Net-Work Payoff

NORTHRIDGE — During the first week of practice, Jeff Campbell felt like he’d won the lottery.

The Cal State Northridge men’s volleyball coach had players who knew how to hit, block and pass--fundamentals that couldn’t be taken for granted last season, when Campbell suited up anyone who had ever touched a volleyball.

Back then Northridge was in disarray, a hodgepodge of freshmen, transfers and question marks who comprised a program that was reinstated two months after being eliminated by school administrators because of budget and gender-equity concerns.

Today the Matadors are a year older and wiser, and Campbell is getting much more sleep at night.

“Last year at this time we were in survival mode,” Campbell said. “We were going to take a ragtag team that was put together at the last minute and just try to do some damage. For that team to win 10 matches was phenomenal and a testament to those guys.

“Everything is in place for us to be successful [now]. We’re better than we were at the end of last year. It’s a world of difference.”

The loss of second-team All-American Chad Strickland hurts, but the addition of two key freshmen can only help Northridge, which finished 10-14, 8-13 in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation last season.

Eckhard Walter, a 6-foot-10 opposite hitter from Berlin, brings several years of German junior national team experience. The left-handed Walter, 20, who can easily hit over most blockers and has solid passing skills, is the latest in a line of talented Germans who have played for Northridge, following Dirk Schluter, Oliver Heitmann and Axel Hagar.

Walter’s early reviews have been favorable.

“He’s only a freshman?” Calgary Coach Greg Ryan said after his team played an exhibition against Northridge last week. “I’d like to have him on my team, that’s for sure.”

A potential All-American, Walter is eager but realistic.

“I hope I can satisfy people, but I’m a human being,” he said. “I do want to help the program. I want to win. That’s why I’m here. But it’s not just me on the court. It’s six people out there.”

Walter isn’t the only freshman expected to make an impact. J.P. Jandreau, a 6-5 outside hitter and strong leaper from Arizona, will start immediately.

The returning nucleus is mostly non-seniors.

Junior Mosones will play his third position in as many years, moving from opposite to outside hitter to accommodate Walter. A former setter at Channel Islands High, Mosones, a junior, has one of the best jump serves in the MPSF and finished second on the Matadors with 389 kills last season.

Mosones, who was one of the few players who did not bolt when men’s volleyball was eliminated, has seen plenty of change in a year.

“Last year we were unsure where we stood, we couldn’t get an overview of the future,” Mosones said. “We were barely starting six-man scrimmages. It was just weird. I never expected it. It was hectic.

“This year, we’re set. Everybody knows what the goal is and what it takes to be national champions. I think we have the talent, but we may be lacking in experience.”

Sophomore John Baxter is back after starting as a freshman, as is 6-7 middle blocker Adam Black, a fiery junior who led the team with 102 blocks.

With two freshmen, a sophomore and two juniors in the starting lineup, lack of experience is a concern, along with the team’s passing ability.

Campbell, in his second year as coach, has recruited plenty of capable hitters. Passing skills will have to be acquired, however.

“Passing is going to be the key for our season,” Campbell said. “It’s going to make or break us. The team knows it, everybody knows it.

“We have the talent to pass well, we just don’t have the experience. We can do as many reps as we want in practice, but you just don’t get that experience until you play some games.”

The Matadors will be tested early. Six of their first seven MPSF matches are on the road, including visits to UCLA, Pepperdine and Stanford. Northridge’s only home match during the stretch is against Brigham Young and two-time All-American Ryan Millar.

“If we do well in that first portion,” Mosones said, “it’s going to have a huge impact mentally.”

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OTHER PLAYERS TO WATCH

Ryan Millar

Senior, Brigham Young

From: Highland High

Comment: Two-time All-American middle blocker returns for his final season at BYU.

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Matt Prosser

Sophomore, Long Beach State

From: Buena High

Comment: Started at middle blocker as a true freshman last season.

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Trevor Julian

Sophomore, USC

From: Harvard-Westlake High

Comment: Finished second on Trojans with 172 digs and third with 275 kills last season.

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Jason Lee

Junior, Loyola Marymount

From: Westlake High

Comment: Outside hitter collected team-high 199 digs last season.

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Keith Barnett

Sophomore, Pepperdine

From: Pierce College

Comment: Setter with Brahmas now starts at outside hitter for Waves.

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Rick Rauth

Junior, UC Santa Barbara

From: Harvard-Westlake High

Comment: Part-time starting outside hitter for two seasons is now full-time starter.

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Dylan Herrick

Junior, Pacific

From: Campbell Hall High

Comment: Outside hitter averaged team-high 4.08 kills per game last season.

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Jason Morrow

Junior, Princeton

From: Harvard-Westlake High

Comment: Setter sparked the Tigers to berth in NCAA Final Four.

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Nick Marbach

Sophomore, San Diego State

From: Hoover High

Comment: Opposite hitter was third on Aztecs with 13 aces.

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Dan Fisher

Senior, Pacific

From: Cal State Northridge

Comment: Starting setter for Tigers played for Matadors as sophomore.