USC Women of Troy

BASKETBALL ~ USC's back court is getting a boost as the women's basketball program welcomes two more newcomers to the 2021-22 roster with the additions of grad transfer Tera Reed and true freshman Bella Perkins, head coach Lindsay Gottlieb has announced today. A 6-0 guard hailing from Auckland New Zealand, Tera Reed earned back-to-back All-Atlantic 10 First Team awards in her sophomore and junior seasons at VCU and was a Third Team pick as a senior after helping the Commodore...Continue reading

ROWING ~ OS ANGELES--Six Trojans were named Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association (CRCA) Scholar Athletes on June 27. Mireille Codjia, Eden Cooper-Squires, Ezi Emenike, Maddy Kim, Lillian Lau and Emma Silverstein were each honored for their success in the classroom. USC now has 49 all-time scholar athlete selections. This is the first CRCA Scholar Athlete recognition for all six women. In order to be chosen as a CRCA Scholar Athlete, the student-athlete must have a 3.5 cumu...lative GPA or higher for her career and row in her institution's NCAA eligible boats for a minimum of 75% of the current spring races. For a full list of award recipients, majors and GPA's, see below: Mireille Codjia, R-Sr., 3.65, Master's in Global Supply Chain Management Eden Cooper-Squires, So., 3.92, International Relations Ezi Emenike, So., 3.76, Communication Maddy Kim, Jr., 3.66, Intelligence and Cyber Operations Lillian Lau, Jr., 3.54, Industrial and Systems Engineering Emma Silverstein, So., 3.77, Civil Engineering

SWIMMING & DIVING ~ The USC men's and women's swimming and diving program earned Division 1 Scholar All-America recognition from the College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA), as announced on Tuesday, June 22. USC was one of 426 schools to earn the honor for the Spring semester. Teams were selected on the basis of their Spring grade point averages. This May, the women's swim and dive program (25) turned in a spring term GPA of 3.34, while the men's sw...im and dive program (24) posted a spring term GPA of 3.35. About the CSCAA Founded in 1922, the College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA), is the nation's first organization of college coaches. The mission of the CSCAA is to advance the sport of swimming and diving with coaches at the epicenter of leadership, advocacy, and professional development.

OLYMPIC VOLLEYBALL ~ LOS ANGELES USC women's volleyball middle blocker Aleksandra Gryka (Warsaw, Poland/Liceum Marii Konopnickiej) has signed a contract to play professionally in Poland with ICapital Legionovia Legionowo, head coach Brad Keller announced on Tuesday, June 22. "I want to congratulate Ola and wish her well in her endeavors as a professional volleyball player," said Keller. "It was a pleasure working with her and I am excited to see her compete on the professi...onal level for years to come." Gryka was a member of USC's 2019 freshman class but was unable to join the program until the spring of 2020. She appeared in 14 matches during the shortened 2020-21 season and started 12 times. Gryka tallied 108 kills (33e) and had double-digit kills in three matches. She recorded 223 attacks to post a .336 hitting percentage, which ranked first on the team. She also collected 56 blocks to lead the Trojans with 0.93 blocks per set. Gryka scored in double digits 10 times (148.0 total points, 2.64 points per set) and finished the season with 11 service aces (including a career-high five aces at California, Feb. 20), 31 digs, and 10 assists. This summer, Gryka competed as a member of the Polish National Team at the Volleyball Nations League in Rimini, Italy; and helped Poland win five preliminary-round matches at the 16-team tournament set to run through June 25. Under Kellerin his first yearUSC (7-8, 7-8 Pac-12) concluded the 2020-21 season with four straight wins (at UCLA, at Arizona, vs. Colorado twice) and was competitive in each of its five-set losses to the league's top teams. The Trojans had seven matches cancelled for various reasons including COVID-19 protocols in the already-truncated Pac-12 season. Senior outside hitter Brooke Botkin (Houston, Texas/Pearland HS) was chosen to the Pac-12 All-Conference Team and received AVCA All-West Region honorable mention.

