California Baptist University
3-4,0-0WAC
California State University at Fullerton
4-3,0-0Big West
Baxa's Career Game Helps CBU Best Cal State Fullerton in its Home Opener
9/11/2025 9:03:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
RIVERSIDE, CA--- The California Baptist University volleyball team kicked off its home schedule on the right note, earning a hard-fought four-set victory over future Big West opponent Cal State Fullerton in Van Dyne Gym.
The Lancers spent the first two weeks of the season on the road, but would make a triumphant return on Thursday evening as they would get significant contributions from multiple players to protect their home turf. The win over the Titans moves CBU's record to 3-4 while dropping CSUF to 4-3.
The Lancers fell behind early in the opening set, but a 5-0 Maddie Brown service run provided CBU with the spark they needed to mount a rally. The Lancers would go on a 10-2 run to take a 20-17 lead over Cal State Fullerton and force them to burn both of their timeouts to regroup. The Lancers' offense didn't let up, and they would secure the 1-0 start with a 25-20 set one victory on a Filippa Botcher ace.
The second set was a dogfight as both teams went back and forth at one another with plenty of spectacular offensive and defensive plays to go around. Just when it seemed like the Titans were going to go on a big run, the Lancers answered back, and vice versa. A handful of late miscues by the Lancers would cost them their lead, and the Titans would score five of the final six points to tie the match at one apiece. The third set was the most lopsided of the evening as the Lancers quickly built a four-point lead before the media timeout. CBU would come out of the break with a flurry of offense led by Eleftheria Baxa, who had herself a career night. Baxa and the Lancers scored nine of the final 12 points to wrap up a 25-16 set victory and a 2-1 lead over the Titans.
The fourth set was a true nailbiter as the Lancers looked to close down the pesky Titans. CBU came out hot with a quick 7-1 start, but Fullerton would rally and eventually tie the match at 14 apiece a few moments later. CBU would go up by three points on the ensuing couple of possessions, but the Titans would once again recover and tie the match to force Trevor Johnson to burn a precious timeout. With the score tied at 22 apiece, Emery DeJong and Baxa came to the rescue on back-to-back possessions to put CBU at set point 24-22. The Titans would capitalize on CBU errors to force the match into extra points. A Baxa kill and a Gianna Perez service ace ultimately won the day for the Lancers, 26-24, and secured the 3-1 victory.
Baxa was simply incredible for the Lancers with a career-high 26 points on 20 kills. Baxa was also a force on the defensive side, with ten digs and three blocks, and added four aces for good measure. DeJong and Maddie Brown would register double-doubles, with Brown racking up a career-high 44 assists and 14 digs as CBU's setter. Avery Barber and Perez put in work on the defensive side of the ball, combining for 32 digs.
NEXT: The Lancers are back in action for Day Two of The Joust as they face Portland State for the second time this season at 6 PM in Van Dyne Gym.
