LOS ANGELES— San Diego took down No. 17 USC in straight sets, 3-0, on Saturday evening at the Galen Center in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
 
The Toreros (18-12) defeated the Trojans 27-25, 25-21, 25-19 to advance to the NCAA Regional Semifinals for the first time since 2013.

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Katie Lukes led the Toreros with 12 kills and a .348 hitting percentage, while Roxie Wiblin chipped in eight kills and Hannah Patrick added seven. Addie Picha dominated at the net, registering seven blocks and Lauren Fuller and Kelli Barry anchored the back row with 12 digs and 10 digs respectively.
 
The Trojans (22-11) came out aggressive from the service line to start the match, putting USD out of system and giving USC a comfortable eight-point lead, 17-9, in set one. 
 
With the Trojans leading 18-11, the Toreros put together a 6-1 run behind two kills from Lukes and two from Picha. The Toreros pulled even at 22-22 but an attack error and a block gave USC set point. After a San Diego timeout, the Toreros fought off two set points and battled all the way back to take the first set, 27-25.
 
The Toreros then picked up right where they left off, storming out to a 9-3 lead to start the second set. The Trojans pulled even at 11-11 before USD stepped on the gas, hitting .300 in the set and cruising to a 25-21 victory and a two-set lead.
 
USC jumped in front quickly out of the intermission, leading the third set 7-3, before San Diego began to find its rhythm again. The Toreros went on a 7-1 run to pull ahead 10-8. The Trojans called a timeout but it did little to slow San Diego's momentum. USD never relinquished the lead again and won the third set 25-19 to secure the sweep over the tournament's No. 11 seed.
 
With the win, the Toreros advance to the Illinois regional semifinal where they will face the 6-seeded Wisconsin Badgers next Friday.

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