Jan. 11, 2010

Complete Release in PDF Format

CAL STATE NORTHRIDGE (0-0 MPSF, 3-0 overall) won its second consecutive UC Santa Barbara Invitational to begin 2010, defeating the host Gauchos, Cal Baptist, and BYU all in four sets. Jacek Ratajczak hit .615 (37K-5E-52TA) for the tournament, while MVP Kevin McKniff delivered an effective .606 clip (45K-2E-71TA). The MPSF schedule opens at home vs. UC San Diego Wed. (Jan. 13) followed by a visit to Long Beach State Fri. (Jan. 15).

HAWAII (0-0 MPSF, 2-1 overall) hosted the Outrigger Hotels Invitational and won two of three matches, including a four-set shocker over top-ranked USC. The Warriors also defeated Ohio State (3-0) and fell to Penn State (3-2). Josh Walker was named the tournament MVP after averaging 5.25 kills per set with a .466 hitting percentage. Jonus Umlauft also made the all-tourney team. The Warriors begin their MPSF slate at Stanford for two this weekend.

BYU (0-0 MPSF, 2-1 overall) was the runner-up at this year's UC Santa Barbara Invitational, defeating last year's national champion UC Irvine (3-1) and UCLA (3-2) en route to the championship match. Andrew Stewart tallied 17 kills (.308) in the finals against CS Northridge. The Cougars host Pacific Friday and Saturday to begin MPSF action.

UCLA (0-0 MPSF, 1-2 overall) finished fourth at UCSB with its win coming over UC San Diego in five sets on Thursday. Garrett Muagututia totaled 45 kills in three matches, including 18 in the victory and 14 (.571) in the third-place loss to Cal Baptist. UCLA begins MPSF action at home, hosting USC Wednesday and Pepperdine Friday.

UC IRVINE (0-0 MPSF, 3-1 overall) placed fifth at UCSB with wins over UC San Diego (3-1) and Long Beach State (3-1). Carson Clark recorded 20 kills (.366) to lead the fifth-place win over the 49ers. UCI served 12 aces in that match. The Anteaters begin conference play this week, hosting Pepperdine Wednesday and USC Friday.

LONG BEACH STATE (0-0 MPSF, 1-2 overall) took sixth with one win over the host UC Santa Barbara, in a 3-2 comeback win. Dean Bittner recorded 22 kills (.333), while Tommy Pestolesi posted a double-double on 11 kills and digs. The 49ers return to UCSB for a conference game Wednesday, before hosting CS Northridge Friday.

UC SAN DIEGO (0-0 MPSF, 1-2 overall) edged the host UC Santa Barbara for seventh-place, 3-2. The Tritons had three effective hitters, led by Frank Fritsch' 27 kills (.347). Will Ehrman added 17 kills (.519) and Cyrus Kiani took 21 errorless swings with 14 kills (.667). UCSD visits CS Northridge and UCSB in the MPSF openers this week.

UC SANTA BARBARA (0-0 MPSF, 0-3 overall) dropped three at its own UCSB Invitational to open the season. Jeff Menzel recorded a conference-high 77 kills on opening weekend, averaging 5.50 per set. The Gauchos get a pair of rematches this week to open MPSF play, hosting Long Beach State Wednesday and UC San Diego Saturday.

USC (0-0 MPSF, 2-1 overall) won two of three at the Hawaii Invitational with wins over Ohio State (3-1) and Penn State (3-0). Murphy Troy and setter Riley McKibbin were named to the all-tournament team. The Trojans begin the   conference at UCLA and UC Irvine this week.

PACIFIC (0-0 MPSF, 4-0 overall) started the season with four wins, sweeping UC Santa Cruz twice and Grand Canyon twice. Taylor Hughes recorded 12 kills on 17 errorless swings (.706), along with 10 blocks in the opener vs. UCSC. He averaged 4.11 kills (.400) for the week. The Tigers open the conference at BYU Friday and Saturday.

PEPPERDINE (0-0 MPSF, 0-1 overall) dropped a five-set match at Cal Baptist to begin the season last Saturday. Rodnei Santos recorded 14 kills (.385) along with seven blocks. Brent Schirripa had a team-high 17 kills. The Waves open conference action at defending national champ UC Irvine Wednesday, before visiting UCLA Friday.

STANFORD (0-0 MPSF, 0-0 overall) gets its season underway at home Friday and Saturday against Hawaii. The Cardinal is coming off a 21-11 season and fourth place MPSF finish. All but one starter returns, including first-team All-Americans Kawika and Erik Shoji.

MCKNIFF AND WALKER MPSF MOLTEN PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

Cal State Northridge senior middle blocker Kevin McKniff (Tucson, AZ/Sabino HS) was named UC Santa Barbara Invitational MVP, leading the Matadors to three wins and the tournament title. McKniff averaged 3.75 kills while hitting .606 (45K-2E-71TA). He capped off the week with 15 kills (.538) and three blocks in the championship win over BYU. McKniff added 13 blocks and four aces over the 12 sets played.

Hawaii junior outside hitter Josh Walker (Virginia Beach, VA/Tallwood HS) was named Hawaii Outrigger Hotels Invitational Most Outstanding Player. He averaged 5.25 kills per set while hitting .466 over the three matches. His weekend efforts were highlighted by a match-high 24 kills (6.00 K/S) at .447 in a four-set upset over No. 1 USC in the tournament championship.