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USC will continue to fight on in the MPSF Tournament thanks to opposite Jack Deuchar
Deuchar led all players with a career-high 30 kills on a .407 attack percentage as the No. 6 seed USC upset the No. 3 seed BYU 30-32, 29-27, 25-23, 18-25, 15-12 in the MPSF Tournament quarterfinals on Wednesday in Los Angeles.
Deuchar following the opening-game loss had a game-high nine kills in the second game with three kills coming in overtime to help even the match. The opposite also had a game-high five kills in the decisive fifth game, including kills on three consecutive USC points late in the game to set up a match-point.
This was the first match since early February that Deuchar hit more than .400. In addition, Deuchar entered the postseason not having more than 15 kills in a match during the last two months.
Along with the offensive performance, Deuchar added a match-high four aces.
Deuchar was one of three Trojans with double-digit kills against the Cougars. Outside attacker Dillon Klein contributed 12 kills, while middle attacker Kyle Paulson had 10 kills and zero errors on a match-best .667 attack percentage.
Despite the loss, setter Tyler Herget guided the BYU offense to out-hit USC .353 to .343. The Cougars, though, in the fifth game were limited to a .211 attack percentage.
Outside attacker Luke Benson led BYU with 25 kills on a .465 attack percentage. Outside attacker Miks Ramanis also had 19 kills and hit .325 in the season-ending loss.
USC won this match while blowing a 24-18 lead in the first game.
BYU overcame six game-points to force overtime. The Cougars fought off another Trojans’ game-point in overtime before ending the game with back-to-back kills from Ramanis.
USC with this victory will advance to play the defending NCAA champions and No. 1 seed UCLA in the MPSF Tournament semifinals on Thursday.
The Bruins swept the home-and-home series against their crosstown rivals during the regular season.