2009 Pac-10 Women's Volleyball Preview Series

TEAM QUICK FACTS
2008 Overall Record: 17-12
2008 Pac-10 record/Finish: 9-9/t-5th

Starters Returning/Lost: 13/3
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 7 + libero/1
Newcomers: 4

Head Coach: Mick Haley (9 years)
Alma Mater: Ball State '65
Record at USC: 204-44 (8 years)
Assistant Coaches: Cookie Stevens, Tim Nollan

2009 TEAM PREVIEW
Leading the Conference with 13 letterwinners returning in 2009 with only three of them being seniors, the future looks bright for head coach Mick Haley and the Women of Troy. Experience is no longer a question for USC with seven starters plus the libero returning. At the outside hitter position, USC will have one of the deepest and most talented core at this position in the Conference. Leading the way will be senior Jessica Gysin, a 2008 asics/Volleyball Magazine All-American. Adding depth will be sophomores Alex Jupiter, who led USC in kills in 2008 at 3.24 kps, and Kimmee Roleder (2.21 kps), and incoming freshman Katie Fuller, a 2009 Volleyball Magazine Fab 50 selection. The setter position could be a concern as this position has the least amount of experience. Sophomore Kendall Bateman (2.72 aps) will get the nod as the top setter and junior Mychaela Miller will compete along with junior transfer Kelly Irvin of Virginia. A 2008 Pac-10 All-Freshman team honoree, sophomore middle blocker Lauren Williams led the team in hitting percentage (.323) and blocks per set (1.04). Senior libero Alli Hillgren ranked sixth in the Conference last season in digs with 449 (4.16 dps), earning All-Pac-10 honorable mention recognition as well being named to the Academic All-Pac-10 second team for the second year in a row. Hillgren needs 57 more digs to crack USC's top 10 all-time career digs list.

KEY MATCHUPS
• Oct. 2 - California at USC, 7:00 p.m. PT (FSN)
• Oct. 3 - Stanford at USC, 7:00 p.m. PT (FSN)
In 2008, California and USC split the season series that saw each team win on their own home court. USC defeated Cal, 3-2, at Galen Center and the Golden Bears topped the Women of Troy, 3-1, at Haas Pavilion. The game will be televised on Fox Sports Net. Last season, USC had games televised on four occasions and posted a 1-3 record in those contests, the lone win, a 3-0 victory over Army. Twenty-four hours after battling Cal, USC will have no time to relax as up next is national power Stanford. This game will also be on Fox Sports Net. USC will look to defeat Stanford for the first time since 2007.

TROJAN TO WATCH
5 • Jessica Gysin
SR • Outside Hitter • Los Gatos, Calif.

As a junior in 2008, senior outside hitter Jessica Gysin served as team captain and became USC's 30th All-American by earning Volleyball Magazine's All-American second team honors. In addition, she was named an All-Pac-10 Conference honoree. Named to the Holiday Inn LA City Center Trojan Invitational All-Tournament team and was named the Most Valuable Player at the West Point Challenge. Became the 16th player in USC history to reach the 1,000-kill mark in her career. Needs 413 kills to crack USC's all-time top 10 career kills list. Currently ranks seventh all-time on USC's career points list with 1,159, needing 353 points for second all-time. Is a dependable player, playing in at least 106 games in each of the past three seasons. Last season, ranked second on the team in games played (106), kills (334) and points (387.5).