CSUN Volleyball Team Battles at Bottom

In most league races, there are two battles: one at the top and one at the bottom. Unfortunately for the Cal State Northridge volleyball team, the Matadors fall into the latter category.

But CSUN isn’t through fighting, even though the Matadors find themselves tied for ninth place in the 11-team California Intercollegiate Volleyball Assn. St. Mary’s is in last place.

On Friday night at the Northridge gym, CSUN handed St. Mary’s a message--the Matadors want no part of the CIVA cellar. It took the Matadors only three games to defeat St. Mary’s 15-7, 15-12, 15-5.

CSUN (4-11 in CIVA, 16-17 overall) plays against difficult competition most of the season. St. Mary’s (1-14 in CIVA) doesn’t fall into that category.

“I thought we played well, considering who we’re playing,” Northridge Coach John Price said. “It’s tough to continue to play at a high level against weaker competition.”

In the first game, it appeared the Matadors had taken St. Mary’s too lightly. CSUN easily made the first two points behind the setting of Mark Stein and Ed DeGrasse’s hitting.

The Matadors had problems controlling their passing and trailed 5-3 before reeling off eight straight points. St. Mary’s brought the pace of the first game to a snore with its basic offensive approach. The Matadors played like they were sleepwalking for much of the game but came roaring back in the end to win it, 15-7.

“We definitely had some passing problems,” Price said. “They don’t serve tough, and we let up even more.”

Even though the Matadors trailed, 9-4, in the second game, they never appeared to be in any real danger of losing. Once ahead, St. Mary’s made unforced errors.

“When they begin to think that they can win, that’s when we start to lose,” St. Mary’s Coach Eugene Glazenburg said.

In the third game, CSUN taught St. Mary’s what life in the CIVA, the most powerful volleyball league in the country, is all about. Price replaced the starting lineup, and an enthusiastic second string won the third game in impressive style.