UCLA advances; Bruins coach wins Coach of Year

SAN ANTONIO--The USC/Illinois semifinal is every bit as thrilling as the UCLA/Florida State semi was dull.

With the Trojans and Illini trading amazing plays, USC finally ended the first set with a 27-25 win, courtesy of a block by Spokane's (Mead High School) Alexis Olgard.

UCLA completed a sweep of Florida State, with All-American Rachael Kidder doing most of the damage. Kidder has 21 kills, and hit .462.

UCLA's Rachael Kidder
[Volleyblog Seattle photo by Leslie Hamann]

UCLA's second-year coach, Mike Sealy, was named national Coach of the Year by the American Volleyball Coaches' Association. Interestingly, USC's Mick Haley was named Pac-12 Coach of the Year by fellow conference coaches.