So, I inspected (via inspection plate - on my lift) the clutch fork, slave plunger travel, and confirmed everything looked fine (good travel, no cracked bosses, pp was moving in /out, etc.). I even sent a video to Roger (helpful) at California Motorsports to confirm.
In a last ditch effort, as I was preparing the garage and my tools for an emergency engine drop (thinking it had to be inside the clutch) - I decided to rebleed one more time. This time, I let it bleed for 20-30 sec to be certain the fluid was new and no air. Note: i was thorough the 1st time the day before......Eureka, the clutch and shifting was back to normal and silky smooth!
After a long ride to confirm all was well, I put the car back on the lift and had my wife depress the clutch to inspect clutch fork travel - I could see now the fork actually was partially beyond the inspection plate housing (toward rear of car). This extra 1/4- 3/8 " travel made all the difference.
I'm thrilled to have an easy fix
.......still not sure how air got into the line (no leaks, 3yr old master/slave cylinders, etc.). My only thought was the fluid level, which was hard to see w/o holding flashlight on the plastic, fell below the pickup in the reservoir and sucked up some air.
Moral of the story - bleed, bleed, and bleed again... before you drop!
Thanks fellas for your input.