With the Cougar women’s volleyball team starting Pac-12 play season by losing their first two games, the team is looking to gain some momentum against a familiar foe.

WSU Head Coach Jen Greeny addressed last week’s match against Stanford and the team’s outlook to Friday’s match against No. 19 ranked USC at Tuesday’s press conference.

Greeny said she liked what she saw from her team against the Cardinal in last week’s match despite the Cougars 3-0 loss.

“We played pretty well the first set,” Greeny said. “The second set was kind of a disaster. We sort of disappeared for a while there but (I am) really proud of how they responded in that third set…I think the defense really picked up.”

Greeny also pointed out  specific players for their contributions on defense.

“Kyra Holt played some great defense along with Kate Sommer,” Greeny said.

Holt had 12 defensive digs in the game against Stanford along with an assisted block to contribute a total of 10.5 points. Sommer had 10 defensive digs in the game.

Last year, WSU played USC on Nov. 17 where they upset USC 3-2.

“It was such an exciting match,” Greeny said. “Coming from behind against No. 4 (USC) and it was late in the season so it was one of those things that the team really needed at the time… We know it is in our memory but we know it is in their memory as well. “

Greeney said The Cougars are excited to be home for the match against USC.

“It is a good thing any time teams have to come to Pullman,” Greeny said. “It’s another advantage for us and being in Bohler Gym where we can get the students and community members out and get it loud in there and really get that home court advantage.”

Washington State University will play host to USC 6:00 p.m. Friday. The game will be broadcasted on the Pac-12 TV Network.

Reporting by Alex Clark