Video: No. 1 Ohio State overcomes slow start to beat USC

On the night when No. 1 Ohio State unveiled its 2016 NCAA championship at St. John’s Arena, the Buckeyes rallied to avoid a home upset in their season opener.

All-American opposite Miles Johnson had a match-high 15 kills and two aces as Ohio State rallied from a one-game deficit to beat USC 22-25, 27-25, 25-18, 25-16 at the AVCA Showcase on Friday in Columbus, Ohio.

Johnson, who had a .333 attack percentage, was one of two Buckeyes with double-digit kills. All-American outside attacker Nicolas Szerszen after having five kills in the opening-game loss finished the match with 11 kills.

Middle attacker Blake Lesson also was a perfect seven kills on seven attempts, while middle attacker Driss Guessous added six kills and zero attack errors in the victory.

Ohio State out-hit USC .250 to .081, including holding the Trojans to less than a .075 attack percentage in both of the final two games.

The Buckeyes also out-blocked the Trojans 13 to 9, but USC middle attacker Andy Benesh had a match-high seven blocks.

All-MPSF outside attacker Lucas Yoder in the loss also led the Trojans with 15 kills and eight digs.