TRACKING TROJANS TO TOKYO ~ Since 1928, USC water polo has been represented at 14 different Olympic Games by 13 different nations. And when the Tokyo Olympic Games get underway this summer 2021, there will be Trojans in the water for a 15th round of the Summer Games. This will be the sixth consecutive Olympics with USC water polo players in the mix. So far, USC women have collected 14 medals since the women's game was included in the Olympics in 2000. On the men's side, Troja...ns have earned three medals As Olympic rosters are named, this list of USC water polo players current and alumni will be updated in the run-up to the Tokyo Games. AUSTRALIA WOMEN HANNAH BUCKLING Prior Olympics (finish): 2016 (6th place) Seasons played at USC: 1 (2013) 2013 NCAA Champion 2013 MPSF Tournament MVP 2013 All-America Second Team 2013 NCAA All-Tournament Second Team 2013 All-MPSF Honorable Mention 40 goals scored (third on team in 2013) 2013 MPSF All-Academic Scholar-Athlete 2013AWPCA All-Academic honoree TILLY KEARNS^* Seasons played at USC: 1 (2019) Scored 29 goals as a true freshman in 2019 Scored in 20 games, setting career high with five goals vs. Fresno State Helped USC reach the 2019 NCAA Tournament final 2019 ACWPC All-Academic honoree Sat out 2020 and 2021 seasons to train with Australia - Aussie Stingers debut: 2019 FINA World League Super Final Major: Communication USA WOMEN KALEIGH GILCHRIST Prior Olympics (finish): 2016 (Gold) Seasons played at USC: 4 (2011-14) 2013 NCAA Champion Ranks No. 12 all-time in career scoring at USC (142 goals) Two-time ACWPC All-American Led USC in scoring as a sophomore (47 goals) Major: Communication STEPHANIA HARALABIDIS* Seasons played at USC: 4 (2014-17) 2016 NCAA Champion USC's No. 2 all-time leading scorer (269 goals) Her 84 goals scored in 2017 was the third most in USC history 2016 Peter J. Cutino Award winner 2016 National & MPSF Player of the Year Two-time ACWPC First Team All-American 2016 NCAA Tournament MVP Major: International Relations Minor: Marketing PAIGE HAUSCHILD^* Seasons played at USC: 2 (2018-19) 2018 NCAA Champion Scored 68 goals as a true freshman in 2018 Ranks No. 26 all-time in career scoring at USC (117 goals) 2018 & 2019 Peter J. Cutino Award finalist Two-time ACWPC First Team All-American 2019 MPSF Tournament MVP 2018 MPSF Newcomer of the Year Sat out 2020 and 2021 seasons to train with Team USA Major: Communication AMANDA LONGAN* Seasons played at USC: 4 (2016-19) 2016 & 2018 NCAA Champion Ranks No. 2 all-time in career saves at USC (840 saves) 2018 Peter J. Cutino Award winner 2018 National & MPSF Player of the Year Two-time ACWPC First Team All-American 2018 NCAA Tournament MVP 2016 MPSF Tournament MVP Major: Psychology ^ current USC student-athlete * first-time Olympian

LOS ANGELES Anna Cockrell, winner of both the 100m hurdles and 400m hurdles at the 2021 NCAA Track & Field Championships, and baseball infielder/outfielder John Thomas have been named USC's 2020-21 Pac-12 Tom Hansen Conference Medal recipients today (June 23). Each year, the league awards Conference Medals to a male and female senior student-athlete at each participating institution who exhibit the greatest combination of scholarship, athletics and leadership. Anna Cockrell...Continue reading

BASKETBALL ~ LOS ANGELES The USC women's basketball team captured a wild win at Galen Center in gutting out its first overtime adventure of the season, beating visiting No. 25 Washington State 81-77. It was the third consecutive tight finish for the Trojans, who this time saw a 12-point lead over the Cougars melt away in the fourth before regrouping and making their winning move in OT behind a combined 15 points from Endyia Rogers and Angel Jackson. USC improves to 6-5 over...all and to 4-5 in Pac-12 play with the win. WSU goes to 7-2, 5-2. The lead changed hands 10 times in the first half of play as the Trojans and Cougars jostled for control. WSU was dominating the boards 24-10, but USC had the hotter hands from the floor as the Trojans shot 41 percent to 35 percent by the Cougars through the first 20 minutes of play. WSU had hit five first-half 3-pointers as well to three made by the Trojans to help account for the Cougars' 33-29 halftime advantage. By the final overtime buzzer, WSU had landed 13 three including a trio in. OT to five from the Trojans. USC still led the way offensively, though, with a final 47 percent effort from the floor to outpace the Cougars' final 38 percent. USC carved down the deficit on the boards, but WSU still held the advantage there 41-35. USC was led in scoring by Jordan Sanders' season-high 24 points, while Endyia Rogers added 16 nine of which came in overtime. Angel Jackson scored 12 for USC, as did Jordyn Jenkins, who also led on the boards with nine rebounds. WSU received a game-high 29 points from Charlisse Leger-Walker along with 23 from Krystal Leger-Walker, while Ula Motuga pulled in 12 rebounds for the Cougars.

