Cal State Northridge Opens Defense of CCAA Volleyball Title With Sweep

The Cal State Northridge womens volleyball team, which has won three straight California Collegiate Athletic Assn. titles, swept Cal State Dominguez Hills in the conference opener Tuesday night for both teams, 15-5, 11-15, 15-8, 15-5.

“One of the main differences the team is aware of is that we’re playing with a new intensity,” said team captain Karen Lontka. “There’s something there that wasn’t there last year. It all starts in practice. Our practices are harder than our games.”

Northridge (8-1 overall) was led by outside hitter Sue Darcey and middle blocker Chris Tedeschi, who each had 14 kills. Sophomore outside hitter Anna Garcia added six kills. The Matadors registered 102 hitting attempts to the Toros’ 63.

The Toros (3-6), however, turned in a solid defensive effort.

“They didn’t attack as well as we did, but they played really tough defense,” defensive specialist Karen Langston said. “They dug a lot of our hard-hit balls.”

Reserve middle blocker Mary Yackley played well in place of senior middle blocker Lontka, who left the second game with a slightly sprained ankle.

“Mary came in and did a great job. Walt was able to use a lot of different players,” Lontka said of Coach Walt Ker. “We’re off to a good start.”

Northridge, which reached the NCAA Division II final the last four years, is coming off a two-game victory over UC San Diego in the final of the La Verne tournament last weekend.