USC tops Stanford for volleyball title

Associated Press

NEW ORLEANS — It's taken just two years for famed volleyball coach Mick Haley to lead Southern California to a national championship.

Katie Olsovsky had 16 kills as top-seeded USC defeated Stanford, 30-27, 23-30, 30-24, 30-26, yesterday in the third meeting between the schools this season. It is USC's second title since winning the inaugural NCAA championship in 1981.

Haley, who won two national titles at Texas in 17 seasons and coached the 2000 U.S. volleyball team at the Sydney Olympics, has helped turn around the USC program when he officially took over in 2001.

"What a wonderful effort by this whole team," Haley said. "This is truly a team."

Olsovsky led a balanced attack as Keao Burdine and April Ross each had 15 kills and Emily Adams had 12 for USC (31-1).

"Everybody contributed and we played so well," Olsovsky said.

Oganna Nnamani led defending champion Stanford (33-5) with 19 kills. Logan Tom had 16 and Sara McGee added 11.

"They're a great team with great defenders," Tom said. "I was up and down. Sometimes I made plays, but there were some stretches when I didn't."