The Matadors have dropped two home games and have now lost for the fifth time in six matches at the Matadome, bringing their record to (4-12, 3-8 MPSF).
 
The Cal State Northridge men’s volleyball team has struggled considerably at home this season, being swept five times, resulting in just one home win this season. With the loss to Pepperdine, it moves a game in front of CSUN with a 4-7 MPSF record.

CSUN continued to contend, this time against the Waves, which the Matadors beat on the road earlier this season, 3-2, with an awful hitting percentage of .153 with 39 kills and 24 errors in 98 swings. 

Pepperdine quickly jumped out on the Matadors early in the opening set as they took a seven-point lead. CSUN could not contain Kasey Crider’s serving and could not keep their hitting errors at a minimum. 

In the second game, the Matadors gained their composure by using Crider’s setting error and a ace by senior Tanner Nua to take an early 6-4 lead. 

Nua knocked down a match-high 13 kills and nearly matched his season-high with 40 swings against Pepperdine. But the Waves would turn the tide after being tied for much of the game when CSUN’s Drew Staker’s service error erased any chance for the Matadors to catch up to Pepperdine as they ended the second game on a 3-0 run, winning 25-22.

In the final game, the Matadors kept the game close as neither team led by more than three points at a time. Nua’s kill pulled Northridge within one at 22-21, but once again hitting errors would be the Matadors trend in losing in straight sets.

CSUN continues at home this week against UCLA at 7 p.m.