Thursday, October 7
Riverside, Calif.
7 PM
California Baptist University
vs
Dixie State
Photo by: Reagan Lee
VB Preview: CBU Prepares for Three-Match Homestand, Events Center Match This Week
10/5/2021 2:35:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
RIVERSIDE – Coming off arguably the biggest win in program history, California Baptist University volleyball will look to keep the momentum rolling into three-straight home matches. The Lancers start off the homestand by welcoming in Dixie State and Utah Valley this week.
CBU is coming off a come-from-behind, five-set win over the Wester Athletic Conference's West Division leader NM State on Saturday (15-25, 22-25, 25-22, 25-21, 16-14). It gave the Lancers a split in their toughest road trip in the division after a three-set loss at Grand Canyon on Thursday. CBU is 7-6 overall and 2-1 in the WAC coming into this week, while Dixie State is 2-9, 1-2 and Utah Valley is 6-8, 1-2.
The Lancers' most recent win not only handed NMSU its first conference loss of the season, but made things very interesting in the WAC's West Division standings. It also ended the Aggies' nine-match winning streak overall, its 13 straight regular-season match winning streak in the WAC and 14-straight home conference victories.
Grand Canyon and NM State are now tied for first in the West Division at 3-1 in conference. CBU is in third place at 2-1, while Chicago State is right behind at 2-2. The Lancers will look to keep their top-three standing in the division and hold off Dixie State and Utah Valley, which are both tied for fifth at 1-2 in league play.
PACK THE EVENTS CENTER
Thursday's match with the Dixie State Trailblazers will serve as CBU's annual match in the CBU Events Center. CBU hosted UC Riverside in 2018 and CSU Bakersfield in 2019 at the CBU Events Center with the two largest home crowds in program history. The match-up against CSUB set the school record with 3,418 fans in attendance.
Tickets for the event remain available through the CBU Events Center box office. Ticket prices are $10 for adults, $7 for youth (ages 3-18), $5 for seniors and military. Fans are encouraged to purchase tickets online in advance at www.cbulancers.com/tickets. Admission is free for CBU students, faculty and staff.
The State of California issued guidance in August for indoor mega-events with over 1,000 people that went into action on Sept. 20 and is set to remain in place until Nov. 1.
All ages are welcome to attend the event. Guests (ages 12 and up) attending the volleyball match at the CBU Events Center on Oct. 7 will be required to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of the event. Fans will be required to wear a mask regardless of vaccination status unless socially distanced or actively eating or drinking.
HOME SWEET HOME
CBU is off to a 4-0 start on its home floor this season. The Lancers won all three matches in the CBU/UCR Tournament against New Orleans, Southern Utah and UC Riverside on Sept. 10-11 and then swept Chicago State in its WAC opener. The success was due in large part to the team's defense, as the Lancers out dug (12.93 – 11.79) and out-blocked (2.54 – 1.79) their opponents. CBU also averaged 2.43 aces a set, while giving up just 1.50 in Van Dyne.
Several Lancers have hit another level on their home floor. Christine Graf is averaging 3.21 kills on a .409 hitting percentage (45-9-88), while Laura Walewska (1.20) and Chandler Gorman (1.14) are both averaging more than a block per set. Cassidy Dennison is averaging 0.71 aces and 2.14 digs a set, while Paige Johnstone is putting up 2.79 digs and 0.57 aces per set in Riverside, too.
WELCOME TO THE 500 CLUB
Both Graf and Johnstone joined the 500 club the last two weeks, with Graf doing so in kills and Johnstone in digs. Graf is putting together a career year, as the junior outside hitter is putting up season bests with 2.91 kills per set on a .299 hitting percentage. She hit her 500th career kill in her 57th match against Chicago State two weeks ago. The 2019 WAC All-Freshman Team member has eclipsed double-digit kills seven times this season, with a season-high 16 against Southern Utah on Sept. 11.
Johnstone has shined at libero the last two seasons. She leads the Lancers with 179 digs for a 4.07 per set average this year. The Murrieta native has double-digit digs in nine of 13 matches this year, including a season-high 27 in five sets at NM State on Saturday. Those 27 digs also eclipsed her 500th dig, with 510 in her career (3.33). She's reached that feat in just 47 matches and 153 sets. She ranks second overall in CBU's NCAA era in career digs per set (3.33) and ninth in total digs.
A LOOK AT THE OPPOSITION
Dixie State's 2-9 record is deceiving, as the team has played a tough schedule against teams like Boise State, Long Beach State, Michigan State and BYU. The Trailblazers are 2-2 over their last four matches, with an impressive 3-1 win over Southern Utah and a sweep of Grand Canyon to open WAC play on Sept. 23. They also took a set off NM State.
