Ty Tramblie

Barry Faulkner

Like the anxious young child who can’t quite reach the vertical line

past which only those tall enough may board the cool rides, Ty

Tramblie was looked down upon by Division I college volleyball

recruiters.

“Nobody really wants a small setter,” the former Newport Harbor

High star said of his dearth of recruiting interest, following his

prep swan song that included the 1999 CIF Southern Section Division I

championship. That senior campaign also produced a shelf full of

individual accolades, including CIF Division I and Newport-Mesa

Player of the Year. “I thought I was going to end up at a junior

college, or maybe even not play anymore.”

Cal State Northridge Coach Jeff Campbell, however, liked

Tramblie’s attitude and talent enough to overlook his altitude. And

Tramblie, whom Campbell said must elevate on tip-toes to live up to

his 6-foot roster listing, has helped the Matadors, ranked No. 6,

become a national championship contender.

“He’s really a small guy, so he might not be the best blocker, but

he generally puts the ball in a good location and does a good job

playing defense,” said Campbell, who admires the 175-pound setter’s

determination, leadership and skill. “You can’t measure heart.”

“I think [Campbell] saw that I could play pretty good defense and

that I was scrappy,” said Tramblie, a senior in his third season as

the setter for the Matadors (7-3, 3-2 in the Mountain Pacific Sports

Federation).

Tramblie, No. 4 on the school’s all-time assist list (2,957) and

second on the team this season in digs and blocks, has a more

colorful description of his leading attributes on the court.

“I’m good at picking up all the trash,” he said. “I like to throw

my body around out there.”

Tramblie says he draws motivation from those in the sport who have

always believed bigger is better.

“I’ve always believed you have to work for any success you get and

that’s the way I’ve always played. [Newport Harbor Coach Dan Glenn]

instilled that into us.”

The slight chip on Tramblie’s shoulder makes it difficult for him

to savor any team or individual success.

“I don’t like [being high] in the rankings,” he said. “I’d rather

be the underdog.”

Tramblie, who set only one season at Newport Harbor -- having had

to wait his turn behind All-CIF veteran Travis Nelson -- said he is

thankful for the opportunity to run the show the last three seasons

at Northridge. But, he admits, his experience hasn’t created any

complacency.

“I though there would be [a comfort zone] by this time, but it

seems like I’m always learning something new,” he said. “It seems

like every time you think you’ve got the game figured out, everything

goes wrong. You have to continue pushing to get better.”

Tramblie’s desire to improve is only one trait that makes him a

respected team leader.

“He leads by example and he’s a real inspiration,” Campbell said.

“But he’s also a vocal leader for us.”

On schedule to graduate this spring with a degree in English

literature, Tramblie said he hopes to continue playing, either

indoors in Europe or on the AVP two-man pro beach tour.

“My favorite thing to do is play beach, but my ultimate goal is to

play overseas,” he said. “I would enjoy playing [professionally] and

I’d like to see some different places.”

Tramblie and the Matadors play host to UC Irvine Wednesday in a 7

p.m. MPSF match. Northridge visits UCI April 17.