CAL STATE NORTHRIDGE WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL PREVIEW : Price Takes Manly Approach to Coaching

Getting straight to the point is somewhat of a John Price trademark, so let’s not mince any words:

Cal State Northridge’s men’s volleyball coach and the school’s new women’s coach is not particularly fond of women’s volleyball.

At least not the way he has seen it played.

The sport, the way Price views it, is too . . . too . . . nice.

“Some of the matches I’ve seen I could barely watch,” Price confided before Northridge started summer drills earlier this month. “Back and forth, back and forth. All these long rallies. Nobody hits the ball.”

For better or worse, Price promised, Northridge would come out swinging.

Hard.

“I want to end rallies with kills and blocks,” he said. “People keep telling me (that) you don’t play the women’s game that way. We’ll see.”

Those same people--mostly other coaches--have told Price that practically every tactic he has used in eight years guiding the Northridge men’s team will be wasted on the women’s program.

Arizona Coach Dave Rubio, a close friend, responded to a brief outline of Price’s plans by saying, “John, you have to change your perspective.”

Price’s reply: “Dave, you need to change yours. “

Whether Northridge players become victims or benefactors will not be apparent until sometime after tonight’s nonconference match at Matador Gymnasium against the University of San Diego.

If nothing else, Northridge’s season opener brings what has been a turbulent off-season to a close.

In January, only a month after the Matadors earned a Division I playoff invitation, Coach Walt Ker resigned, citing “family considerations.”

A short time later, it was learned that Ker’s departure came after two Northridge players filed a written complaint accusing him of sexual harassment. Other former players also alleged that in the early 1980s Ker had consensual sexual relations with team members.

Price, who played for Ker and later coached with him on the men’s team, was made chairman of the search committee assigned to hire a replacement.

From more than 40 applicants, the committee settled on four finalists--all of whom declined the position. Rather than delve deeper into the depth chart, school officials turned to Price, whose men’s team finished last season second in the nation behind UCLA.

Price, 35, agreed to take the job on an interim basis for one season, much to the relief of a contingent of returning players.

“We didn’t know him as a coach, but we knew him as a person and that made it easier for us,” said Molly McLaughlin, a senior outside hitter.

Price has never coached a women’s team, a fact which he addressed last spring in his first meeting with the Matadors.

Among his first official acts as coach was to explain his lack of experience in dealing with pre-menstrual syndrome. He also posed the question, “Why do you guys cry?”

“I think that’s the funniest thing I’ve heard him say,” said Missy Clements, a junior outside hitter. “Just the way he came right out and said it.”

Added McLaughlin: “I think he’d heard some horror stories about coaching females.”

Indeed, Price confirmed, he had. But that did not deter him from implementing a new get-tough philosophy with the team.

Price patterned the women’s practices after the men’s--with an accent on competition.

Even in drills, there is now a winner and a loser. And the loser does conditioning exercises--either sprints, pushups or sit-ups.

Price said he not only can see a difference in practice, he also can hear it.

“They’ve really been going at each other,” he said this week. “They argue. They accuse each other of cheating. Most coaches would probably hate that. I love it. That means they care. They even care about winning or losing a drill.”

And, contrary to the predictions of doomsayers, not a tear has been shed during a Northridge practice, leading Price to believe what he suspected all along--that women athletes are not given enough credit.

“I find out what they’re capable of doing, then I expect them to do it--just like I do with the guys,” Price said. “If they don’t perform to their capabilities, then there is repercussion.

“My impression of women’s sports in general is that it seems like coaches are afraid to expect things. We’re talking about intelligent, motivated and talented women who compete at a high level. Why should they be treated different than any other elite athlete?”

Northridge players say Price’s emphasis on competition has resulted in a more-aggressive, harder-working team.

“His expectation level is higher than what we’re used to,” said Ana Kristich, a junior middle blocker. “We either do it and do it right, or we suffer the consequences.”

Price has steered clear of making predictions about his first--and perhaps only--women’s team, but privately he has confided that the Matadors might even be better than last season when they won their last 12 regular-season matches and posted a 27-8 record.

Nancy Nichols, an All-Pacific region middle blocker last year, is the one impact player Northridge must replace. Kristich, who split time as a blocker and hitter last season, will stay in the middle alongside either junior Debbie Bueche-Smith or Tonia Farley, a redshirt freshman.

Heather Anderson, a junior, returns to start at opposite hitter. Starting as left-side hitters will be Clements and Aimee Stone, a junior transfer from Colorado State.

McLaughlin, a top reserve last season, and Amy Sherman, a transfer from Wright State, also will see action at the hitter positions, particularly as back-row defensive specialists.

Gretchen Gulbranson and Erin Balderama, a pair of freshmen, are battling for the job of setter vacated when Alison Wool transferred to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.

Balderama redshirted last season. Gulbranson, from Thousand Oaks High, is the only freshman Price was able to recruit after taking over as coach in March, long after most top prospects already were committed.

“We lost three starters, but nobody who can’t be replaced,” Anderson said. “We’re a lot bigger and stronger than we were last year. And we have a lot of good passers and blockers.”

However, the Matadors, in their fourth season as a Division I independent, also have a tougher schedule than last year.

Tonight’s 7 p.m. match is followed by 11 in a row on the road, including tournaments at Arizona State, San Diego State and Notre Dame.

Price said a fast start might be crucial.

“So far, everyone is working hard and doing everything I’ve asked,” he said. “I’m sure if we’re successful it will stay that way and everyone will go with the flow. But if we’re not, sticking with the program might not be so easy.”

Whatever the result, Price seems prepared to take any praise or criticism in stride.

“Maybe I’m clueless,” he said. “We’ll find out.”