California Baptist University
University of the Pacific
WVB Preview: CBU Opens up 2025 Season at the Ridge Invitational
8/25/2025 12:00:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
RIVERSIDE, CA--- The 2025 Volleyball season commences this weekend as the California Baptist University volleyball team opens its season at the Ridge Invitational in Northridge, California.
The Lancers, led by first-year Head Coach Trevor Johnson, will compete against Pacific, Idaho State, and host school CSUN in the tournament, with the season opener set for Friday, August 29, against Pacific at 2 PM.
"We definitely want to be challenged right away. I feel like we put together a pretty tough schedule, like playing Utah, a BIG 12 school, so that's one we are really excited about. But we are not overlooking anyone on the schedule and are refocused on winning the next practice and next point each and every time we step on the court", remarked Johnson about the season outlook.
The Lancers, under the leadership of Coach Johnson and the brand-new staff, have transformed the roster by adding nine new players while blending in only a handful of returners who played consistently a season ago. One of the primary returners will be right side Eliana Posada, who was named to the Western Athletic Conference all-preseason team after finishing in the top three in kills in 2024 and second on the team in blocks.
"I see so much potential in Eliana. I can see her being WAC Player of the Year. I really just think the world of her," said Coach Johnson.
Posada is joined by a handful of familiar faces from last year, including setter Reese Reed entering her senior season and redshirt sophomore outside Emery DeJong, who figures to have an increased role in her third season in Riverside.
CBU welcomes several new faces, including a pair of Memphis transfers in Olivia Melton and Eleftheria Baxa, who will be in the mix on the outside for Johnson's squad. The Lancer will also add in Sonoma State transfer Jordyn Waite-Ward in the middle and a pair of solid international athletes in Simge Yuksel from Turkey and Filippa Botcher from Spain.
The non-conference schedule will continue on with trips to San Luis Obispo and Santa Clara before the Lancers have their home opener on Thursday, September 11 against Cal State Fullerton. The schedule will transition to WAC play on September 25 as they compete in their annual match in the Dale E. & Sarah Ann Fowler Events Center against Tarleton for Country Night. CBU will then play 12 conference matches before heading to Abilene, Texas, to battle in the WAC Tournament from November 20-22.
NEXT: CBU officially opens its season on Friday, August 29 against Pacific at 2 PM in Northridge, CA.
TICKETS: Get your season and single-game tickets here!