SOCCER DRAFT ~ LOS ANGELES The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) held its annual college draft on Wednesday and USC had a pair of players selected in Tara McKeown and Kaylie Collins. McKeown, an All-American forward, was taken in the first round as the eight overall selection by the Washington Spirit, and Collins, the Trojans' All-American keeper, was selected 34th overall in the fourth round by the Orlando Pride. Both players will still be eligible to play this spring ...for USC. McKeown has played all over the pitch for the Trojans during her collegiate career, but really broke through as a star this past season when she moved up top and earned Pac-12 Forward of the Year and All-American first team recognition. As a junior, McKeown posted 15 goals and eight assists in leading USC to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament. In addition to be a consensus All-American, McKeown was a semifinalist for the MAC Hermann Trophy, given each year to the top collegiate soccer player in the country. The Trojan striker currently sits tied for sixth on the USC career goals list with 25 and is seventh on the career assists list with 20 helpers. In addition to her laundry list of 2019 accolades, McKeown earned All-Pac-12 recognition as a sophomore in 2018 and was named to the conference's All-Freshman Team in 2017. Collins redsirted her first year on campus (2016), but since then has been a mainstay in goal each of the last three campaigns leading USC to the postseason each year and earning Pac-12 Goalkeeper of the Year and All-American second team honors in 2018. In 2019, despite missing time early in the year with an injury, Collins came back to lead USC to an NCAA quarterfinals appearance. For her career, Collins ranks fourth with 23 solo-shutouts and is ninth with 162 career saves. Her 10 shutouts in 2018 were the fourth best total in program history and her 2018 goals against average (0.506) was ninth in the NCAA that year. Collins was named to the Pac-12's All-Freshman Team in 2017 and also earned All-Region first team honors in 2018.

BASKETBALL ~ Like many programs around the nation, the USC women's basketball team saw its postseason plans dashed by the danger of the coronavirus pandemic. The Women of Troy were poised for a position in the WNIT in March 2020, boasting a balanced and talented squad primed with potential for a deep run at the tourney. But safety came first, and competition was canceled. If anything, USC women's competitive fire was fanned. Since then, the Trojans' fighting spirit and camara...Continue reading

More than 150 student-athletes and staff attended the workshop with Hancock Alfaro, who is a Professor and Chair of Gender Studies at USC and a globally recognized scholar of intersectionality theory, a framework for analyzing and resolving inequality. Hancock Alfaro started the session with a quote from Nobel Prize winning author Toni Morrison: "The purpose of racism is distraction, to keep you from doing your work." Hancock Alfaro said she invoked this quote because "our at...Continue reading

3 for 3 Hailey and Julia won their third tournament together as champions of the AVP America / AVPNext Gold U.S. Open championship in Clearwater! #FightOn #USCBeach

Salute to Troy is this Friday!! Register now for a celebration that will include appearances from our football coaches and players, the Spirit of Troy, USC’s Song Girls, and more!! Link to register: https://usc.zoom.us/webi/register/WN_F_Y72rAUQEqc3jM_oiNZSA

SWIMMING & DIVING ~ USC women's swimming and diving will open this season's campaign as the nation's No. 15 team according to preseason rankings released Oct. 22 by the Collegiate College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA). The men's program checks in at No. 23 to open the season. The Women of Troy are the third highest ranked Pac-12 school in the preseason poll behind No. 2 Stanford and No. 5 Cal. On the men's side, USC checks in fifth in the Pac-12... behind No. 2 Cal, No. 11 Stanford, No. 12 Arizona State and No. 16 Arizona. This season, the Trojans are under the leadership of first year head coach Jeremy Kipp who returned to USC in May after coaching stints at Northwestern and Boise State. Kipp was on the USC men's and women's staff for eight seasons (2008-15), the first three as an assistant and the last five as the head assistant. Last season, the Women of Troy finished the season 5-3 in dual meet action, finished third at Pac-12 Championships and had 14 CSCAA All-Americans. With a relatively young squad including 12 freshmen, the Trojans finished 0-6 in dual action, were sixth at Pac-12's and had four CSCAA All-Americans. While the swimming & diving season remains questionable, the committee convened this week to establish dual meet rankings. All teams were eligible for the preseason edition of the 2020-21 polls. The rankings are voted on by CSCAA-member coaches and select media. Each committee includes nine representatives from the Power Five leagues, five at-large programs, and two media members. The women and men committee chairs are Naya Higashijima (SMU) and Bill Roberts (Navy). The polls are scheduled for release on November 19, December 17, January 21, and February 11. These dates are subject to change.

