USD Sweeper Nguyen Might Play Today

Trong Nguyen, the USD sweeper who went down with an injury to the left knee late in Friday’s 2-0 loss to No. 6 Santa Clara, suffered a contusion, not a fracture as initially feared, and may play in today’s game against St. Mary’s (1 p.m.), said Robert Button, team doctor.

Besides today’s match, USD, currently ranked No. 16, has one more West Coast Conference game remaining (against Portland State) in which to prove itself before NCAA tournament pairings are announced Nov. 5.

WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL

USD broke a three-game losing streak by defeating West Coast Conference rival Portland, 15-11, 17-15, 15-8 at the USD Sports Center.

Freshman middle blocker Nikki Wallace led with 17 kills. Senior Angie Race, another middle blocker, added 13.

USD improved to 11-13, 3-5 in the WCC, and Portland fell to 11-14, 3-8.

Point Loma Nazarene concluded the regular season with a 12-15, 15-5, 15-11, 15-17, 15-5 victory at Fresno Pacific. Roberta Simpson (23 kills), Torrey Pines alumna Jamie Wheat (19 kills) and LeAnne Lopez (64 assists) led PLNC, the nation’s No. 9 NAIA team. PLNC finished 11-1 with a championship in the Golden State Athletic Conference, and will enter Friday’s District 3 playoffs 22-7. Fresno Pacific fell to 24-14, 7-5.

April Bevine finished with a career-high 24 kills to lead U.S. International over Grand Canyon, 15-8, 15-6, 9-15, 15-12. USIU improved to 8-19, while Grand Canyon fell to 19-13.