Idaho State Arrives Late, Finished Early by Matadors

Cal State Northridge wore down an already road-weary Idaho State, 15-8, 15-13, 15-9, for a much-needed Big Sky Conference women’s volleyball victory Thursday night at Northridge.

Both clubs overcame adversity before the match.

The Bengals (6-13, 2-7 in conference play) arrived at Northridge an hour and a half before game time after having been bumped off a morning flight out of Idaho. The start was pushed back an hour to accommodate Idaho State.

Northridge (11-5, 6-3) was playing without outside hitter Alexis Cormier, who underwent a minor surgical procedure earlier in the day. She is expected back next week.

Junior Laura Szymanski had 21 kills and 14 digs for the Matadors.

She came into the match slightly behind Cormier for the conference lead in kills per game, 4.71 to 4.55.

Kills aside, Northridge Coach Lian Lu said Szymanski’s leadership is what really sparked his team.

“She was very vocal, talking all the time,” Lu said.

Junior Jennifer McNees added 17 kills and sophomore Carissa Gough tacked on 12 in Cormier’s absence.

“We played very good ball control and we did some smart subbing,” Lu said. “We destroyed the Idaho rhythm.”

Heather Zall had 55 assists for Northridge.

The Matadors are in third place in the Big Sky Conference and Idaho has fallen to eighth place.

Northridge had lost four of its last six matches before Thursday night.

Joy Deatherage had 12 kills and Jennie Jones added 11 for Idaho State, which has lost eight of nine matches.

Northridge swept the series with Idaho State, beating the Bengals last month, 15-8, 15-11, 7-15,15-11, in Idaho.

The Matadors travel to UC Riverside for a nonconference match Saturday.