VOLLEYBALL FALLS IN THE FIRST ROUND OF THE SACRAMENTO STATE INVITE TO CAL STATE NORTHRIDGE

9/5/2008

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Lynda Morales had nine kills, seven blocks and a .467 hitting percentage to lead Cal State Northridge to a three-set sweep (25-20, 25-12, 26-24) of the Hornets in the first round of the Sacramento State Invitational Friday evening at Colberg Court.

The Hornets, who were playing their home opener, are hosting a two-day, six-match tournament that will see the team play twice more tomorrow against San Jose State (12:30 p.m.) and Saint Mary’s (7:30 p.m.). In today’s other match, Saint Mary’s defeated San Jose State, 3-1 (25-22, 25-22, 22-25, 25-17) despite Spartan setter Emily Burke posting a triple-double with 10 kills, 40 assists and 15 digs.

With the victory, Cal State Northridge improved to 3-1 this season while the Hornets dropped to 2-3.

In this evening’s match, the Hornets, who lost four starters and arguably the best senior class in school history from last year’s squad, struggled offensively hitting just .066 (29-23-91). In fact, no Sacramento State player had more than six kills, and sophomore Maddison Thivierge (6 kills, .364 hitting percentage) was the only starter to hit better than .160. The Hornets hit for a negative percentage in the first two sets, before hitting .306 in the third set.

Conversely, Cal State Northridge hit .333 (42-11-93) while also posting 11.0 team blocks. Morales, Brittany Williams (10 kills, .346), Jenn Probert (8 kills, .412), Angela Hupp (8 kills, .312) and Val Kepler (6 kills, .500) combined for 41 of the team’s 42 kills.

For Sacramento State, Thivierge, senior Brittany Ferguson and junior Desiree Hoyum each had six kills while freshman Eryn Kirby added five. Senior Katie Van Der Wende led the team with a match-high 12 digs.

After the Matadors won the first two sets with relative ease, Sacramento State played better in the third set. In fact, no team led by more than three points the entire way. After a Cal State Northridge service error tied the score at 24-24, Hupp and Probert responded with back-to-back kills to put the match away.

SACRAMENTO STATE INVITATIONAL

RECORDS HEADING INTO SATURDAY
Cal State Northridge  1-0
Saint Mary’s  1-0
San Jose State  0-1
Sacramento State  0-1

FRIDAY’S RESULTS
Saint Mary’s 3, San Jose State 1 (25-22, 25-22, 22-25, 25-17)
Cal State Northridge 3, Sacramento State 0 (25-20, 25-12, 26-24)

SATURDAY’S SCHEDULE
Cal State Northridge vs. Saint Mary’s - 10 a.m.
Sacramento State vs. San Jose State - 12:30 p.m.
San Jose State vs. Cal State Northridge - 5 p.m.
Saint Mary’s vs. Sacramento State - 7:30 p.m.

ATTENDANCE
Friday – 535