Trojans Upend Northridge in Men’s Volleyball Tourney

USC built on a second-game collapse by Cal State Northridge and defeated the Matadors, 9-15, 15-8, 15-9, 15-9, Friday in the John Paul Mitchell men’s volleyball tournament at UCLA’s Pauley Pavilion.

Northridge (11-4), ranked third in the nation, missed six of its first eight serves in the second game, and the 10th-ranked Trojans (5-5) capitalized.

CSUN Coach John Price praised the play of seniors Axel Hagar and Ken Lynch, who had 24 and 32 kills, respectively, but not much else. “We were lucky to win the first game. We had no heart tonight. We were just going through the motions,” Price said. “With four seniors starting at this stage of the season it’s not right.”

The loss snapped Northridge’s four-game winning streak that included victories over then-No. 2 Stanford and sixth-ranked UC Santa Barbara.

Price, angry at his team’s play, decided to hold practice upon the Matadors’ return to campus Friday. The Matadors will face Hawaii, a 3-15, 5-15, 5-15 loser to UCLA, in the consolation match Sunday at 1:30 p.m.