Northridge Again Beats Bakersfield

NORTHRIDGE — In a reprise, Cal State Northridge defeated Cal State Bakersfield, 15-4, 15-9, 15-10, in a nonconference women’s volleyball match Saturday at Matador Gymnasium.

Led by middle blocker Heather Anderson, who had 13 kills, 10 digs and eight blocks, the Matadors (11-7) dominated the country’s No. 1-ranked NCAA Division II team.

Bakersfield (25-2) had lost a five-game thriller to Northridge on Sept. 28, the Roadrunners’ only other loss. This time they were overwhelmed by the taller Matadors.

“We practiced for them this time,” Anderson said. “(Coach Lian Kang Lu) had a better idea what to expect after playing them the first time and we spent all week getting ready for them.

“And they didn’t play as well as before. They seemed to be a little timid.”

Anderson and Aimee Stone (11 kills) set the tone for Northridge in the first game by contributing six and five kills. When they cooled off in Game 2, Missy Clements (13 kills) began to heat up.

The Matadors had a .350 hitting percentage, led by Anderson (.458) and Clements (.407).

That figure was Northridge’s second-highest of the season, but Lu was most pleased with his team’s defense, which held Bakersfield to a .112 hitting percentage.