June 15, 2007

By Geoffrey Cruz
Daily Trojan

June 15, 2007

Los Angeles, CA (CSTV U-WIRE) -- After losing in the third round in the 2006 NCAA Women's Volleyball Tournament, the Women of Troy entered the 32nd Annual Savaria Cup Tournament held in Szombathely, Hungary, as the only non-national team. There, USC shocked the competition, taking second place after defeating Slovakia and Sweden, claiming the greatest finish for any collegiate team in the tournament.

Traditionally, only national teams compete in the tournament.

"We originally scheduled this tournament as a 'ghost team' where we would play all of the other teams, but those matches would not count in the overall standings," USC coach Mick Haley said in a statement. "Then we were given a fantastic opportunity to compete in this historic tournament when Slovenia had to cancel."

Officially becoming a participant two days into the tournament, the Women of Troy shocked Slovakia with a 3-0 sweep. The Slovakian national team, which qualified as one of 16 teams in the 2007 European Championships in September, came into the tournament as one of the favorites to win. Slovakia led through most of the first game, but a late rally gave the Women of Troy the win, as they rode their momentum to victory, 25-23, 25-21, 25-16.

"Slovakia runs a very fast offense with great execution. We knew that could pose a problem for us and knew we had to serve them as tough as possible," outside hitter Diane Copenhagen said in a statement. "Once we started hitting, our serves we were able to control how they ran their offense."

The following day, the Hungarian national team outlasted USC in five games, 23-25, 25-17, 14-25, 25-16, 15-8. After splitting the first four games, Hungary quashed USC's comeback.

The next day, the Women of Troy were back in action as they played the Swedish national team. Again, USC started out slow, but was able to muster a 3-1 win, 25-23, 19-25, 25-19, 25-18. Outside hitter Jessica Gysin came off the bench in the second game and was unstoppable, leading the Women of Troy with 12 kills.

"Jess really sparked everyone on the floor and inspired everyone to play better," middle blocker Kelli Tennant said.

For USC to claim the Savaria Cup, Slovakia needed to defeat Hungary. Unfortunately, the Hungarian national team triumphed, claiming its first Savaria Cup in six years.

Outside hitter Asia Kaczor was named to the All-Tournament Team.

"I'm very happy with the way we stood toe-to-toe with these national teams," Haley said. "I think our team grew immensely."

Throughout the trip, the Women of Troy toured England, Poland, Hungary, Italy, and Switzerland. They visited Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, the Wieliczka Salt Mines in Poland, and shopping meccas Venice and Milan, in addition to an emotional trek through the Auschwitz Concentration Camp.

"The injustices and atrocities that occurred at Auschwitz were all on our minds as we walked the grounds," middle blocker Bethany Johansen said. "We couldn't stop thinking about those [who] lived there and those [whose] lives ended there."

The tour gave the girls something valuable to remember as they returned home, building a stronger bond between the team as it prepares for the 2007 season.

(C) 2007 Daily Trojan via CSTV U-WIRE