CSUN Takes Early Look at Future

With four of the eight participants from last year’s National Collegiate Athletic Assn. Division II national championships on hand, the Cal State Northridge women’s volleyball tournament affords the host Lady Matadors an opportunity to size up potential postseason foes.

After Friday’s opening round of the five-team, round-robin tournament, two things are abundantly clear:

Defending national champion Portland State and traditional power North Dakota State are certain to be among the strongest teams from their regions once again.

The other revelation, which hits Northridge much closer to home, is the strength of California Collegiate Athletic Assn. nemesis UC Riverside.

The Highlanders, with four starters back from last season, showed grit in defeating Northridge, 15-13, 15-11, 9-15, 15-12, then came back a few hours later and outlasted Portland State, 18-16, 15-5, 13-15, 4-15, 15-13, to emerge as the only unbeaten team in the tournament.

“Mentally, we’re a lot stronger this season,” said Sue Gozansky, who is in her 19th season as coach at Riverside. “With so many players back, we’re off to a quick start.

“But we’re going to have to keep improving because I know all of these teams are going to be much better by the end of the season.”

Riverside, which overcame deficits in each game against Northridge, was most impressive in erasing the Lady Matadors’ 9-0 advantage in the second game.

“I was pleased with our ability to maintain emotional control against Northridge,” Gozansky said. “That’s been our problem in the past.”

Northridge Coach Walt Ker took the opening loss in stride. “This loss comes at a great time for us to say, ‘Let’s respond,’ ” he said.

Northridge did just that in its evening match, defeating North Dakota State, 15-5, 16-18, 15-9, 8-15, 15-9.

Senior outside hitter Alissa Evans led Northridge with 18 kills.

“We were more consistent tonight,” said CSUN outside hitter Keira Middleton, who had 15 kills. “We need to keep it at the same level the rest of the tournament.”

Portland State opened the tournament by defeating San Francisco State, 15-5, 15-5, 12-15, 15-3. The Vikings were led by their terrific trio of Jenny Norlin (19 kills), Kari Kockler (17) and Maria Rickman (10).

After Riverside’s win over Northridge, North Dakota State swept San Francisco State, 15-13, 15-12, 15-6. Julie Sherman and Brenda Meyer each had 10 kills for North Dakota State.

The tournament concludes today. Northridge will play San Francisco State at noon and Portland State at 7 p.m.