LOS ANGELES, Ga. – The Wildcats wrapped up their biggest road trip in the short program history Friday afternoon. Fort Valley State found No. 14 USC a tough match up as the home team held court for the 3-0 men's volleyball victory.

The host Trojans (1-0) started fast in the match and did not look back for a 25-12 opening set score. The Wildcats (0-3) rebounded in set number two with a pair of early ties off Chey Cooper and Jaxon Hicks kills, and only trailed 15-11 midway through the set. USC, though, did not let FVSU any closer in a 25-17 second set final. After trailing by six early on in the third set, FVSU came back to within three following an Oshane Farquharson kill and a home attack error to make it 14-11. The nationally-ranked Trojans ran off 11 of the next 12 tallies to end the match, 25-12.

Hicks pounded nine kills and dug five attacks to lead the Wildcats effort. De'vonte Payton downed back-to-back winners early in the second set to pull FVSU to with a 6-5 margin of his five kills in the match. Cooper added four winners and the team's lone block. Jose Gallardo handed out 14 assists to go with two digs. Jaequon Henderson posted a pair of kills and set four kills, while Jamil Scott had three digs.

FVSU will now return back to the East Coast where it will have a week off before heading to Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Friday, Jan. 12 to battle Talladega College. First serve will be 5 p.m. CST/6 p.m. EST.

-Wildcats-