Ending their short losing streak, the Matadors beat UCSD 3-1 (23-25, 25-21, 25-22, 25-15) Friday. CSUN dominated the court with four players reaching double double figures. The victory is vital for the Matadors as the season winds down and the MPSF tournament is within sight.
The Matadors lost the first set, giving the Tritans an early match advantage. With nine tie scores in the set, the two volleyed the score back and forth, but it was UCSD who came out on top. UCSD slightly outhit the Matadors .310 to .300 UCSD, but the Matadors had one more kill, 14 to the Tritans’ 13.
The second set came with just as tough a battle. At 9-9, the two were dead even when the Matadors went on a 5-1 run. Now 14-10, there would be no questioning victory for the Matadors. With a lead never less than two points, CSUN took the set. CSUN hit .385 to UCSD’s .174.
Set three brought the most action and intensity of all four. Their were 10 lead changes and 16 tie scores. Either team was unable to maintain more than a one point lead, until a Tritan kill to at 13-14 gave UCSD a two point lead. But the Matadors fought back and had the score tied again by 16. Then at 21-21, two Matador kills, along with Tritan hitting errors, gave CSUN the lead they needed to take the match. While CSUN outhit UCSD .242 to .184, the Tritans had 14 kills to the Matadors’ 12.
The final set was nothing but CSUN. After starting the set with large lead, there was no questioning who would take the set. CSUN hit .273 to UCSD’s -.211 and had 10 kills to the Tritans’ 3.
Leading the Matadors was senior middle back Greg Faulkner with 11 kills (.733 and 15 errorless attacks) and eight blocks. Sophomore outside hitter Bradley Sakaida also added 11 kills, 11 digs, five blocks and two aces. Sophomore opposite hitter Jakub Ciesla contribute 11 kills (.308), while senior outside hitter Kyle Stevenson added 10 kills (.320), six digs and two blocks. Senior setter Travis Magorien had 42 assists and one ace.
The Matadors return gor their final home games of the regular season on Friday April 10 and Saturday April 11 at 7 p.m. in the Matadome for a two-game series against BYU.
