THE DAY IN PREPS: USC SET FOR FOURTH SWEET 16.

Byline: Daily News

They have enough Sweet 16 experience. Now the Women of Troy are hoping for a taste of the Elite Eight.

The USC women's volleyball team, which has appeared in the Sweet 16 the past three years without advancing, is making its fourth straight appearance thanks to a 15-8, 8-15, 15-5, 15-5 victory over Texas A&M Saturday night at the Lyon Center in front of 659 fans.

Outside hitter Jennifer Kessy had a team-high 21 kills and Jasmina Markinovic added 17 kills for USC. The Women of Troy (24-6), who have won 20 of their last 22 matches, travel to face host Florida in the East Region on Thursday.

USC had little trouble in game 1 but Texas A&M (21-9) temporarily answered in game 2 as the Aggies controlled the net and had success serving.

``A&M's serving took us out of our offense in game two,'' USC coach Lisa Love said. ``Towards the end of that game we recovered and went on to play well the rest of the way.''

USC setter Janice Mounts had 54 assists and the team had 82 digs.

- Bryan Rodgers

Pioneers nipped: Michael Emard scored a game-high 25 points to lead St. Bonaventure (3-0) past Providence 63-60 in the championship game of the Providence boys' basketball tournament. Derek Jones paced the Pioneers (2-1) with 15 points.

Avedian MVP: Hoover's Zareh Avedian was named MVP of the Hoover-Burbank boys' basketball tournament Friday night after totaling 33 points, 22 rebounds and six blocked shots to lead the Tornadoes (3-0) past Crescenta Valley 85-70 in the championship game. Todik Khodeverdian led the Falcons (2-1) with 25 points.