The Northridge women’s volleyball team plays two of its three remaining home matches this weekend as they take on conference foes UC Riverside Friday and UC Irvine Saturday. Both Highlanders and Anteaters defeated the Matadors earlier this season. The Anteaters beat CSUN in four sets on Oct. 3. The following night, in Riverside, the Matadors won sets one and two only to have the Highlanders come back and claim a five-set victory, handing Northridge the ninth defeat of what ended up being a 12-game losing skid. The long, frustrating streak was snapped Oct. 18 against Pacific, but the Matadors have lost two straight since. Riverside and Irvine met Saturday night with UCI firing a season-high 11 service aces, which paved the way for a sweep.?

Matadors

Last Game: Loss (3-0) at Santa Barbara
Assists leader: Orlandini (9.62 per set)
Aces leader: Siara Grayson (25)?

VS. UC Riverside Highlanders

Series Record: Matadors lead 40-17
Last Meeting: CSUN 2 @ UCR 3 (2008)

Tomorrow at 7 p.m.

Highlander to Watch:?
Kelly Fink, senior, outside hitter?

Fink has played in and started every match this season for the Highlanders. She leads the team with 284 kills (3.51 per set) and her 12 aces and 195 digs are both good for second on the Riverside squad. Fink had a match-high 11 kills in the losing effort to Irvine and led UCR with a .231 hitting percentage.

VS. UC Irvine Anteaters

Series Record: Matadors lead 19-17
Last Meeting: CSUN 1 @ UCI 3 (2008)

Saturday at 7 p.m

Anteaters to watch:?
Kari Pestolesi ‘amp; Devon Sutherland

Pestolesi leads the Anteaters with 252 kills and 3.65 kills per set. Her 33 assists are tied with teammate Devon Sutherland for second highest on the team. The outside hitter leads Irvine with 28 aces, and her 208 digs place her second behind Sutherland. The two will definitely be a dynamic duo that Northridge will focus on containing.?

What did she say?

Angela Hupp, Outside Hitter on the final seven matches of the season:?

‘We are sticking together, and quitting isn’t an option.’?