Northridge Is No Match for Stanford

Cal State Northridge, playing without junior setter Heather Hofmans, was blitzed Friday by top-ranked and defending NCAA champion Stanford, 15-1, 15-2, 15-7, in an opening-round match of the National Assn. of Collegiate Women Athletic Administrators Volleyball Classic at Nebraska.

Hofmans, a transfer from Long Beach State, was sidelined because of a biceps injury.

Trisha Moore, a sophomore transfer from San Jose State, had 21 assists as Hofmans’ replacement, but Northridge was overpowered by a Cardinal squad that recorded a .410 hitting percentage compared to its .011.

The season-opening loss snapped an 11-match winning streak for Northridge, which capped last season by winning the National Invitational Volleyball Championship.

Carrie Kapfenberg, a freshman outside hitter, led the Matadors with 10 kills.

The Cardinal will play No. 2 Nebraska, a 15-4, 15-3, 15-6, winner over Penn State, in tonight’s championship match. Northridge will play the No. 6 Nittany Lions for third place.