Jan. 9, 2002

Over the years, USC men's volleyball teams always have had talent throughout their rosters.

But the 2002 Trojans feature two ingredients that have been in short supply in the past: depth and height.

This season, Troy will suit up its most players, 18, since 1991. And this will be the tallest USC team ever, the squad's average height is 6-6 and 8 players measure at least 6-7, including the tallest Trojan in history at 6-11.

That gives sixth-year USC head coach Pat Powers hope in 2002.

"The thing I like about this team is it has so much depth," said Powers, the former USC All-American, Olympic gold medallist and pro beach star. "In fact, it will be hard to settle on a traveling squad, much less a starting lineup. The players know it and that should make practices very competitive. Because of that depth, they really respect the play of their teammates.

"Another thing I like about this team is that the players improve on what we work on in practice at a much quicker rate than any of my previous teams. That's a reflection not only of our depth, but our team attitude."

Powers will be able to call on eight lettermen--including three starters--from last year's team which posted a 13-9 NCAA record (15-11 overall) and qualified for the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation tourney with a third place league finish at 10-7. The Trojans ended up ranked No. 10 nationally.

But, once again, a trip to the NCAA Final Four eluded Troy in 2001. USC has won four NCAA championships, finished second six times and was third once, but the Trojans haven't been to the Final Four since 1991.

Troy will rely on a mix of veterans and newcomers in its quest to get to the 2002 NCAAs. Many of the returnees have been moved to new positions.

Powers will choose from six Trojans to fill the outside and opposite hitter spots.

Hard-hitting Brook Billings, a 6-5 senior All-American, is at outside hitter this year to get more involved in the passing after starting at opposite hitter the previous three seasons. He topped USC in kills each of the past three years, including 390 last season. He also led USC in blocks (68) in 2001. A team co-captain, he spent the past summer training with the USA National Team.

"Brook is taking on a different role this year, playing a position he'll probably end up playing internationally in the future," said Powers. "That should help his game, as will the time he spent with the USA team this summer. He is one of the best players in college, a talented hitter and a much-improved passer and blocker."

Four other returnees--two with starting experience and two who have yet to play at USC--could benefit from position switches in 2002.

Beau Rawi, a 6-5 senior who has started 51 matches at middle blocker during the past three years, will compete for the starting opposite hitter job. A .383 career hitter, he appeared in only 13 matches in 2001. His 8 aces versus UC Irvine last spring was a USC match record. Mark Dusharme, a 6-8 junior with 31 starts at middle blocker the last two seasons, will battle for a starting outside hitter spot. He is a .345 career hitter, but played in only 15 matches last year. Marcus Gilmour, a 6-9 redshirt sophomore opposite hitter, has yet to step onto the court for Troy while recovering from knee surgery. But he could be the X factor for USC as he makes the move from outside hitter. Ian Gallagher, an untested 6-6 sophomore, has switched from setter to outside hitter and could make some noise there.

"Beau has adapted well to the transition to opposite," said Powers. "He is a phenomenal jumper, has a lightning-quick arm and is passing well. Mark could emerge as one of our leaders in 2002 because of his work ethic. He is such a physical player with size and a great arm. Marcus could be the key to our season. If he is fully healthy--and it looks like his knee is much better--he could be one of the best players in the MPSF. He's a good passer, a strong hitter and puts up a huge block. He could strike fear in the hearts of outside hitters in this league. Ian has been a big surprise. He has made major strides and has a legitimate chance to contribute, if not start, on the outside. He's a very physical player."

Also available from last year are a pair of sophomore outside hitters who didn't see any action: 6-7 Phil Peterson and 6-4 Charley Witt. Peterson sat out the 2001 campaign after transferring from San Diego State (the school dropped the sport), where he hit .467 while starting part of the 2000 season. Witt, whose brothers played at Stanford, could be slowed this year following foot surgery in early January.

"Phil has great vision in seeing the block and is an improving blocker," said Powers. "Charley made a lot of strides over the summer and in the fall, but the foot surgery could set him back."

