Northridge Volleys Too Much for BYU

NORTHRIDGE — Win and it will come. Win often it will come quickly.

And so it goes for Coach John Price and the Cal State Northridge men’s volleyball team in its quest for respect.

With a 16-14, 15-12, 16-14 sweep over fifth-ranked Brigham Young in a Mountain Sports Federation match, Northridge served notice that it is indeed a team to be respected.

Price and his team were slightly peeved that they were omitted from the preseason national rankings.

Now with victories over BYU and third-ranked Long Beach State in the same week, Northridge figures to catapult up the rankings.

“Every year it is the same thing,” Price said. “At the end we’re always there. I don’t understand it. We had four returning starters.”

Senior middle blocker Jon Baer is establishing himself while middle blocker Oliver Heitmann works his way out of a slump. Baer had 33 kills for the Matadors.

Northridge won a tight first game. Neither team led by more than two but the Matadors secured the victory with some clutch kills by Collin Smith, who finished with seven.

Northridge let a 12-7 lead slip away in the third game before recovering its composure.

BYU rallied to tie, 14-14, and exchanged sideouts four times before Smith placed a dink, and the Cougars were called for a lift to give Northridge the sweep.

“We wanted nothing less than a sweep tonight,” Baer said. “I’m jumping as high as I can and I’m swinging as hard as I can and it’s paying off.”

Travis Ferguson had 61 assists for Northridge (3-1, 3-0) and Price was ecstatic with his play.

“Were running a new offense and he’s doing a great job,” Price said. “He’s getting better every match.

“These victories make a statement. They let us know we’re good. If we had lost we’d be in a lot different place.”

Kevin Hambly, a senior middle blocker from Royal High, had 16 kills for BYU (3-2, 2-2).

Matt Olsen, from Simi Valley High, had seven kills and nine digs for the Cougars.

“I looked forward to coming home for these two games,” Hambly said. “I only wish that we could have played better.

“I don’t know what else we can do except work harder. Things just aren’t happening for us like they did earlier in the season.”

Baer raised his kill total to 109 for Northridge.