Three Times Is Alarm for Northridge

SANTA BARBARA — It’s going to be Hell Week all over again for the Cal State Northridge men’s volleyball team.

After three losses Saturday in the UC Santa Barbara tournament brought the Matadors’ final tournament record to 2-6, Coach John Price told his players to get ready to audition this week in practice.

“We’re going to find a starting lineup, which we no longer have,” Price said after La Verne beat the Matadors, 15-12, 15-7, in the 11th-place match. “The setting spot is open, the opposite [hitter] spot is open, both middle spots are open.”

Earlier, the seventh-ranked Matadors lost to Brigham Young, 15-8, 14-16, 15-11, and to UC Irvine, 15-7, 15-3.

BYU’s Ryan Millar, a former Highland High player, delivered three of his nine kills in the rally-scored third game against the Matadors.

Northridge juggled its lineup in its final two matches, while outside hitters Collin Smith (right elbow) and Chad Strickland (right knee, left foot) rested injuries.

Junior Mosones, who replaced Dan Fisher in the first game against BYU and created a decent offensive flow, remained at setter. Fisher moved to opposite hitter.

The results were similar, however, and Northridge was already looking ahead to practice.

“We’re going to have to learn how to grovel,” Strickland said.