LOS ANGELES, CALIF. - The Eagles would head up to Los Angeles to play against USC and try to split their series as USC won the first game in the conference in a close five set battle. Ultimately, the Eagles could not come out on top with a win, only taking one set off the Trojans.

In the first set, the Eagles would come out strong, forcing USC to burn their first timeout with a 5-1 lead. A few service errors from USC would let Concordia catch an easy break, keeping them in the lead the whole set. Concordia would not let up, finishing the set with a kill from Jordan Hoppe with a score 25-21. 

A kill from Raymond Barsemian would give the Eagles the first score of the second set. The Trojans would go on a four point run, having Eagles call their first timeout with a close score 5-8. Hunter Howell would snap the Trojans streak with a kill. Concordia would take their final timeout at 12-21. The timeout worked in the Eagles favor as the Trojans would miss their serve. A couple more kills from Howell would have CUI slowly creep back in the set, and forcing USC to take a timeout as well. The Eagles would not overcome to deficit and would lose 17-25 in the set.

The third set was no different as the score would continue to go back and forth between both teams. The score would be tied more than ten times, until the Trojans took a two point lead, having the Eagles take their first timeout at a score 16-18. After the timeout, Noah Lassandro would come out on the court with a kill to put the Eagles back in within one point. Ryan Moss from USC would get a couple kills to take a 19-22 lead, forcing another timeout from CUI. The Eagles would battle to win this set, with Zachary Meyer coming out with a kill, and a service error from USC would keep the game going. The Eagles could not stop the Trojans in the set, losing 21-25. 

The Eagles came out strong in the fourth set yet again, with the Trojans keeping up with them throughout the set. A few service errors from both teams, would keep each of them in the set. USC kills from Gianluca Grasso and Ryan Moss would give them a two point lead. A few mistakes from USC would keep Concordia in the game, being able to come within two points. A couple errors from the Eagles would cause them to take their final timeout, being down 16-22. Right out of the timeout, Barsemian and Hoppe would come out with two consecutive kills, and a hitting error by USC, coming within a few points. USC was able to finish the fourth set with a final score 20-25, not allowing Concordia to come back.

Barsemian led the Eagles with 13 kills on the night and nine digs. Meyer and Hoppe both had eight kills, each collecting three and nine digs as well. Howell would go 6-11, hitting .545. Hoppe would be the only player to contribute three aces. 

Concordia is now 10-14 in the season and will go to Arizona and face Grand Canyon University on Friday, March 22 at 7PM.