For the first time since 2021, the Trailblazers are under the direction of new head coach Camilla Hafoka, who served as an assistant coach for DSU for two seasons. She was a four-year starting setter at Oregon State.
DSU has been a strong blocking team this year, as it averages 1.9 a set. Freshman middle blocker Kate Hardy is the only Trailblazer to start all 11 matches this year and leads the team in blocking with 38 overall and 0.93 a set. Lizzy Clark is not far off with 30 blocks (0.81). Mykenna Nelson anchors the back row defense with 200 digs (4.88) and a .967 reception percentage.
Offensively, Hannah Howard has a team-high 89 kills (2.34), while Whittnee Nihipali is the only other attacker to play in all 11 matches and average more than two kills a set (2.08). Lauren Mena (5.15 assists) and Jordyn Nelson (4.72) split time at setter.
Utah Valley entered the season as the preseason favorite in the WAC West Division after it won the 2020 WAC Tournament title, but the Wolverines have had a tough start to the season.
They've played a tough schedule and started out 1-5 after playing nationally ranked Utah twice, BYU once and another Power 5 foe in Arizona State. UVU is 3-3 in its last six matches, but 1-2 to start the WAC campaign after losses to NM State, Grand Canyon and a win over Chicago State.
The Wolverines average 2.7 blocks a set, with Sadie Hamson (1.23) and Kendra Nocl (1.21) both averaging over a block a set individually. Bryton Bishop averaged 4.02 digs a set for the defense. Setters Abbie Miller and Natalie Palmer run the offense at setter and also lead the team with 17 aces each.
Reigning WAC Player of the Year Kazna Tanuvasa is the team's go-to hitter, as she averaged 3.59 kills a set. Her 194 total kills are nearly 90 more than her next teammate. The two-time All-WAC First Teamer posted a season-high 23 kills against Weber State this year.
MATCH INFORMATION
Opponents: Dixie State and Utah Valley
Dates: October 7 & 9
Times: 7 p.m. & 12 p.m.
Location: Riverside, Calif. (CBU Events Center & Van Dyne Gym)
Live Stats: Statbroadcast: Dixie State | Utah Valley
Video: ESPN+: Dixie State & Utah Valley | WAC Digital Network (international viewers only): Dixie State | Utah Valley
CBU is coming off a come-from-behind, five-set win over the Wester Athletic Conference's West Division leader NM State on Saturday (15-25, 22-25, 25-22, 25-21, 16-14). It gave the Lancers a split in their toughest road trip in the division after a three-set loss at Grand Canyon on Thursday. CBU is 7-6 overall and 2-1 in the WAC coming into this week, while Dixie State is 2-9, 1-2 and Utah Valley is 6-8, 1-2.
The Lancers' most recent win not only handed NMSU its first conference loss of the season, but made things very interesting in the WAC's West Division standings. It also ended the Aggies' nine-match winning streak overall, its 13 straight regular-season match winning streak in the WAC and 14-straight home conference victories.
Grand Canyon and NM State are now tied for first in the West Division at 3-1 in conference. CBU is in third place at 2-1, while Chicago State is right behind at 2-2. The Lancers will look to keep their top-three standing in the division and hold off Dixie State and Utah Valley, which are both tied for fifth at 1-2 in league play.
𝘐𝘵'𝘴 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 ⏳ #LanceUp⚔️ pic.twitter.com/xT7gtqGLW4
— California Baptist Volleyball (@CBUvolleyball) October 5, 2021
PACK THE EVENTS CENTER
Thursday's match with the Dixie State Trailblazers will serve as CBU's annual match in the CBU Events Center. CBU hosted UC Riverside in 2018 and CSU Bakersfield in 2019 at the CBU Events Center with the two largest home crowds in program history. The match-up against CSUB set the school record with 3,418 fans in attendance.
Tickets for the event remain available through the CBU Events Center box office. Ticket prices are $10 for adults, $7 for youth (ages 3-18), $5 for seniors and military. Fans are encouraged to purchase tickets online in advance at www.cbulancers.com/tickets. Admission is free for CBU students, faculty and staff.
The State of California issued guidance in August for indoor mega-events with over 1,000 people that went into action on Sept. 20 and is set to remain in place until Nov. 1.
All ages are welcome to attend the event. Guests (ages 12 and up) attending the volleyball match at the CBU Events Center on Oct. 7 will be required to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of the event. Fans will be required to wear a mask regardless of vaccination status unless socially distanced or actively eating or drinking.