CALLING USC FOOTBALL FANS ~LOS ANGELES Salute To Troy, USC football's annual kickoff event for fans, will be held virtually this season on Friday, Oct. 30, at 5 p.m. PT. Fans are welcome to view Salute To Troy free online by registering HERE... https://usc.zoom.us/webi/register/WN_F_Y72rAUQEqc3jM_oiNZSA USC head coach Clay Helton and his staff will introduce the 2020 Trojan players. The event also will feature appearances by the Spirit of Troy, Song Girls, Spirit Leaders ...and Traveler as well as celebrate the 50th anniversary of the 1970 USC team and 25th anniversary of the 1995 Trojans. USC opens its 2020 season in the Coliseum on Nov. 7 against Arizona State. The game will kick off at 9 a.m. PT on FOX.

MEN'S GOLF HEAD COACH SPOTLIGHT~ USC men's golf head coach J.T. Higgins has never played competitive golf a day in his life. "When I have free time, I don't spend it on a golf course," the Hall of Fame coach said. Higgins has never enjoyed playing the game because his high expectations fuel frustration. He had planned on pursuing a career in basketball or baseball, both of which he competed in at Eastern Oregon University, but the time he has spent on a golf course has produc...Continue reading

VOLLEYBALL ~ LOS ANGELES Olympic medalist and All-American opposite hitter Karsta Lowe will join the USC women's volleyball staff as its volunteer assistant coach, first-year head coach Brad Keller announced on Wednesday, Oct. 21. "We are thrilled to welcome Karsta Lowe as our volunteer coach," said Keller. "Karsta is an impressive person with great energy and embodies what it means to be a professional. Her experiences at both the collegiate and international level will be...Continue reading

TRACK & FIELD / CROSS COUNTRY ~ Jebreh Harris has been named the assistant coach for distances and cross country with the USC track and field program it was announced by Trojan Director of Track & Field Caryl Smith Gilbert today (Oct. 21). Harris joins USC from Illinois, where he served as an assistant coach for middle distances and long sprints the past two seasons. Prior to his stint at Illinois Harris was the head cross country and assistant track and field coach at UNLV ...Continue reading

LACROSSE ~ SPARKS, Md. USC lacrosse midfielder Kelsey Huff (Eastport, N.Y./Eastport-South Manor HS) is one of 50 players who have been invited to the official tryout for the U.S. national team that will represent the country at the 2021 Women's Lacrosse World Championship; as announced by national team head coach Jenny Levy and her staff on Monday, Oct. 19. Huff is one of four Trojans who have received an invitation to the prestigious tryout. USC All-American midfielder and...Continue reading

BASKETBALL ~ Women of Troy begin practice at the Galen Center.

