WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL CS NORTHRIDGE INVITATIONAL : Northridge, Cal Poly SLO Headed Toward Showdown

Cal State Northridge and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo appear headed toward a title showdown after each cruised to a pair of victories Friday in the Northridge invitational women’s volleyball tournament at Matador Gymnasium.

Northridge (20-7) defeated Northern Illinois, 15-6, 9-15, 15-11, 15-12, and Cal State Fullerton, 15-13, 15-5, 15-12, to run its winning streak to five. The Matadors, ranked 10th in the NCAA West region, have won 10 of their last 11 matches.

San Luis Obispo, which swept Northridge in the season opener, beat Fullerton, 15-5, 15-5, 15-13, and Nevada, 15-5, 15-4, 6-15, 15-7, to improve to 18-6.

Northridge will play Nevada (7-15) at 1 this afternoon and will conclude the round-robin tournament against San Luis Obispo at 7.

The Mustangs will play Northern Illinois (20-4) at 3 p.m. before meeting Northridge.

Nancy Nicholls, a senior middle blocker, led Northridge with 16 kills (.419 hitting percentage) and 12 digs in the victory over Northern Illinois.

Sophomore outside hitter Ana Kristich added 15 kills against the Huskies, and senior outside hitter Dawn Krenik had six kills and a match-high 20 digs.

Missy Clements, a sophomore outside hitter, had a match-high 12 kills with a .400 hitting percentage against Fullerton.

San Luis Obispo was led by senior middle blocker Lael Perlstrom, an All-Northwest region selection last season. Perlstrom had a two-match total of 29 kills (.339 hitting percentage) and 15 digs for the Mustangs.

Northern Illinois defeated Nevada, 10-15, 15-4, 15-2, 15-4, in the other match Friday.

Nikki Kozak had 14 kills and nine digs for Northern Illinois.

Kerry Haggard led Nevada with 14 kills and 10 digs.