Aug. 26, 2008
Week One Release in PDF Format 
NORTHRIDGE, Calif. -
NORTHRIDGE OPENS 2008 SEASON WITH THREE MATCHES AT BRONCO INVITATIONAL IN BOISE, IDAHO Cal State Northridge opens it's 34th season of women's volleyball this weekend as the Matadors take part in the Bronco Invitational in Boise, Idaho. Northridge opens the tournament on Friday, Aug. 29 against Washington State before taking on host Boise State and Seattle University on Saturday, Aug. 30. The tournament is the first of four for the Matadors in 2008. After playing its first 14 matches on the road to open the 2007 season, Northridge will play its first nine on the road (all tournaments) to open 2008. The Matadors opens the home schedule Sept. 16 against UCLA, ranked sixth in the CBS College Sports Network/AVCA preseason poll. Northridge is coming off a 13-18 season in 2007 where they finished and tied for fifth in the Big West at 7-9.
MATADORS IN SEASON OPENERS Since 1978, Cal State Northridge is 19-11 (.633) all-time in season openers. The Matadors are 4-2 (.667) in six previous season openers under Jeff Stork and this weekend marks the third time in Stork's seven seasons that Northridge has opened a campaign on the road. The Matadors defeated Fresno State in five sets in their 2007 season opener in Seattle, Wash., and have now won their last two season openers on the road.
NORTHRIDGE TABBED SEVENTH IN THE BIG WEST The Matadors earned 27 points and were picked to finish seventh by the conference's head coaches in the 2008 Big West Women's Volleyball Preseason Poll. Northridge, which returns six starters and 10 letterwinners, garnered 27 points from the conference's head coaches and was predicted to finish seventh among nine conference teams. Two-time defending Big West champion Cal Poly was a unanimous pick to win its third straight regular season crown as the Mustangs earned all nine first place votes and 81 points total.
SCOUTING THE BRONCO INVITATIONAL FIELD
WASHINGTON STATE: The Cougars return three starters and eight letterwinners from last season's 10-22 squad ... Senior OH Brittany Johnson returns as Washington State's leading attacker at 2.84 kpg. Johnson also averaged 1.81 digs per game ... Junior Kelly Hyder returns as the starting libero after averaging 4.90 digs per game as a sophomore ... the Cougars finished 1-17 and in 10th place in the Pac-10 in 2007 ... Head coach Andrew Palileo (Crown College, 1991) is in his first season with the Cougars. Palileo sports a 115-120 career record in 11 years as a head coach.
BOISE STATE: The tournament host Broncos return five starters and 10 letterwinners from last season's 6-23 squad ... Senior OH Jeanette Jenkins averaged a team-high 2.77 kills per game in 2007 while sophomore MB Sadie Maughan contributed 2.07 kpg ... Senior setter Mandy Klein averaged 10.04 assists as a junior ... Head coach Robin Davis (NAU, 1979) is in her third season at Boise State and owns a 19-40 record ... Overall, Davis is 240-120 in 12 years as a head coach ... former Matador men's volleyball player Doug English (2003-06) is an assistant coach for the Broncos.
SEATTLE UNIVERSITY: The Redhawks, in the process of reclassifying to Division I, will compete as an Independent in 2008 after posting a 10-16 record in 2007 ... Seattle returns four starters and nine letterwinners from last year's squad ... Senior OH/RS Libby Graff returns as the Redhawks' leading hitter at 2.79 kpg while junior OH Kelly Benson averaged 2.36 kills in 44 games in 2007 ... Sophomore setter Jamie Mellies averaged 10.62 apg as a freshman ... Head coach Shannon Ellis (BYU, 2002) is in her fifth season at Seattle U. and sports a 59-49 career and school record.
2008 SEASON OUTLOOK
Senior night came and went for the Matadors again in 2007. With no seniors on the roster there were no balloons, hugs and tears as Northridge wrapped up the home season. This was also the case in 2005 as roster built mainly of underclassmen struggled to a 4-23 record. The situation wasn't quite a dire in 2007 as the Matadors finished the season 13-18 (7-9 in the Big West) but Northridge still had several underclassmen playing key roles. This season, however, the class that struggled as freshmen in 2005 are entering their senior seasons and expectations are high. The core group (Kelley Hanson, Amy Hultner, Val Kepler, Jenn Probert, Kayla Wright) has played together for three years and the Matadors look to regain their foothold in the Big West after tying for fifth in 2007. In addition to its five seniors, sophomore Brittany Williams returns as Northridge's leader in kills (276) with junior Angela Hupp (241) also topping 200 kills. Kepler and sophomore Lynda Morales return as a formidable middle-blocking duo, while Hultner posted a Northridge single-season record 521 digs from the libero spot. Kayla Wright, who enters her senior season third in career assists at Northridge, and Hupp will most likely share time at setter as they have for the past two seasons. The 2008 incoming class will be highlighted by junior transfer Tela Burnett (Pleasant Grove, Utah/Salt Lake CC) and a trio of freshmen Sam Orlandini (La Cañada, Calif./Flintridge Sacred Heart Prep), Puneet Pataria (San Jose, Calif./Mt. Pleasant HS) and Monica McFarland (Riverside, Calif./Martin Luther King HS).
