CSUN Volleyball Quest on Hold

Two weeks ago, Cal State Northridge needed just one win in its last six matches to clinch its first Western Intercollegiate Volleyball Assn. playoff berth. But after losing its fourth consecutive match, to UC Santa Barbara on Wednesday, the Matadors are down to their last two strikes.

Visiting Northridge went quickly in its latest loss, falling in straight games, 15-10, 15-12, 15-12.

“We were extremely flat,” Northridge Coach John Price said. “Call us the Northridge Flatadors.”

Northridge (11-10, 6-8 in WIVA play) is second in the DeGroot Division and needs a win in either of its final regular-season games, both against conference foe BYU, to assure itself of one of six WIVA playoff berths.

Northridge beat UCSB (10-11, 4-10) earlier in the season but has never won at Santa Barbara.

Raphael Tulino led the Matadors with 16 kills and Ken Lynch had 13. Gary Reznick had nine digs, but Santa Barbara hit .326.