Who can't wait until tomorrow? 🙋♀️#LanceUp⚔️ pic.twitter.com/K06mnuJJwj
— California Baptist Volleyball (@CBUvolleyball) October 6, 2021
HOME SWEET HOME
CBU is off to a 4-0 start on its home floor this season. The Lancers won all three matches in the CBU/UCR Tournament against New Orleans, Southern Utah and UC Riverside on Sept. 10-11 and then swept Chicago State in its WAC opener. The success was due in large part to the team's defense, as the Lancers out dug (12.93 – 11.79) and out-blocked (2.54 – 1.79) their opponents. CBU also averaged 2.43 aces a set, while giving up just 1.50 in Van Dyne.
Several Lancers have hit another level on their home floor. Christine Graf is averaging 3.21 kills on a .409 hitting percentage (45-9-88), while Laura Walewska (1.20) and Chandler Gorman (1.14) are both averaging more than a block per set. Cassidy Dennison is averaging 0.71 aces and 2.14 digs a set, while Paige Johnstone is putting up 2.79 digs and 0.57 aces per set in Riverside, too.
WELCOME TO THE 500 CLUB
Both Graf and Johnstone joined the 500 club the last two weeks, with Graf doing so in kills and Johnstone in digs. Graf is putting together a career year, as the junior outside hitter is putting up season bests with 2.91 kills per set on a .299 hitting percentage. She hit her 500th career kill in her 57th match against Chicago State two weeks ago. The 2019 WAC All-Freshman Team member has eclipsed double-digit kills seven times this season, with a season-high 16 against Southern Utah on Sept. 11.
Johnstone has shined at libero the last two seasons. She leads the Lancers with 179 digs for a 4.07 per set average this year. The Murrieta native has double-digit digs in nine of 13 matches this year, including a season-high 27 in five sets at NM State on Saturday. Those 27 digs also eclipsed her 500th dig, with 510 in her career (3.33). She's reached that feat in just 47 matches and 153 sets. She ranks second overall in CBU's NCAA era in career digs per set (3.33) and ninth in total digs.
A LOOK AT THE OPPOSITION
Dixie State's 2-9 record is deceiving, as the team has played a tough schedule against teams like Boise State, Long Beach State, Michigan State and BYU. The Trailblazers are 2-2 over their last four matches, with an impressive 3-1 win over Southern Utah and a sweep of Grand Canyon to open WAC play on Sept. 23. They also took a set off NM State.
For the first time since 2021, the Trailblazers are under the direction of new head coach Camilla Hafoka, who served as an assistant coach for DSU for two seasons. She was a four-year starting setter at Oregon State.
DSU has been a strong blocking team this year, as it averages 1.9 a set. Freshman middle blocker Kate Hardy is the only Trailblazer to start all 11 matches this year and leads the team in blocking with 38 overall and 0.93 a set. Lizzy Clark is not far off with 30 blocks (0.81). Mykenna Nelson anchors the back row defense with 200 digs (4.88) and a .967 reception percentage.
Offensively, Hannah Howard has a team-high 89 kills (2.34), while Whittnee Nihipali is the only other attacker to play in all 11 matches and average more than two kills a set (2.08). Lauren Mena (5.15 assists) and Jordyn Nelson (4.72) split time at setter.
Utah Valley entered the season as the preseason favorite in the WAC West Division after it won the 2020 WAC Tournament title, but the Wolverines have had a tough start to the season.
They've played a tough schedule and started out 1-5 after playing nationally ranked Utah twice, BYU once and another Power 5 foe in Arizona State. UVU is 3-3 in its last six matches, but 1-2 to start the WAC campaign after losses to NM State, Grand Canyon and a win over Chicago State.
The Wolverines average 2.7 blocks a set, with Sadie Hamson (1.23) and Kendra Nocl (1.21) both averaging over a block a set individually. Bryton Bishop averaged 4.02 digs a set for the defense. Setters Abbie Miller and Natalie Palmer run the offense at setter and also lead the team with 17 aces each.
Reigning WAC Player of the Year Kazna Tanuvasa is the team's go-to hitter, as she averaged 3.59 kills a set. Her 194 total kills are nearly 90 more than her next teammate. The two-time All-WAC First Teamer posted a season-high 23 kills against Weber State this year.
MATCH INFORMATION
Opponents: Dixie State and Utah Valley
Dates: October 7 & 9
Times: 7 p.m. & 12 p.m.
Location: Riverside, Calif. (CBU Events Center & Van Dyne Gym)
Live Stats: Statbroadcast: Dixie State | Utah Valley
Video: ESPN+: Dixie State & Utah Valley | WAC Digital Network (international viewers only): Dixie State | Utah Valley
Players Mentioned
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
MB
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
L
/ Women's Volleyball
MB
/ Women's VolleyballCBU Volleyball Hype Video 2025
Monday, September 22
CBU Volleyball Hype Video 2024
Tuesday, September 17
CBU Volleyball vs Tarleton St. (Cinematic Highlight)
Tuesday, October 17
CBU Volleyball Hype Video 2023
Monday, September 18
