Friday, September 17
Irvine, Calif.
3 PM
California Baptist University
vs
Cal State Fullerton
Photo by: Zac Zeman zaczeman.com
VB Preview: Lancers Take Winning Streak Into Big West/WAC Match-Up
9/15/2021 8:57:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
IRVINE – California Baptist University volleyball is on a roll heading into its final two non-conference matches of the season this week, as the winners of three straight matches and five of its last six.
The Lancers went undefeated over the weekend as they made their home debut in the CBU/UC Riverside Tournament on Friday and Saturday. California Baptist swept New Orleans (25-21, 25-20, 25-14) and UCR (25-13, 25-20, 25-15) and pulled out a five-set win over Southern Utah (28-26, 19-25, 23-25, 25-20, 18-16).
It brings CBU's record to 5-3 this season. The success was due in large part to the team's defense, as the Lancers out dug (12.73 – 11.18) and out-blocked (2.59 – 1.82) their opponents. CBU also averaged 2.64 aces a set last week, while giving up just 1.73.
Christine Graf and Tesa Oaks also had big weeks offensively, along with setters Hana Okuhara and Leah Pease. Graf averaged a team-high 3.18 kills a set on a .386 hitting percentage, while Oaks logged 3.00 kills on a .272 clip.
Pease finished with 4.64 assists and 2.73 digs a set on the week, while Okuhara had 4.36 assists and 1.73 digs. Libero Paige Johnstone matched Pease with a team-high 2.73 digs a set last week, while Cassidy Dennison had 2.18 and had 10 kills on a .296 hitting percentage.
Middle blockers Chandler Gorman and Laura Walewska had big weeks and averaged 1.18 and 1.14 blocks a set, respectively. Walewska was one of a few Lancers who earned more playing time last week, with fellow true freshman Anna Jackson (1.50 kills, 1.00 blocks a set) getting mixed in on the right side, as well.
GRAF ATTACK
Graf is putting together a career year, as the junior outside hitter is putting up season bests with 2.96 kills per set on a .321 hitting percentage and 0.60 blocks a set. The 2019 WAC All-Freshman Team member has eclipsed double-digit kills four times this season, with a season-high 16 against Southern Utah on Sept. 11. Her career-high 22 kills came when she was a freshman in just three sets against the Thunderbirds on Sept. 20, 2019.
SERVES UP
CBU has been a strong team as the service line again this year, as the Lancers are averaging 1.85 aces per set while giving up 1.62. Dennison has been unreal at the line, with 12 aces for a 0.46 average, while Johnstone is not far off with nine aces on a 0.35 average. Both of them have had matches with five aces this year.
ON THE BLOCK
Gorman and Walewska are both off to strong starts this season in the middle for CBU. Gorman is averaging a career-high 1.09 blocks per set with 24 blocks, including six solos, over eight matches. Walewska was impressive in her home debut last week and is averaging 0.90 blocks a set with a .350 hitting percentage.
A LOOK AT THE OPPOSITION
Coming off a sweep of UC Riverside, CBU will play two more matches against Big West Conference opponents in Cal State Fullerton and UC Irvine at the Big West/WAC Match-Up hosted by UCI at the Bren Events Center.
CSUF comes in with a 2-4 record and has lost three of its last four matches. The Titans have wins over Fordham and Southeastern Louisiana this year and have dropped matches to New Mexico, Auburn, Denver and Air Force.
Sophomore outside hitter Julia Crawford is Cal State Fullerton's go-to attacker, as she's averaging 3.81 kills a set, which is nearly one more than the next closest teammate. The offense runs through sophomore setter Elizabeth Schuster, who's averaging 10.10 assists a set, along with 3.19 digs. Junior libero Neena Dimas is putting up an impressive 4.19 digs a set this year.
Conversely, UCI has won two in a row and three of its four outings. The Anteaters are 6-3 overall, with victories over Idaho State, Seattle U, George Mason, Southern Utah, Sacred Heart and Lafayette College. They've fallen to UTEP, Boise State and Fairfield.
Joy Umeh and Onye Ofoegbu give UCI a dangerous one-two punch on offense, as both are averaging 3.50 kills a set on a hitting percentage of .307 or greater. Ofoegbu is dangerous on both sides of the net, with a 1.41 block per set average.
TOURNAMENT INFORMATION
Opponents: Cal State Fullerton and UC Irvine
Dates: September 17-18
Times: September 17: Cal State Fullerton @ 3 p.m. | September 18: UC Irvine @ 7 p.m.
