CSUN’s Preparation for Volleyball Finals Keeps Ker Airborne

Walt Ker is becoming a travelin’ man.

The coach of the defending national champion Cal State Northridge women’s volleyball team made a whirlwind trip to the Midwest last weekend to scout Central Missouri State--the team the fifth-ranked Lady Matadors meet here tonight in the quarterfinals of the 8-team, single-elimination NCAA Division II championships at the Bison Sports Arena.

After Northridge’s regional win over Chapman last Friday, Ker had dinner, drove to the airport and caught a 2 a.m. flight to Kansas City, then drove another 1 1/2 hours to Warrensburg, Mo.

In Warrensburg, Ker watched seventh-ranked Central Missouri (32-5) whip East Texas State in 3 games.

“I spent about 10 hours traveling for a 45-minute match,” Ker said. “But it was worthwhile and I would have been remiss not to do it.

Never mind that Northridge (32-11) defeated Central Missouri in last season’s championship match and has won all 7 previous matches between the schools.

During a regular season in which the Lady Matadors stumbled several times and lost more matches than usual, Ker maintained that the only matches that really concerned him were the ones his team would play at nationals.

It is the same philosophy that has helped produce 10 consecutive playoff appearances. The Lady Matadors are pursuing their fourth national title (they won in 1980, ’83 and ‘87) as Ker concludes his 10th year with the program.

“I like where we are emotionally right now,” Ker said.

Central Missouri, winner of seven consecutive Missouri Intercollegiate Athletic Assn. titles, is led by middle blockers Pat Hempen and Becky Belland.

Hempen is a fifth-year senior and two-time All-American. Belland, a sophomore, was all-tournament at last year’s nationals.

The rest of the Jennies, however, are inexperienced. Three freshmen are in the starting lineup. Coach Peggy Martin, who is in her 13th year at Central Missouri, said the key to the match will be how her team receives serves.

“In matches past, they’ve literally served us off the court,” said Martin, whose teams have made the playoffs 6 years in a row. “I have to wonder if the pressure is going to get to our freshmen.”

Central Missouri could be in for a long night--and a quick match--if Northridge’s Keira Middleton heats up her serve the same way she did against Chapman. Middleton was named most valuable player of the regional after she served 21 points, including 6 aces against Chapman.

Northridge’s heaviest artillery is at the net. Setter Karen Langston is at the controls of an attack led by middle blockers Kathleen and Marianne Dixon--who average 2.98 and 2.47 kills a game, respectively. Outside hitter Alissa Evans (3.55) and Middleton (3.05) also should give Central Missouri trouble.