MEN & WOMEN'S SWIMMING & DIVING ~ Nine Trojan All-American, Olympic medalist and NCAA champion swimmers are set to compete in the International Swimming League's second season beginning Friday Oct. 16 at the Duna Arena in Budapest, Hungary. Competition kicks off this morning with the Energy Standard, Cali Condors, New York Breakers and LA Current. Serving as the G.M. for L.A. Current, NCAA Champion Lenny Krayzelburg will join forces with USA national teamer Kendyl Stewart and... Olympian Dylan Carter to represent L.A. Trojan All-American Jeff Julian, who coaches the Cali Condors and Kasia (Wilk) Wasick, who competes for the New York Breakers will also take part in the action. October 18 & 19 will feature the London Roar, DC Trident, Aqua Centurions and Team Iron, while the Tokyo Frog Kings and Toronto Titans will make their debuts October 24. Katelyn Sandeno, G.M. for the D.C. Trident will face the Team Iron squad comprised of Katrina Hosszu and NCAA relay champion Robert Glinta. Former USC head Coach Dave Salo's Tokyo team features Trojan great Vladimir Morozov and his former teammate and fellow NCAA champion Cristian Quintero. Louise Hansson, a three-time NCAA champion, will swim for the Toronto Titans with former teammate and NCAA relay winner Anika Apostalon. Just last month the league announced its swimmers would live, train and compete in the Hungary capital from Oct. 16 through Nov. 22. Top teams are scheduled to advance to a final stage in late December. For many of these Trojans, this weekend's ISL Budapest meets will mark the first time they have raced legitimately since before the pandemic started. All swimmers are staying on Margaret Island in a "bubble" type format similar to what was done in the women's and men's National Basketball Association in the United States. Fans from all over the world will enjoy this year's biggest global sport event and the only major competition to feature no less than 400 of the world's best swimmers, Olympic champions, and world record holders, over five weeks of action. The ISL 2020 season 2 will broadcast to more than 140 countries and territories around the world. How to Watch: USA audiences can watch on CBS starting Saturday, Oct. 17.

TRACK & FIELD GETTING TO KNOW JASMINE JONES ~ Freshman Jasmine Jones is a hurdler, sprinter and jumper from Duluth, Ga. who is in her first season on the USC track and field team. She was a 12-time individual Georgia state champion with bests of 13.19 in the 100m hurdles, 60.6 in the 400m hurdles and 20-2.00 in the long jump. We had a chance to catch up with her last week. Q - How are you doing? How are you adjusting to Los Angeles? J.J. - I'm doing pretty well. We started ...Continue reading

TENNIS ~Trojan sophomore Eryn Cayetano won the championship match of the Oracle ITA Masters Tournament on Sunday (Oct. 11). Cayetano defeated her fellow Trojan teammate and doubles partner, redshirt senior Angela Kulikov in the title match. "It felt special to win the first major tournament I've played in since beginning competition again," said Cayetano. "Plus, it was really special to compete against one of my idols, my teammate Angela. During the match, it was hard to sep...arate the emotions of how I was feeling competing against her. However, when the trophy ceremony happened, I was so grateful to represent USC and the Filipino community." "Eryn's path to the title was definitely a challenging one playing some of the top college players and pros en route to the championship," said head coach Alison Swain. "Her wins are a testament to the focus, worth ethic, resiliency and passion she has displayed throughout the last seven months. She and Angela are outstanding examples of Trojan values on and off the court. They both displayed the great competitors they are, but also their integrity, sportsmanship and professionalism during this event. I'm incredibly proud of both of them and the leadership they bring to our program." Cayetano and Kulikov successfully navigated their way through the singles draw. Cayetano defeated notable collegiate opponents like Jessica Failla from Pepperdine and Sophie Whittle of Gonzaga, while Kulikov beat Pac-12 opponent Samantha Hampton from Arizona State and Pepperdine's Alexa Ryngler. The doubles duo each secured placement in the final for their first match ever competing against each other in a tournament. Kulikov took the first set 6-3, but Cayetano battled back to claim the second set 6-2. The decisive tiebreak set went to extra points, and Cayetano came out victorious with a 12-10 score. Oracle ITA Masters SINGLES Round of 32 Oct. 9 Eryn Cayetano (USC) def. Leyden Games - 6-3, 6-3 Angela Kulikov (USC) def. Maxi Duncan 6-1, 7-5 Round of 16 Oct. 9 Eryn Cayetano (USC) def. Carolyn Campana (Wake Forest) 3-6, 6-3, 1-0 (12) Angela Kulikov (USC) def. Samantha Hampton (ASU) 6-2, 6-4 Quarterfinals Oct. 10 Eryn Cayetano. (USC) def. Jessica Failla (Pepperdine) - 4-6, 6-4, 1-0 (5) Angela Kulikov (USC) def. Ane-Christine Lutkemeyer 6-2, 6-4 Semifinals Oct. 10 Eryn Cayetano (USC) def. Sophie Whittle (Gonzaga) 6-1, 3-6, 1-0 (6) Angela Kulikov (USC) def. Alexa Ryngler (Pepperdine) 4-6, 6-4, 1-0 (11) Finals Oct. 11 Eryn Cayetano (USC) def. Angela Kulikov (USC) 3-6, 6-2, 1-0 (10)