It’s Official: Heitmann to Join CSUN Volleyball Team

The call Cal State Northridge men’s volleyball coaches wanted to make and Oliver Heitmann wanted to take finally occurred Friday night--or Saturday morning in Hamburg, Germany.

Heitmann, a starter on the German National Team, was told to catch the next available flight to Los Angeles. He was officially accepted for admission by Northridge officials Friday.

Coach John Price said Heitmann could make his debut in the Matadors’ next match, a Mountain Pacific Sports Federation opener at USC on Feb. 4. “He’s obviously a great player,” Price said of the 6-foot-7 middle blocker.

At least that’s what the coach has heard.

“I’ve never seen him play,” Price admitted. “Not even on tape. I’ve seen his picture in Volleyball Monthly (magazine), though. Does that count?”

Northridge is banking heavily on blind faith, but Price does not considering the more than $7,000 it will take to cover the player’s tuition a risky investment.

Among those giving glowing scouting reports were U.S. national team coaches Rod Wilde and Jim Coleman, Price said.

Heitmann, 24, was a standout player on Germany’s entry in the World League, an international circuit of Olympic teams. For Northridge, he is expected to start in the middle alongside Craig Hewitt, a returning starter.

Price said Northridge will secure the money for Heitmann’s scholarship by fund-raising.

“The Northridge Grass Volleyball Series just became the Oliver Heitmann Volleyball Series,” he quipped.

Northridge has been interested in Heitmann since the German star was brought to the attention of coaches by Axel Hager, another Hamburg product who started for the Matadors the past two seasons.

“At first I was pessimistic about him being eligible,” Price said. “But we’ve jumped through every hoop.”

Due to damage their offices sustained in the Jan. 17 earthquake, Northridge administrators still have not completed the paperwork necessary for Heitmann to get a student visa from officials in Germany.

Price said Heitmann will come to the U.S. on a three-month tourist’s visa, then apply for a student visa after he settles in at Northridge.

Heitmann will replace 6-7 Coley Kyman, a three-time Northridge All-American who completed his eligibility last season.

“When we had Coley I was a good coach,” said Price, who last season was the NCAA’s volleyball coach of the year after guiding CSUN to the final. “Hopefully (Heitmann) can make me a good coach again.”