OTHER SPORTS : CSUN Has Twin Strategy for Volleyball in ’87

The Cal State Northridge women’s volleyball team may have lost in the NCAA Division II final for the third straight year, but the Lady Matadors probably will again be ranked No. 1 at the start of the 1987 season.

Nine of the team’s top 10 players will return next fall, including All-Americans Angela Brinton and Sue Darcey. Two-time All-American Karen Lontka is the only regular who won’t be back.

In addition, twin freshmen Kathleen and Marianne Dixon will join the team. Kathleen, a 6-1 middle blocker, and Marianne, a 6-0 outside hitter, practiced with the volleyball team this fall before going out for basketball.

“I think Lontka’s shoes will be tough to fill in terms of leadership and competitiveness,” Coach Walt Ker said, “but I think Kathleen as a blocker is going to be a very positive force in the middle for us.”

She and her sister “dominated people” at times this fall, Ker said.

Five sophomores from the Valley and Moorpark college football teams have signed scholarships to attend Division I schools next year, and as many as 40 others are expected to follow.

From Valley, punter Tony Scarlata has signed with Oregon State, running back Victor Bowlay-Williams with Illinois and offensive guard Brian Adams with the University of the Pacific.

From Moorpark, two-time All-Western State Conference free safety Jeff Ebert signed with California and defensive tackle Brian Brawner will go to Memphis State.

Award winners: Cal Lutheran soccer players Peter Arreola and Robert Marti have been selected as honorable mention All-Americans in the NAIA. Marti, a senior from Simi Valley, was the leading scorer for the Kingsmen, who finished the season with a record of 14-6-1. Arreola is a sophomore from Redlands.

Jim Bittner, a running back at Moorpark College, has been awarded the Bill Hendrix Award, given to the team’s most inspirational player. The honor is named after the late Bill Hendrix, who was an avid Moorpark booster.

Glendale Coach Jim Sartoris and Riverside Coach Barry Meier have been selected state community college football Co-Coaches of the Year.