Look for four Trojans--including a trio of freshmen who were named to the 2001 Volleyball Fab 50 team--to battle for time at the middle blocker spots.

Josh Day, an effective 6-5 junior who started in 2001, led USC's regulars in hitting percentage (.406) last spring and was second on the team in blocks (60). At 6-11, freshman middle blocker Phil Small is the tallest Trojan volleyballer ever. Last year, he was an All-State performer at North Penn High in Lansdale, Penn., and was a member of the 2001 USA Boys' Youth National Training Team. Chris McKniff, a 6-10 freshman middle blocker, was a three-time All-Stater at Sabino High in Tucson, Ariz., whose mother was an Olympic high jumper and father played college basketball. Jeff Bailey, a 6-7 freshman who can play both middle blocker and outside hitter (and even libero), was a three-time All-CIF Division III honoree at Francis Parker High in San Diego, Calif. Another freshman, 6-9 middle blocker/outside hitter Dan Newman from Windward School in Los Angeles, Calif., will redshirt in 2002 while recuperating from knee surgery last fall. He participated in the 2000 and 2001 USA Youth Development Camps.

"Josh should really come into his own this year," said Powers. "He's bigger and a better jumper now. He has established himself as our best middle blocker. Phil is a diamond in the rough. He has made huge strides since he arrived on campus. He was an unknown coming in, but he could end up as the best freshman in the nation. Chris gets better every day. He is hitting and blocking well, and is a big presence on the court. Jeff is the most athletic freshman we have. He's so good and so versatile, I'm not sure where to play him yet. Dan is an incredible talent, but will sit out this year with the knee injury."

Steady Miles McGann, a 6-5 junior who was last year's starting setter, is back. He had a team-high 990 assists in 2001. Also at the position is 6-7 freshman J.T. Gilmour, who was a three-time All-CIF first team and 2001 Volleyball Fab 50 pick at Santa Ynez (Calif.) Valley Union High. He's the younger brother of teammate Marcus Gilmour.

"Miles is setting a lot better now, therefore we are able to run a more comfortable offense," said Powers. "He has a sweet set of hands, an outstanding work ethic and is even keeled. He could be one of the surprises in the MPSF. J.T. has a great set of hands, is an outstanding blocker and his enthusiasm sparks the team. He has a great future coming very soon."

There even is depth at the libero position in 2002. Team co-captain Greg Burden capably handled that role the past two seasons. The 6-0 senior had 102 digs in 2001. But he'll be pushed by 6-3 sophomore Peter Jordan, who saw brief action in seven matches in 2001 at outside hitter, 6-2 junior Dustin Avol, who has appeared in 35 matches during the past two years as a backup setter and serving specialist, and 6-4 first-year freshman Blake Tippett, a 2001 Volleyball Fab 50 and All-CIF Division III first team selection at Newport Harbor High in Newport Beach, Calif. (he can also play outside hitter).

"Greg has the experience and continues to play well," said Powers. "He is our best defensive player and our best pure digger. Peter could emerge as our libero. He is a good passer and has a quick swing. More than anyone on our team, he has gotten better by hard work and sheer determination. Dustin is a good all-around player who can help us in a variety of roles. He is experienced and poised, and is a real sparkplug when he's on the court. Blake has a great arm, excellent court vision, sees the block well and is becoming a better passer."

USC lost three starters from 2001: middle blocker Donny Killian, who hit .346 last spring after transferring from Pepperdine and who now is an assistant coach with the Trojans, plus four-year starting outside hitters Trevor Julian and Eli Fairfield.

The Trojans face the always-daunting task of competing in the MPSF, the nation's premier conference. This year, for the first time, teams face each of the 11 other MPSF opponents twice in league play. Nine of USC's first 12 MPSF matches are on the road.

"The MPSF will be a monster this year," said Powers. "There will be no nights off. Teams that were down last year will be up this year. And the traditional powers will continue to be so."

So, where does USC fit in?

"Because we've moved some players to new positions this year, it could take us a while to get around that transition," said Powers. "But I think we'll peak at the right time. I like our chances."