Trojans Excited About Final Four Possibilities

By ERIC STEPHENS

Dec. 7, 2000 12 AM PT

TIMES STAFF WRITER

As much as he focused on stocking the USC women’s volleyball program for years to come, Coach Jerritt Elliott has his thoughts squarely on the present.

Once a dream, the NCAA Final Four is now within the grasp of the Trojans. They will try to take the next step tonight when they face Florida in the Pacific Regional semifinals at the Sports Arena.

Penn State plays Colorado State in tonight’s other semifinal. The winners advance to Friday’s regional final with a berth in the Final Four at stake.

Elliott couldn’t understand why Florida (29-4) didn’t earn a higher seeding in the 64-team tournament.

“They bring a lot to the table,” Elliott said. “They present some problems for us.”

Junior middle blocker Jennifer Pahl said it has been a breakthrough season. The Trojans shared the Pacific 10 Conference title with Arizona and have been sparked by a talented freshman class that includes the conference’s top newcomer, April Ross.

In the West Regional, Long Beach State (24-7), which has been to three consecutive Final Fours, takes a 10-game winning streak into its match against Hawaii (29-1) tonight at Honolulu.

UCLA (24-7) begins Mideast Region play Friday against Big West Conference champion Pacific (28-3).

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NCAA Women’s Volleyball

NCAA DIVISION I REGIONALS

All Times PST

TODAY

* Pacific Region semifinals at Sports Arena, Colorado State (32-4) vs. Penn State (29-5), 5 p.m.; Florida (29-4) vs. USC (27-2), 8 p.m.

* West Region semifinals at Honolulu, Minnesota (30-3) vs. UC Santa Barbara (25-7), 7 p.m.; Long Beach State (24-7) vs. Hawaii (29-1), 9 p.m.

FRIDAY

* Pacific final at Sports Arena, 4:30 p.m.

* West final at Honolulu, 9 p.m.

* Mideast Region semifinals at Madison, Wis., Pacific (28-3) vs. UCLA (24-7), 3 p.m.; Kansas State (23-8) vs. Wisconsin (30-3), 5 p.m.