COLLEGE HIGHLIGHTS : Northridge Tops Long Beach State in Volleyball

It was a dream come true for CSUN men’s volleyball Coach John Price. The ninth-ranked Matadors upended seventh-ranked Long Beach State, 15-6, 9-15, 15-13, 15-10, at Northridge on Friday night.

“I could do no wrong as a coach tonight,” Price said. “The team did everything on its own.”

CSUN, 15-19 overall and 4-12 in the Western Intercollegiate Volleyball Assn., took charge in the first game with a 5-2 lead. Outside hitter Mike Bird stretched CSUN’s lead to 9-2 serving four consecutive points. Matador Tom Melville stretched the lead to 13-5 with four more serves. Kills by middle blockers Ron Graening and Jeff McClean finished the game.

Long Beach (18-15, 5-13) came alive in the second game and took a 5-4 lead. CSUN fought back to tie the score, 6-6, but Long Beach surged ahead 13-7. Bird came helped CSUN with two vicious kills, but Long Beach shut out the Matadors the rest of the way and won, 15-9.

In games three and four CSUN outplayed Long Brach with outstanding offense and a strong defense.

“We were in control the whole time,” Price said. “It was a nice team effort.”

Seniors Bird and Scott Brecker led CSUN with 23 kills and 11 kills. Graening contributed nine kills.

“This was my last home game,” Brecker said. “I’m stoked. This was a good way to go out.”