COLLEGE HIGHLIGHTS : CSUN Whips UC San Diego in Volleyball

Mike Bird had a game-high 18 kills and 12 digs as the Cal State Northridge men’s volleyball team coasted to a 15-4, 15-3, 9-15, 15-4 nonconference victory over UC San Diego on Saturday night at CSUN.

Last month, the Tritons jumped out to a 2-1 game advantage before losing in five. But CSUN Coach John Price benched his starters after winning the first game and didn’t put them back in until the fourth. In the rematch, CSUN wasted no time in jumping out to a big lead.

The Matadors (9-14) needed only 35 minutes to win the first two games.

In the second game, CSUN had a .720 kill percentage to .107 for UCSD (14-14).

CSUN lost the third game and with it a chance for a sweep.

“We let down in the third game,” Price said. “Our passing broke down and we just seemed out of it mentally. But we came back well in the fourth and it was nice to see the guys lift the tempo again.”

In the fourth game, UCSD took the opening point, but Bird then served the Matadors to an 8-1 lead.

Bird, who had a kill percentage of .630, also had the final kill of the match.

Jeff McClean added 13 kills for CSUN.

The Matadors’ next game will be at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at home against defending national champion Pepperdine.