Location: Irvine, Calif. (Bren Events Center)
Live Stats: Sidearm
Video: ESPN+
The Lancers went undefeated over the weekend as they made their home debut in the CBU/UC Riverside Tournament on Friday and Saturday. California Baptist swept New Orleans (25-21, 25-20, 25-14) and UCR (25-13, 25-20, 25-15) and pulled out a five-set win over Southern Utah (28-26, 19-25, 23-25, 25-20, 18-16).
It feels good to #LanceUp⚔️ after a 3-0 weekend. pic.twitter.com/PhebEZlfcF
— California Baptist Volleyball (@CBUvolleyball) September 13, 2021
It brings CBU's record to 5-3 this season. The success was due in large part to the team's defense, as the Lancers out dug (12.73 – 11.18) and out-blocked (2.59 – 1.82) their opponents. CBU also averaged 2.64 aces a set last week, while giving up just 1.73.
Christine Graf and Tesa Oaks also had big weeks offensively, along with setters Hana Okuhara and Leah Pease. Graf averaged a team-high 3.18 kills a set on a .386 hitting percentage, while Oaks logged 3.00 kills on a .272 clip.
Pease finished with 4.64 assists and 2.73 digs a set on the week, while Okuhara had 4.36 assists and 1.73 digs. Libero Paige Johnstone matched Pease with a team-high 2.73 digs a set last week, while Cassidy Dennison had 2.18 and had 10 kills on a .296 hitting percentage.
Middle blockers Chandler Gorman and Laura Walewska had big weeks and averaged 1.18 and 1.14 blocks a set, respectively. Walewska was one of a few Lancers who earned more playing time last week, with fellow true freshman Anna Jackson (1.50 kills, 1.00 blocks a set) getting mixed in on the right side, as well.
Last weekend was fun 🤩
— California Baptist Volleyball (@CBUvolleyball) September 14, 2021
Can't wait to be back in Van Dyne #LanceUp⚔️ pic.twitter.com/EwZroPytGp
GRAF ATTACK
Graf is putting together a career year, as the junior outside hitter is putting up season bests with 2.96 kills per set on a .321 hitting percentage and 0.60 blocks a set. The 2019 WAC All-Freshman Team member has eclipsed double-digit kills four times this season, with a season-high 16 against Southern Utah on Sept. 11. Her career-high 22 kills came when she was a freshman in just three sets against the Thunderbirds on Sept. 20, 2019.
SERVES UP
CBU has been a strong team as the service line again this year, as the Lancers are averaging 1.85 aces per set while giving up 1.62. Dennison has been unreal at the line, with 12 aces for a 0.46 average, while Johnstone is not far off with nine aces on a 0.35 average. Both of them have had matches with five aces this year.
ON THE BLOCK
Gorman and Walewska are both off to strong starts this season in the middle for CBU. Gorman is averaging a career-high 1.09 blocks per set with 24 blocks, including six solos, over eight matches. Walewska was impressive in her home debut last week and is averaging 0.90 blocks a set with a .350 hitting percentage.
A LOOK AT THE OPPOSITION
Coming off a sweep of UC Riverside, CBU will play two more matches against Big West Conference opponents in Cal State Fullerton and UC Irvine at the Big West/WAC Match-Up hosted by UCI at the Bren Events Center.
CSUF comes in with a 2-4 record and has lost three of its last four matches. The Titans have wins over Fordham and Southeastern Louisiana this year and have dropped matches to New Mexico, Auburn, Denver and Air Force.
Sophomore outside hitter Julia Crawford is Cal State Fullerton's go-to attacker, as she's averaging 3.81 kills a set, which is nearly one more than the next closest teammate. The offense runs through sophomore setter Elizabeth Schuster, who's averaging 10.10 assists a set, along with 3.19 digs. Junior libero Neena Dimas is putting up an impressive 4.19 digs a set this year.
Conversely, UCI has won two in a row and three of its four outings. The Anteaters are 6-3 overall, with victories over Idaho State, Seattle U, George Mason, Southern Utah, Sacred Heart and Lafayette College. They've fallen to UTEP, Boise State and Fairfield.
Joy Umeh and Onye Ofoegbu give UCI a dangerous one-two punch on offense, as both are averaging 3.50 kills a set on a hitting percentage of .307 or greater. Ofoegbu is dangerous on both sides of the net, with a 1.41 block per set average.
TOURNAMENT INFORMATION
Opponents: Cal State Fullerton and UC Irvine
Dates: September 17-18
Times: September 17: Cal State Fullerton @ 3 p.m. | September 18: UC Irvine @ 7 p.m.
Location: Irvine, Calif. (Bren Events Center)
Live Stats: Sidearm
Video: ESPN+
Players Mentioned
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
MB
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
OPP
/ Women's Volleyball
L
/ Women's Volleyball
S
/ Women's Volleyball
S
/ Women's Volleyball
MB
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