VOLLEYBALL : CSUN to Make Playoff Debut in Division I

After compiling a 39-14 record in postseason play from 1979-89 and winning three NCAA Division II titles during that period, the Cal State Northridge women’s volleyball team will make its first appearance in the Division I playoffs, against USC at 7:30 tonight at USC’s Lyon Center.

Northridge (27-7) is the sixth-seeded team in the West regional, having won 12 consecutive matches and 17 of 18 to conclude the regular season. USC (20-8), seeded third, defeated Northridge, 15-3, 15-8, 10-15, 15-10, on Sept. 16.

The Trojans outhit Northridge, .345 to .196, in that match and the Matadors did not help themselves by committing 15 service errors, a season high.

“Serve and serve receive are going to be very important for us,” Northridge Coach Walt Ker said.

“Those are two pretty basic things, but they are particularly important against USC because their attackers are so potent that we have to keep them somewhat off balance or we’re going to be in trouble.”

USC’s Cica Baccelli, a 6-foot-5 senior outside hitter from Brazil, is Ker’s biggest concern, but junior outside hitter Katie Haller and sophomore middle blocker Meika Wagner also are formidable attackers.

Baccelli has 405 kills and a team-high .321 hitting percentage. Haller leads the Trojans with 406 kills, and Wagner has 314 kills and a .292 hitting percentage.

Nancy Nicholls, a 6-0 senior middle blocker, leads Northridge in kills (421) and is second in digs (360), total blocks (123) and service aces (42).

Senior middle blocker Shelly Swalec leads the team in total blocks (152), and senior outside hitter Dawn Krenik has team-high totals of 430 digs and 48 services aces.

Junior setter Alison Wool (1,331 assists) and sophomore outside hitters Missy Clements (193 kills) and Heather Anderson (165 kills, 103 total blocks) are the other Northridge starters.

USC leads the series, 13-1.