Senior Kelley Hanson had a season-high 19 digs in Northridge's five-set win over San Jose State on Saturday

Sept. 6, 2008

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Junior Angela Hupp put down a season-high 18 kills to lead a quartet of Matador hitters in double figures as Cal State Northridge came from a two sets to one deficit to top San Jose State, 29-27, 16-25, 25-27, 25-23, 17-15 on Saturday in the Matadors' finale of the Sacramento State Invitational at the Hornets Nest.

Northridge (4-2) finishes 2-1 in its second straight tournament to open the 2008 season. The Matadors defeated host Sacramento State in three sets on Friday and lost in three to Saint Mary's on Saturday morning. The five-set loss leaves San Jose State at 2-5 overall.

Hupp had a solid all-around match as she had 18 kills (.146), eight digs, eight blocks, two assists and one ace. Sophomore Brittany Williams added 15 kills (.140) and freshman Puneet Pataria came off the bench to post a career-high 13 kills (.209). Sophomore Lynda Morales also registered double figures in kills with 11 and hit a match-high .529. Freshman setter Sam Orlandini had a career-high 52 assists as she set the Matadors to a .210 (64-29-174) hitting percentage. Seniors Kelley Hanson and Amy Hultner combined for 31 digs in the win.

"We played with a lot of poise and character tonight," said assistant coach Kiran Mistry. "We played with a little urgency tonight. Siara was steady and served really well and Jenn was a difference maker. It really was a great team effort."

Kelley Crow led the Spartans with 17 kills (.233) while Niki Clement (.087) and Brianna Amian (.194) each added 15 kills. San Jose State wound up out-hitting the Matadors by a slim .207-.201 margin and had 66 digs to Northridge's 59. The Matadors won the battle at the net 14.0 team blocks to 13.0 for the Spartans.

After the Matadors battled back to knot the match at two sets apiece after a thrilling 25-23 win in the fourth set, the match went to a fifth and deciding frame. In the fifth, the Spartans looked to take control after they jumped out to an 8-1 lead. A Williams kill drew the Matadors closer at 8-2 and Grayson stepped to the service line. Three straight Northridge points forced a Spartan timeout but Grayson was not done. A pair of aces pulled the Matadors within 8-7 before an Amian kill ended the run. The teams traded points until San Jose State had match point at 14-12. A Kepler kill followed by a Spartan hitting error drew the Matadors even at 14-14. After a San Jose State timeout, Crow committed a hitting error but Orlandini served out on match point. The Matadors then got back-to-back kills from Williams and Hupp to complete the improbable comeback.

Cal State Northridge returns to tournament action next weekend (Sept. 12-13) as the Matadors travel to Tempe, Ariz., to take part in the ASU Classic at Arizona State.

- GO MATADORS -