OUTSIDE HITTERS
The Matadors return two of their three top hitters from last season in sophomore Brittany Williams (Chino Hills, Calif.) and junior Angela Hupp (Acton, Calif.). Northridge will also regain the services of sophomore Siara Grayson (Sandy, Utah) who missed most of last season with an injury and benefit from the addition of Pataria, who also can play in the middle.
"We look at this year vs. last year and we've lost two hitters from the 2007 squad," said Stork. "Originally we hadn't planned on recruiting an outside but Puneet has taken that spot and performed very well."
Williams, who led the Matadors in kills (276) and kills per game (2.76) as a freshman, was named to the Big West All-Freshman Team last year.
"We're expecting Brittany to carry a similar offensive load to last season," said Stork. "She was one of our top outside hitters last season and we're expecting big things from her again this year."
Grayson, who 225 kills as a true freshman in 2006, played in just seven matches last season before sitting out the remainder of the season. The Matadors will hope she stays healthy in 2008.
"Siara is a steady passer and an explosive player," said Stork. "She's extremely quick and gets to the ball fast, we just need to keep her healthy."
Pataria was a first team All-Blossom Valley Athletic League selection all four years at Mount Pleasant High School in San Jose, Calif. She was mainly a middle blocker in high school but could emerge as an outside hitter for the Matadors.
"I'm happy with how Puneet is doing," said Stork. "She's been a pleasant surprise. We saw a little bit of her as a middle and then a little bit more as an outside. She's been passing extremely well."
RIGHT SIDE HITTERS
The Matadors will have experience on the right side assuming senior Jenn Probert (Ventura, Calif.) can recover from a pair of significant injuries in 2007. Probert averaged 1.02 blocks per game in just 16 matches last season and would provide Northridge with a strong offensive and defensive presence on the right side.
"Jenn is coming off an ACL tear last year but we're very excited that her recovery is coming along much quicker than we anticipated," said Stork. "She's doing a terrific job and is one of the dominant blockers that we have."
Sophomore Cara Crowder (Elk Grove, Calif.) could also figure in at the right side hitter spot after seeing limited action as a freshman in 2007.
"Cara has been having a good preseason so far," said Stork. "We're very happy with her development."
MIDDLE BLOCKERS
In the middle, the Matadors should remain one of the top blocking teams in the Big West. Northridge, which finished second in the conference in team blocking in 2007, returns both starters in senior Val Kepler (Simi Valley, Calif.) and sophomore Lynda Morales (Bakersfield, Calif.). Fellow sophomore Chelsea Johnson (Wrightwood, Calif.) also returns and the Matadors will also benefit from the addition of Burnett, a transfer from Salt Lake Community College.
"The three middles that we have from last spring did some real good things," said Stork. "Val hit the highest percentage that she's ever hit throughout the spring, Chelsea developed a lot more power than she had in the fall and Lynda steadied out in terms of being a dominant blocker but her attacking has steadied some. Adding Tela to that mix only makes the position stronger."
Morales and Kepler both finished in the top five in the Big West in individual blocking and look to repeat that effort in 2008. Kepler, a three-year starter, finished the season third on the Matadors with 269 kills while leading the Northridge hitters with a .287 hitting percentage.
"Val is about leadership and being a team player," said Stork."She's becoming a more consistent attacker for this team and is an instinctual blocker."
Morales had a solid first year in 2007 after redshirting in 2006. She finished second in the Big West in blocking with 157 total blocks while adding 191 kills and a .200 hitting clip.
"Lynda is extremely eager to get better," said Stork. "Numbers-wise, she's our best blocker. We need to continue to develop her attacking, she's got a powerful arm but we need to work on her consistency."
Johnson got her first taste of collegiate volleyball as a true freshman last season appearing in 11 matches.
"Fundamentally, Chelsea is a very good volleyball player," said Stork. "She's developing as a middle blocker as she gains more experience."
Burnett transfers in from a similar system at Salt Lake Community College where she was an honorable mention all-conference selection in 2007.
"The system is something Tela's used to and coming in as a junior gets her up to speed that much quicker," said Stork. "She's a powerful hitter and a smart blocker."
"If you looked at the numbers through the conference last year we were number two in blocking and that was a real big plus," said Stork. "I think we're an outstanding serve-block defensive team and we need to figure out how to create more offense and have that offense more consistent."
SETTERS
For the third straight season, Kayla Wright (Murrieta, Calif.) and Hupp will be responsible for running the offense. Hupp, also one of the Matadors' top outside hitters, had 566 assists as a sophomore in 2007 while Wright comes into her senior season ranked third in career assists at Northridge after posting a team-high 757 last season.
