CS Northridge Victimized by Sloppy Serving in Loss : Women’s volleyball: Matadors fail to put the ball in play 14 times as USC wins in four games.

Poor serving was the primary reason Cal State Northridge lost to USC, 15-3, 15-8, 10-15, 15-10, in a women’s nonconference volleyball match Wednesday before 466 at USC’s North Gymnasium.

Northridge (7-4) failed to put the ball in play on its serves 14 times during the match, including seven in the fourth game.

“That really hurt us,” Northridge Coach Walt Ker said. “Especially the ones early on. If we only miss three or four serves in that game, there is a good chance we’re out there playing (game five).”

Northridge jumped to an early 4-1 lead in the fourth game, but USC took a 9-8 lead when Sue Peters stuffed a kill attempt by Nancy Nicholls and Heather Anderson hit long on a kill attempt.

After a Northridge timeout, the Trojans continued their run. The Matadors mishandled two serves and Meika Wagner (match-high 14 kills, .407 hitting percentage) added a kill to give USC a 12-8 lead.

Northridge countered with a service ace by Ana Kristich, but after a pair of sideouts, Alison Wool hit a serve long.

USC (4-1), ranked seventh nationally, scored three of the next four points to post its seventh consecutive victory over the Matadors.

“Service was our biggest problem in game four,” Ker said. “You have to put the ball in play to give your team a chance to score, and we didn’t do that well.”

Nicholls had a team-high 13 kills and 11 digs, and sophomore Kristich added 12 kills (.310 hitting percentage). Wool had 35 assists but struggled in the first two games when Northridge was clearly outplayed.

After getting blown out in the first game and overpowered in the second, Northridge came from behind to win the third game.

The Matadors reeled off four consecutive points with Nicholls serving to take a 12-9 lead. USC scored a point, but Northridge followed with a stuff block against Katie Haller, and Haller followed by driving a kill attempt into the net to give the Matadors a 14-10 lead.

After an exchange of sideouts, Nicholls hit a two-hand push shot to win the game.