VOLLEYBALL PREVIEW / CAL STATE NORTHRIDGE WOMEN : Savvy Matadors Should Show Polish

Coach Walt Ker’s predicament at Cal State Northridge could be viewed as a hindrance to building a powerful women’s volleyball program at the NCAA Division I level.

But Ker, 38, chooses to regard it as just another detour on the road to establishing Northridge as one of the best in Division I after a decade-long run as a member of the Division II elite.

Because Northridge is entering only its third Division I season, Ker frequently recruits players who are talented but not quite as polished as those who sign with traditional powers such as UCLA and Cal State Long Beach.

“I’ve told the players that most of them are what we call developmental,” Ker said. “They’re either late bloomers or they just haven’t played as much club volleyball coming out of high school as some of the others.”

The lack of polish led to a less-than-shining 1991 season for the Matadors, who were 16-18 and finished in a tie for fifth place in the 20-team National Invitational volleyball championships.

Northridge, led by the steady play of senior twins Kathleen and Marianne Dixon, was 29-9 and finished second in the NIVC during the 1990 season, its first in Division I.

“We made a lot of unforced errors all year,” Ker said of last season. “Passing and attacking were two major problems.”

With 11 of the 12 players from last year’s squad returning, Ker does not anticipate unpolished play being a problem for Northridge, which will play host to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in its opener Tuesday night at 7 at Matador Gymnasium.

“I expect this team to be much better than last year just in terms of experience,” Ker said. “We just have that much more practice and repetitions behind us than we did a year ago.”

The offense will be centered on Nancy Nicholls, a 6-foot senior middle blocker from Cleveland High. Nicholls is one of Ker’s developmental players. She played only one season of club volleyball before entering Northridge, yet last season she led the team in kills (372), hitting percentage (.256), blocks (117), solo blocks (23) and digs (447).

When the going gets tough for the Matadors, she is the player they will go to most often.

“She’s ready to have that kind of responsibility,” Ker said. “She is a very talented all-around athlete.”

Junior Alison Wool returns for her third season as setter, with 5-7 senior Dawn Krenik and 6-1 sophomore Ana Kristich the left-side hitters.

Shelly Swalec, a 5-11 senior, will start at either middle blocker or right-side hitter, depending on whether middle blocker Debbie Beuche (pronounced boo-SHAY) or right-side hitter Heather Anderson, both 6-2 sophomores, gets the starting nod.

In addition, seniors Patty Fitzsimmons and Jill Trehearne, junior Molly McLaughlin and sophomore Missy Clements can step in at any time.

“We’re very deep,” Ker said. “I think we have a realistic goal of making the (32-team) NCAA playoffs this year. Being one of the top eight teams in the West region would be a great accomplishment for this team, but I think we’re capable of doing that.”

Northridge will play in the Arizona State Labor Day tournament Friday and Saturday before returning home to play host to San Diego State on Sept. 8.

“I’m looking forward to playing (San Luis Obispo),’ ” Ker said. “We’ve had some very exciting matches with them in the past.

“I think most coaches would like to have another week of practice to get ready for the season opener, but you can’t really tell exactly where you’re at until you play.”