CSUN, Citing Team Policy, Suspends Hewitt

Craig Hewitt, a starting middle blocker on Cal State Northridge’s fourth-ranked men’s volleyball team, has been suspended for three matches.

Coach John Price said Friday that Hewitt will miss Northridge’s match against UC San Diego tonight, and back-to-back contests against Brigham Young on Monday and Tuesday. He cited the player’s failure to “adhere to team policy” as the reason for the suspension.

Hewitt, who led the Matadors in blocking last season, missed practice on Thursday. “He thought he had a valid reason for not being there,” Price said. “But we have a team policy.”

That policy called for Hewitt to perform what Price described as a “conditioning drill” on Friday. “He didn’t think that was an appropriate or fair deal,” Price said. “That’s where the problem began. Really, it was a very small incident. But it got blown out of proportion.”

Price said he would meet again with Hewitt on Wednesday and that if the player met “certain conditions” he would be reinstated.

Hewitt, reached at his parents’ home in Canoga Park, said he plans to return to the team. “I’ve been talking to my family and friends and basically I want to be there for my teammates,” he said.

Hewitt ranked 17th in the nation last season with a .405 hitting percentage. His suspension leaves the already shorthanded Matadors in dire straits.

Ken Lynch, an opposite hitter who is a three-year starter, is expected to miss the same three matches because of a strained back. With Chris Gil temporarily academically ineligible and Greg Weaver out for the season because of inadequate grades, Northridge is without an opposite hitter.

Price said that All-American middle blocker Coley Kyman, although not completely recovered from knee surgery, might switch positions.