Root Leads Cheers in CSUN’s Volleyball Win

There was no Root root-rooting for the home team Wednesday night when Pepperdine played host to Cal State Northridge in a Western Intercollegiate Volleyball Assn. match.

And for good reason.

Mark Root, the former Chatsworth High standout who played two years for the Waves, returned to Firestone Fieldhouse wearing red--a CSUN uniform--and seeing red too.

Root’s scholarship was revoked by Pepperdine Coach Marv Dunphy after last season, forcing his transfer to Northridge.

Little did he know then that there would be a triumphant return.

Northridge, with Root in the lineup at outside hitter, swept the Waves, 15-13, 15-13, 16-14, before a vocal crowd of 1,059 in Malibu and a live cable-television audience.

Root’s numbers weren’t startling--three service aces, six kills, three digs and a block--but his fist-swinging celebration afterward was impressive.

“Three straight, I love it!” Root yelped between high-fives. “This is the best feeling I’ve ever had.”

And also one he never thought he would experience.

When he committed to CSUN after being released by Pepperdine, Root said he never thought the Matadors (3-3, 2-1 in conference play) would be able to provide him with a measure of revenge. “My heart was beating out of my shirt when I came in here,” Root said. “I never thought this would happen, but I sure am glad it did.”

The night was also sweet for Gary Reznick, CSUN’s setter who has been saddled with much of the blame when the Matadors have struggled this season.

Reznick, a freshman, has been learning the collegiate game the hard way while Matt Unger, Northridge’s projected starter at the position, has been trying to regain his athletic eligibility.

But in his first match since learning Unger likely would be out for the season, Reznick proved to be more than capable.

“He was great,” Price said of the former Taft High standout. “He was much more consistent with his location tonight.”

Pepperdine, ranked seventh in this week’s national coaches’ poll, had won 17 of 18 matches against Northridge, which is ranked ninth. CSUN’s only win had come two years ago in five games at home. Pepperdine, which has played only conference matches, is 2-1.

Neil Coffman had a match-high 28 kills for CSUN, while freshmen Coley Kyman and Ken Lynch had 21 and 20, respectively. Kyman also led the Matadors with 10 digs and five blocks.