HONOLULU — Fifth-ranked USC claimed its first Outrigger Volleyball Invitational championship with a four-set victory over No. 3 Hawaii on Saturday night at the Stan Sheriff Center.
The prestigious tournament’s Most Outstanding Player, 6-foot-6 hitter Dillon Klein, submitted a masterful performance with 21 kills against one error on 34 swings, hitting .588 to lead the Trojans in the 25-21, 25-20, 26-28, 25-21 victory in front of a season-high crowd of 7,771 (8,599 tickets issued).
Punahou School graduate Jack Deuchar provided highly effective support with 15 kills, five aces, six digs and three blocks for USC (16-2) of the MPSF.
After a slow start, UH (19-2) staged a rally and attempted to go for the reverse sweep, fighting off two match points in Set 3.
But it ran out of steam by the midpoint of Set 4 as USC built a moderate lead and protected it the rest of the way.
Freshman opposite Kristian Titriyski set a new season high of 23 kills but committed 12 errors and hit only .224.
Adrien Roure added 17 kills, Justin Todd eight and Kurt Nusterer seven. Roure and setter Tread Rosenthal were named to the all-tournament team for UH.
USC outblocked UH 9.5-5.5.

USC raised its first Outrigger Invitational koa trophy. (Spectrum News/Brian McInnis)

Hawaii players huddled up after their loss to USC. (Spectrum News/Brian McInnis)

Coach Charlie Wade looked toward the officials after a point in UH's favor. (Spectrum News/Brian McInnis)

USC's Jack Deuchar, a Punahou alumnus, went back to serve. (Spectrum News/Brian McInnis)

Hawaii hitter Louis Sakanoko took a swing against USC's triple block of Sterling Foley (12), Parker Tomkinson (8) and Caleb Blanchette (9). (Spectrum News/Brian McInnis)

UH opposite Kristian Titriyski went up against Dillon Klein (1) and Guy Genis (23) of USC. (Spectrum News/Brian McInnis)

Hawaii middle Kurt Nusterer attempted to put a ball down against USC's Guy Genis (23) and Jack Deuchar (23). (Spectrum News/Brian McInnis)

The season-high Stan Sheriff Center crowd of 7,771 reacted to a UH point. (Spectrum News/Brian McInnis)

USC's Dillon Klein tooled a ball off the block of Hawaii's Adrien Roure. (Spectrum News/Brian McInnis)

Hawaii middle Justin Todd was congratulated by Kristian Titriyski for a point. (Spectrum News/Brian McInnis)

USC's Dillon Klein skidded into the scorer's table on a successful block of UH. (Spectrum News/Brian McInnis)

Kristian Titriyski took a shot down the line against Dillon Klein. (Spectrum News/Brian McInnis)

Setter Tread Rosenthal held back an upset Kristian Titriyski at the net after the final point. (Spectrum News/Brian McInnis)

Hawaii assistant coach Chad Giesseman pushed Kristian Titriyski back. (Spectrum News/Brian McInnis)
Note: This story has been updated with photos.
Brian McInnis covers the state’s sports scene for Spectrum News Hawaii. He can be reached at brian.mcinnis@charter.com.