Former South Bay standouts have USC women's volleyball team in NCAA semifinals

There might be snow on the ground outside the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Mo., but warm sand is never far from the thoughts of Kendall Bateman.

But first things first for Bateman and USC: the hardcourt in the NCAA Final Four that opens this evening, with the Trojans taking on Pac-10 rival California in the semifinals.

Bateman, a 5-foot-11 setter, is a junior for the Trojans, who might be overachieving with a young squad that relies heavily on three freshmen and a sophomore.

They might be getting their baptism by fire, but that's been ingrained in Bateman since her days of growing up in Manhattan Beach and then playing for Mira Costa High.

"I think coming to USC, there isa huge tradition of athletic excellence and it was pretty similar at Mira Costa with the legacy of teams before us," Bateman said Wednesday. "You kind of transfer into such a competitive atmosphere and know you have the history of teams before you so it's so exciting to be here."

USC (29-4) was edged out by Cal (29-3) for the Pac-10 title even though the Trojans defeated the Golden Bears in their two conference meetings. This is the first time the teams have met in the NCAA Tournament.

She is only one of four South Bay players representing the Trojans, joining All-America hitter Alex Jupiter (Redondo), freshman hitter Sam Hirschmann (Manhattan Beach, Marymount High) and freshman hitter Falyn Fonoimoana (Mira Costa), the Pac-10 Freshman of the Year.

Coach Mick Haley never