NORTHRIDGE — Despite an early two set lead, the No. 2-ranked Long Beach State men’s volleyball team was upset by unranked Cal State Northridge — 11-25, 16-25, 25-21, 25-22, 16-14 — at the Matadome on Friday night.
The 49ers were coming off a 12-day rest after going 4-0 during a four game homestand in January, while the Matadors were looking to end a six-match losing streak.
The third set began to change things for the 49ers (6-4, 5-2 Mountain Pacific Sports Federation).
Despite plenty of runs at the lead, the Matadors (3-9, 2-5 MPSF) proved they weren’t going down without a fight, hitting a vastly improved .409 during the set.
The comeback was imminent.
Earlier in the year, LBSU interim head coach Andy Read had talked about his team’s ability to close the door on their opponents. Unfortunately for him, the 49ers seemed to have forgotten that lesson.
“I thought we knew how to finish opponents off, but obviously we don’t yet,” Read said.
The fourth set featured 19 tie scores and nine lead changes alone. At times it seemed as if the 49ers were going to be able to squeak out a win.
It was not to be.
Sophomore middle blocker Drew Staker, along with freshman middle blocker Greg Faulkner, came up with huge kills late in the match to seal CSUN’s victory. Both ended the match with 10 kills apiece to lead the Matadors, while Faulkner hit a blistering .833 with no errors.
Down 15-14 in the fifth set, the ‘Niners turned to junior opposite Jim Baughman, whose spike was blocked by the hands of junior setter Matt Stork and Baker, directing the ball straight down into the court.
“The season is a series of tests,” Read said. “Tonight we didn’t pass the test.”
There was no visible sign of a 12-day lay off early on in the match.
LBSU came out firing on all cylinders, notching 15 kills and no errors on a staggering .789 hitting percentage.
The second set was a little more shaky for the 49ers, but they were able to force CSUN into 11 attacking errors and a dismal -.034 hitting percentage.
Everything seemed to be going right in the minds of LBSU.
Baughman led the match with 20 kills, but probably would’ve traded them all for another shot at that last hit. He also added nine blocks and five digs.
LBSU now must prepare for the first of two matches next week. The 49ers will travel to No. 8 UC Irvine on Wednesday for a 6 p.m. contest.
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