CSUN Pulls Rank in Volleyball

With tempered enthusiasm, Cal State Northridge found itself ranked No. 14 in the American Volleyball Coaches Assn. poll this week.

The Matadors (2-1) beat USC in a five-game match last week and subsequently took the spot of the Trojans, who dropped out of the poll.

“We’re excited,” Coach Jeff Campbell said. “Any time we can move forward and go up in the polls, we’re in good shape. But we’ve got a tough schedule ahead of us.”

With consecutive matches at No. 2-ranked Brigham Young on Friday and Saturday, the Matadors could exit the poll just as quickly as they entered it.

Campbell has not addressed the concept of losing to the Cougars.

“We’re not really prepared for losing,” Campbell said. “When and if it happens, we’ll deal with it then.”

UCLA (5-0) is ranked No. 1, Pepperdine (3-0) is No. 3.

SOCCER

Waving goodbye: The Pepperdine women’s soccer team may soon be without two of its best players from last season, Coach Ken Dale said.

Jennifer Peterson, who led the team in scoring the past two seasons, left the school and enrolled at Arizona State, and promising freshman forward Tracey Milburn is investigating a transfer to UCLA, Dale said.

Peterson teamed at forward with Milburn, a former Moorpark High standout who had five goals and five assists.

“[Peterson] asked for her release and we sent her on her way,” Dale said.

“She will have some work to do this term and possibly in summer school to be eligible [at Arizona State].”

Brent Milburn, Tracey’s father, said his daughter is not completely happy with the soccer program but has not decided whether she will leave Pepperdine.

“I think she may [transfer to UCLA],” Dale said. “We’ve had discussions about it.”