NEW ORLEANS -- It took 21 years, but the Women of Troy returned to the Division I Women's Volleyball Championship match in winning fashion. Southern California, winner of the inaugural Division I championship in 1981, grabbed its long-awaited second title with a 30-27, 23-30, 30-24, 30-26 victory over defending champion Stanford December 21.

The all-Pacific-10 Conference championship, the fifth in tournament history, gave Southern California and Stanford a chance to settle a score on neutral ground. The teams met twice during the regular season, with each winning a five-game match on the other's court.

Despite the familiarity with each other's systems, a balanced Southern California offense run by the setting duo of Tracy Lindquist and Toni Anderson kept the Cardinal guessing with four Trojans posting double-digit kills. Stanford found little relief throughout the match as Keao Burdine (15 kills) and April Ross (15 kills) pounded away from the outside positions and Emily Adams (12 kills) and Katie Olsovsky (16 kills) dominated from the middle.

When Southern California's enormous front line was not slowing down the Cardinal attack, libero Nicole Davis kept up the squad's stingy defense with spectacular digs and clutch contacts.

Stanford's hitting tandem of Logan Tom, who earlier had been named American Volleyball Coaches Association player of the year, and sophomore standout Ogonna Nnamani managed to get the Cardinal back in it with an astounding hitting performance in the second game. Tom and Nnamani hit 50 and 66 percent, respectively.

In game three, Southern California made several adjustments and regained its composure. Though Nnamani continued her tear with a 71 percent hitting clip, Tom could not sustain the effort, managing one kill in nine tries.

The fourth game saw Olsovsky smoke the Cardinal defenders for six kills. Though Tom got back in the match with seven kills of her own, it was too late for the Cardinal.

For second-year Southern California coach Mick Haley, the win marked his second championship overall and first at Southern California. Haley's Texas Longhorns won in 1988.

Southern California finished the year 33-1, while Stanford completed a 33-5 slate.

"Obviously, we are tickled. That was one of the most enjoyable things that I have ever been a part of. The team played exceptionally well," Haley said.

Ross added, "Personally, I wasn't going to make predictions. But we're a team that in a match like this, we're just not going to lose. We're going to do it for each other. We did it all for our teammates and because of our teammates."

The 2002 championship welcomed some familiar championship contenders. In the first semifinal, Stanford downed Hawaii's Rainbow Wahine in three games, 30-25, 30-27, 30-24. Hawaii's Kim Willoughby posted 22 kills and 11 digs in her Louisiana homecoming despite the loss. In the other semifinal, Southern California survived a first-game scare from Florida to win, 24-30, 30-25, 30-26, 30-24. Aury Cruz helped the Gators win their first game in six semifinal appearances.

The all-tournament team consisted of Southern California's Olsovsky, Ross and Burdine; Stanford's Tom and Nnamani; and Hawaii's Willoughby. Burdine was named the most outstanding player.

Semifinals

Stanford def. Hawaii, 30-25, 30-27, 30-24; Southern California def. Florida, 24-30, 30-25, 30-26, 30-24.

Championship