CSUN Sweeps Stanford to Fuel Playoff Hopes

Revenge is a strong word, but Cal State Northridge reaped the benefits of its vengeful attitude Wednesday night by defeating Stanford, 15-9, 15-6, 15-11, in a Western Intercollegiate Volleyball Assn. match at CSUN.

Three weeks ago, the Matadors were dumped by the Cardinal in a five-game marathon in Palo Alto. That loss gave this win more meaning for Northridge.

“We wanted to show them how good we really are,” CSUN Coach John Price said. “That was one of our worst matches all year. This time, we were at home. I knew we were better than them physically. It was just a matter of putting it together mentally.”

After falling behind in the first game, 7-3, Price may have doubted his players’ mental capacity altogether, but when the Matadors came back to tie the score, 8-8, then surged to win the game, the coach said taking the match was a foregone conclusion.

“We dominated at the net and were very aggressive,” he said, “We blocked and attacked very well. The players concentrated in every game.”

If there was a Matador letdown, it came after CSUN took a 6-1 lead in the second game. Stanford ran off five consecutive points to tie the score, 6-6. But Jeff Campbell, who led Northridge with 18 kills, Raphael Tulino (14 kills) and Kien Do (12 kills) put an end to the Cardinal run by helping CSUN to nine unanswered points.

Stanford managed 11 points in the third game, but CSUN sealed the win when Tom Ribarich blocked Brad Nelson’s shot on match point.

The win kept the Matadors (13-13, 5-8 in WIVA play) in contention for a berth in the NCAA West regional. The top five finishers in the WIVA qualify for postseason play. Stanford and Pepperdine (both 4-6 in the WIVA) are battling with Northridge for the final playoff spot.

“We have a good chance of making it in because we’ve got the easiest remaining schedule,” Price said. “If we do get in, we’ll be one of the best teams there.”