CSUN Does the Expected--Loses to USC in Volleyball

In sports, inexperience often leads to unpredictability. Volleyball, however, is an exception. Cal State Northridge learned that lesson Monday night.

Playing without setter Matt Unger--who is temporarily ineligible--against a powerful team from USC, the Matadors were all too predictable in a nonconference match at CSUN that served as the season opener for both teams.

As a result, the Trojans took only 1 hour 40 minutes to dispatch Northridge, 15-5, 15-12, 15-9.

Unger, a redshirt sophomore, is attending interim classes and will not regain his eligibility until the middle of next week at the earliest, Coach John Price said.

Starting in Unger’s place was Gary Reznick, a freshman from Taft High, who was a bit skittish in his collegiate debut.

How much of a loss was Unger?

“Huge,” Price said without hesitation.

So, too, was USC’s margin of victory. The Trojans trailed only once, 3-2, in the match’s final game.

“We’ve been practicing and playing better than this,” Price said. “We’re capable of playing much better.

“Our passing was poor and we were very predictable. We were struggling with who to give the ball to. Our hitters were going against two (blockers) all night long.”

Bryan Ivie, a member of the U. S. national team, was a mainstay in the middle for the Trojans. He had match-highs with seven blocks and 24 kills. USC hit .343 as a team to Northridge’s .216.

Raphael Tulino, a junior middle-blocker, was a bright spot for the Matadors. He had a team-high 19 kills (on a .531 attack percentage) and five blocks. Freshman Coley Kyman had 16 kills, but only a .067 attack percentage.