LOS ANGELES - The Lions battled hard but fell short against the No. 21 USC Trojans, 3-2, on Thursday night in the Lions/Trojans Invitational opening match.

Set one was a close contest, with the Lions scoring first and maintaining a slim lead. Midway through the set, LMU built momentum with a three-point run featuring a Kaitlyn Evans kill, ending with a kill from Leah Burrell, pushing the lead to 16-11. Jiana Lawson's kill brought LMU within five points of winning the set at 20-16, but USC responded with a five-point rally to snatch the lead, 21-20. After three more ties, the Trojans edged out the Lions, 26-24, to take the first set.

Set two mirrored the first in intensity, with four early ties before LMU scored three in a row to pull ahead, 10-7. The Lions maintained their lead, bolstered by a four-point streak capped by a Paige Flickinger kill, making it 18-15. However, the Trojans clawed back, tying the score three times before taking a narrow 24-23 lead. After several close exchanges, USC sealed the set with consecutive kills, winning 28-26.

In set three, LMU jumped to an early 3-1 lead, but USC quickly regained control with four straight kills. The Lions responded with three separate 3-0 runs, regaining the lead at 16-11. Key kills from Evans and Flickinger brought LMU within striking distance, and Sophia Meyers delivered the final blow for a 25-18 set win.

The fourth set was a thrilling marathon affair. USC initially dominated, surging ahead 12-7, but LMU answered with a 4-0 rally that tied the game at 13. Both teams traded points in a high-energy battle, with the set extending well past the typical finish. Ultimately, LMU prevailed with a three-point burst, capped by a block assist from Olivia Toland and Lawson, to take the set 35-33.

In the decisive fifth set, USC pulled ahead with multiple scoring runs, leading 9-4. The Lions fought back, coming within four points, but despite their efforts, the Trojans managed to stay in control. USC secured the final set, 15-10, clinching the match 3-2.

Flickinger dominated the match with a game-high 25 kills, while Evans topped both teams with nine blocks. Mia Schafer paced the Lions with 24 assists, closely followed by Delfina Schuh, who contributed 23 assists. Schafer also led the Lions defensively with 11 digs, matched by Flickinger and Sam Hastings, who each recorded 11 digs.

The Lions will be back in action tomorrow, September 20, at 6 PM at Gersten Pavilion.

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