NORTHRIDGE, Calif. ? The CSUB volleyball team gave Head Coach John Price a homecoming present Tuesday night, coming from behind to defeat the school he coached at for 12 season in a 24-26, 25-20, 21-25, 25-17, 15-8 win at Cal State Northridge.
Price coached the CSUN men's program from 1986 through 1997, leading the Matadors to 194 victories, 12 consecutive top 15 national finishes and a berth in the 1993 NCAA Division I Championship match.
CSUB (9-7 overall) won for the fourth time in five matches and defeated CSUN (5-10) for the first time since the 1989 NCAA Division II Regional championship.
“It was very frustrating coming here and losing last year,” said Price. “After spending 13 years coaching here it was great to come back this year to and win a five-game match.”
Senior outside hitter Sarah Norman (Stockdale HS) led four Roadrunners in double figures with 21 kills, including eight in the critical fourth set when the 'Runners took control early and never let the Matadors sniff the lead. CSUB also got 14 kills each from Sarah Warner (Tehachapi HS) and Rosemary Stribling (West HS).
Freshman middle blocker Alysia Baker (Vista/Tri-City Christian HS) chipped in 11 kills and four blocks. Junior setter Barbie Thistle (Bakersfield HS) added a season-high 60 assists.
The first set went back and forth with 10 ties. There was just one lead change, but it proved critical as the Matadors overcame a 22-20 deficit to serve for the set three times before finally pulling out the 26-24 win.
Norman and Warner led a big CSUB attacking effort in the second set, collecting five kills apiece. Kayla Williamson served four consecutive points as part of a 5-0 run that gave the 'Runners control 20-15.
CSUN regrouped and took advantage of a few CSUB defensive lapses to turn the tables in the third set before Norman took over in the fourth. Norman then recorded a kill and served two points as the 'Runners took an early lead in the decisive fifth set and kept the Matadors at arm's length for the win.
CSUB concludes its eight-match road trip with three in Utah this week. The Rocky Mountain trip begins at Weber State Thursday and concludes with matches at Utah Valley University Friday and Saturday.
