Box Score

HONOLULU - A determined Cal State Northridge squad pulled rank on top-ranked Hawai`i, defeating the Warriors at home, 24-30, 30-26, 30-24, 30-21, despite a match-high 20 kills from All-American outside hitter Costas Theocharidis.

The Warriors took game one by ripping-off a late five-point run to pull away from the Matadors, who went point for point with Hawai`i up until the score was deadlocked at 22 apiece. A Cal State Northridge attack error, a Theocharidis kill, another Matador error, a kill by Ching and another hard fought point pushed the Warrior advantage to 27-22 as the game approached the home stretch.

Hawai`i controlled the action at the net in the first game, out-blocking CSUN 4.5-to-none, while also out-hitting the visitors, .500 to .290. Senior captain Eyal Zimet sparked the Warriors, recording a team-best five kills with one error in seven swings for a .571 attack percentage. Delano Thomas and Joshua Stanhiser were perfect in the middle, combining to post six kills on a perfect 1.000 attack percentage.

The tables were turned in game two, as the Matadors posted a late run of their own to even the match at a game. With the score again even at 22-22, CSUN found its rhythm at the net, posting 5.5 blocks-many over the final few points-after not recording a single block in game one. Theocharidis (six kills) and Ching (five kills) got together to provide much of the Warriors' offense in game two, tallying 11 kills between them.

CSUN took game three by maintaining their stubborn defense at the net, out blocking the Warriors, 6.5 to 2. Theocharidis again carried the brunt of the offensive load, posting five kills to up his match total to a team-best 15.

Game four saw Northridge pull away early en route to a 30-21 win which gave the Matadors their second upset of a No. 1 ranked team in a row. Reigning AVCA Player of the Week Joe Nargi led CSUN with 19 kills.

The Warriors and Matadors will face-off again tomorrow night at the Stan Sheriff Center. The action is scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m.