"Because Angela is one of our more dominant and more consistent hitters we need that aspect from her," said Stork. "She needs to attack the ball and we have her listed as a setter because she does a pretty good job at that as well."
Wright has 2,240 career assists heading into her senior season after finishing ninth in the Big West in assists per game. She also proved to be effective at the service line last year after serving a team-best 39 aces.
"Kayla has been here for three years and is always developing as a setter," said Stork. "Her timing is good and the current players are dialed into her."
Orlandini, a standout setter from Flintridge Sacred Heart Prep, broke the California state high school record in career assists and is a two-time first team All-CIF honoree.
"Sam's knowledge of the position is ahead of its time," said Stork. "She'll do some things that are a bit unorthodox but the results are there at the end of it. She's done a great job so far and we think she's got a bright future."
LIBERO/DEFENSIVE SPECIALISTS
The libero/defensive specialist position will again be a strong suit for the Matadors with three solid players vying for the starting spot.
"It will be competitive again," said Stork.
Senior Kelley Hanson (Moorpark, Calif.) has 744 career digs in 300 career games heading into her senior season. Hanson earned honorable mention All-Big West honors as a libero in 2006. Fellow senior Amy Hultner (Garden Grove, Calif.) had an impressive 2007 season that saw her record a career-high 521 digs which matched the Northridge single season record. Also vying for playing time will be McFarland, a second team All-CIF defensive specialist/outside hitter from Martin Luther King High School in Riverside, Calif.
"Kelley has been passing extremely well so far," said Stork. "Amy's touch on the ball is outstanding and Monica is extremely quick and she plays the ball very well."
2008 SCHEDULE
Four early season tournaments and a home match with nationally-ranked UCLA highlight the non-conference schedule prior to the always-challenging Big West slate for Cal State Northridge in 2008. After playing one of the toughest schedules in the country in 2007 (seven ranked opponents), Cal State Northridge women's volleyball opens the 2008 schedule at the Bronco Invitational in Boise, Idaho (Aug. 29-30). The Matadors will open the season against Washington State before battling host Boise State and Seattle University in the season-opening tournament. September opens in the state capitol as Northridge takes on former Big Sky Conference rival Sacramento State, St. Mary's and San Jose State in the Sacramento State Invitational (Sept. 5-6). The tournament slate continues in Arizona as the Matadors take on Cincinnati, Montana and Arizona State in the ASU Classic (Sept. 12-13). After entertaining 2007 NCAA Regional finalists UCLA on Sept. 16, the Matadors wrap up tournament play in Malibu at the Pepperdine ASICS Classic (Sept. 19-20). Northridge will play Texas State on Friday, Sept. 19 and Pepperdine on Saturday, Sept. 20.
"We have another tough schedule in 2008, which includes non-conference opponents from the Pac-10, West Coast, Big Sky and WAC," said Stork. "Although the schedule is just a bit lighter than last year, it's still going to be a challenging year. I schedule the tough non conference to prepare us for our conference, which is one of the toughest in the nation, and I hope players will work hard over the summer to prepare for another difficult year."
The Big West season opens with three home matches at the end of September. The Matadors host UC Santa Barbara on Sept. 26 and two-time defending champion Cal Poly on Sept. 27. The month closes with a non-conference match at home against Cal State Bakersfield on Sept. 30.
"UCLA and Cal State Bakersfield are our only two non-conference home matches this year," said Stork. "I would like more non-conference home matches, but unfortunately we lost a title sponsor which has eliminated three home matches. We're trying to find another title sponsor so that we can host a weekend, which gives us more home matches."
The month of October opens with road matches at UC Irvine (Oct. 3), UC Riverside (Oct. 4) and Long Beach State (Oct. 7) before Northridge returns home to challenge Cal State Fullerton (Oct. 11), UC Davis (Oct. 17) and Pacific (Oct. 18). The second half of the conference season opens at Cal Poly on Oct. 24 followed by a trip to the Thunderdome to take on UC Santa Barbara on Oct. 25. Home matches against UC Riverside (Oct. 31) and UC Irvine (Nov. 1) follow before the road season concludes with matches at Bakersfield (Nov. 6), Cal State Fullerton (Nov. 8), Pacific (Nov. 14) and UC Davis (Nov. 15).
The regular season concludes with senior night festivities against Long Beach State on Nov. 22. The Matadors will then set their sights on a return to the postseason for the first time since 2004.
"We will be working very hard to improve every day so that the NCAA Championship selection committee can take a look at our win-loss record and say that we are deserving entry into the NCAA tournament," said Stork. "Our strength of schedule is certainly there but we have to finish high within our conference as well, and it's a goal of mine to earn a top three finish."
"We have a very difficult conference and it is getting tougher each year," added Stork. "Many of the Big West schools are returning their best players, but with us returning a majority of last year's team and the inclusion of four quality players, I think we will be better than last year as well."
- GO MATADORS -
