Northridge Falls in Tournament

MANHATTAN, Kan. — A school record was broken and another one nearly fell.

In addition, two career-best kill marks were established by members of the Cal State Northridge women’s volleyball team. But the only math that mattered didn’t help the Matadors, who dropped a first-round NCAA tournament match to Kansas State, 15-12, 14-16, 15-11, 15-13, Wednesday night at Ahearn Field House.

Nancy Ma had a 35 kills, breaking her own school record, and Getty Dimitrova added 32 kills for the Matadors (22-11).

Kansas State, however, had more balance: Five players delivered 18 or more kills.

Yolanda Young had 26 kills and Abbie Brown added 22 for the 24th-ranked Wildcats (26-8), who will play Washington State in the second round.

The Matadors led in every game, including 10-3 in the third game and 13-8 in the fourth, but could not finish off the Wildcats.

“K-State just did a great job coming back,” Matador Coach Lian Lu said.

With six aces, the Wildcats also did a better job serving. Northridge had two aces.

“[We] showed great character,” Kansas State Coach Jim Moore said. “It wasn’t just the six [starters], it was all 12 players.”

Senior setter Heather Hofmans finished with 75 assists, one shy of the Northridge record.

Northridge won the Big Sky Conference title.