Aztec Women Face No. 2 USC in Volleyball Tonight

SAN DIEGO — The San Diego State women’s volleyball team will get an early test at 7:30 tonight when USC, led by Olympian Kim Ruddins, visits Peterson Gym.

The Aztecs (3-0), ranked ninth in the Tachikara Coaches’ preseason poll, have only two starters returning from the team that went 32-14 and lost to the Trojans in the NCAA regionals last year. Second-ranked USC (2-0) returns all six starters after recording a 30-7 record and advancing to the regional finals last fall.

Coach Chuck Erbe’s Trojans are led by Ruddins, an All-American setter who played for the U.S. team that won the silver medal at the 1984 Olympic Games, and outside hitter Tracy Clark, also an All-American.

Middle blocker Renee Pankopf and outside hitter Kim Harsch return to start for Aztec Coach Rudy Suwara. Joining them in the lineup is setter Liane Sato, an All-American candidate who transferred from UC Santa Barbara.