6, 4-2 Big Ten) was dominant at the net in the rivalry matchup, posting nine total blocks to hold USC (11-5, 2-4 Big Ten) to a hitting percentage of .115, its lowest of the season.ย Marianna Singletaryย led the Bruins' blocking defense with six blocks on the day.
Cheridyn Leveretteย led the offensive charge with a match-high 14 kills on a .290 hitting percentage, adding four digs and two blocks to round out a 15-point performance that anchored UCLA's attack.
Freshmanย Eliana Urzuaย continued her steady rise, reaching double-digit kills for the fourth time this season with 11, while also contributing seven digs in a balanced two-way effort.
Kate Duffeyย orchestrated the offense with precision, recording her fourth double-double of the year behind 30 assists and 11 digs. On the back line,ย Lola Schumacherย remained a model of consistency at libero, notching 11 digs for her sixth consecutive match in double figures.
USC came out firing, racing to an 11-2 lead in the early stages. UCLA weathered the storm and responded with a 9-2 run sparked by Phekran Kong's kill and Leverette's kill-block combo, trimming the deficit to 12-9. Singletary then took over at the net with three blocks in quick succession, helping UCLA tie the set at 14-14 during a 12-3 surge. Urzua's crafty tip and Carly Hendrickson's ace gave the Bruins their first lead at 17-16. The teams traded points until Leverette and Singletary delivered clutch kills to push UCLA ahead 22-21, forcing another USC timeout. The Bruins closed the set on a dominant 5-0 run, capped by Leverette's kill for set point. UCLA hit .333 and held USC to just .077, thanks to three blocks and nine forced attack errors.
USC again started strong, using a 4-0 burst to build an 8-4 lead. UCLA answered with a 3-0 run to close the gap, and after a long rally, USC earned a side out to momentarily halt the momentum. Duffey's ace flipped the script, giving UCLA a 13-12 lead. The Bruins' blocking continued to shine as Brooklyn Briscoe and Duffey teamed up for a key block at 17-16. Singletary then delivered a booming slide kill and followed it with a block to spark a 3-0 run, pushing UCLA ahead 23-20 and forcing a USC timeout. Despite a late push from the Trojans, UCLA held firm and took the set 25-22, with its defense once again proving decisive.
UCLA seized control early in the third set, with Leverette hammering three kills to help build a 12-7 lead. The Bruins won a marathon rally finished by Urzua's 10th kill of the match, prompting a USC timeout. The Trojans responded with a 3-0 run, but Kong's kill for side out preserved UCLA's cushion at 14-11. Duffey's dump kill extended the lead to four, and the Bruins never looked back. They closed the match with a final 5-0 run, capped by Kong's emphatic kill for match point.
UCLA will be back on the road next week, heading to Madison, Wisc. on Friday, Oct. 17 at 5 p.m. (PT) to take on No. 7 Wisconsin. The match will be televised nationally on Big Ten Network.
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