VOLLEYBALL ROUNDUP: TOUGH WIN FOR TROJANS.

Byline: Jill Painter Staff Writer

USC didn't lose a game in its first-round match in the NCAA tournament but it sure got tested.

College of Charleston was a scrappy, gutsy team and proved it could play with USC. Just not that it could beat it. The Trojans got typically steady performances from their middle blockers to post a 30-22, 30-24, 30-23 victory Thursday at Lyon Center.

USC is the two-time defending national champion and can three-peat with five more wins. USC (20-5) will face Kansas State (20-10) in the second round of the NCAA tournament today at Lyon Center.

``I thought our opponent was very worthy,'' USC coach Mick Haley said. ``It was very good for us. We had to work hard to come out with a victory. It was good for us. Now we need to sustain this momentum.''

Bibiana Candelas, who celebrated her birthday Thursday, had a match-high 17 kills. Keao Burdine and Emily Adams each had 11 kills. The Trojans totaled 56 kills and Charleston had just 39. But the Cougars had three more digs.

``A lot of people say the (Southern Conference) isn't strong and people overlook us but going out here shows other people what we're made of,'' Charleston middle blocker Tiffany Blum said.

The Trojans relied on their 6-foot-6 and 6-5 blockers to turn away Charleston's smaller lineup.

If USC is to win another title, it certainly won't be as easy as the past two. Thursday's match certainly indicated as much. The Trojans lost five players from last year's team that went undefeated. They also have ditched their countdown to the championship.

``This year it's a little different,'' Adams said. ``It's one game at a time. We're not looking too far ahead. So far, we're successful.''

--Kansas State d. CSUN 30-20, 30-23, 30-25: The Matadors made their second consecutive appearance in the NCAA tournament but the result was another first-round loss in three games. Last year, CSUN was swept by Loyola Marymount.

CSUN (17-10) struggled offensively and had just a .045 kill percentage. Senior Jen Ryan had a team-high 12 kills but Kansas State controlled Ryan and that took CSUN out of its customary rhythm.

``They were much bigger on the block,'' Ryan said. ``We're used to Big West blockers who are 6-foot-1. That made it hard offensively. I think they brought their `A' game.''

And a good game plan.

``We prepared well and watched a great deal of film,'' Kansas State coach Suzie Fritz said. ``We felt probably 60 percent of the offense goes to (Ryan). That was a very large factor.''

Jill Painter, [phone]

jill.painter(at)dailynews.com