WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL / NCAA TOURNAMENT : USC Defeats CS Northridge

Cal State Northridge’s first appearance in the NCAA Division I playoffs didn’t last very long.

USC swept the Matadors aside, 16-14, 15-8, 15-10, Saturday night at the Lyon Center in the first round of the NCAA tournament.

The Matadors (27-8) moved from Division II in 1990.

“The whole week we were jittery and hyper in practice,” Northridge outside hitter Missy Clements said. “We knew we were making history.”

The Matadors trailed in the first game, 3-0, but fought back with eight unanswered points. Northridge led, 14-12, and had five chances to serve out the game, but the Trojans answered with a sideout each time.

At 14-14, senior Amy Sherman was inserted into the match and on the ensuing point was called for a net violation, giving USC a 15-14 lead. USC middle blocker Cica Baccelli’s block ended the game.

Sophomore Meika Wagner led USC with 14 kills and seven blocks.

Northridge’s Nancy Nicholls, a senior middle blocker, had 12 kills and a team-high 17 digs in her final collegiate game.

No. 11-ranked USC (21-8) will play No. 8 Brigham Young in a West regional semifinal Dec. 11 at UCLA’s Pauley Pavilion.