Camarillo grad Vance powers CSU Northridge to victory

Behind tournament Most Valuable Player Eric Vance's matchhigh 20 kills, fourthseeded Cal State Northridge won its first UCSB/Elephant Bar Collegiate Invitational volleyball championship after defeating Stanford (21-30, 30-20, 30-27, 30-20) on Sat., Jan. 10 at Robertson Gym in Santa Barbara.

Vance is a graduate of Adolfo Camarillo High School.

Cal State Northridge defeated No. 2 UCLA and No. 14 UC Santa Barbara before topping No. 8 Stanford in the title match.

The tournament championship was the first for the Matadors since Northridge first appeared in the Elephant Bar Invitational in 1996. The Matadors reached the championship match twice, in 2004 and 2005, but lost in the title match each time to UCLA.

Vance earned tournament MVP and alltournament honors after pounding 60 kills in the Matadors' three wins, including 20 against the Cardinal.

The 2008 firstteam AllAmerica also added eight digs and three blocks (two solo) while hitting .250 in 48 swings.

Courtesy Cal State Northridge Athletics.