California Baptist University
3-12,0-4Big West
UC Irvine
5-10,3-1Big West
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UC Irvine | 18 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 15 | 3 |
| California Baptist | 25 | 28 | 21 | 22 | 13 | 2 |
CBU Drops Five-Set Conference Match to UC Irvine
10/3/2026 9:56:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
RIVERSIDE--- The California Baptist University women's volleyball team came up on the wrong side of a five-set match as they dropped the game to the UC Irvine Anteaters in Van Dyne Gym.
The Lancers would come out with all the momentum as they quickly built up a 15-7 lead before the media timeout. The Anteaters would counter with a large scoring run to trim the lead down to six points, but the Lancers were able to finish off UCI on the hand of an Eleftheria Baxa kill for the 25-18 set win and a 1-0 lead.
UCI would score the opening four points of the second set as they attempted to avoid the 0-2 hole. The Lancers would climb out of the deficit on the back of a 7-2 run to tie the set up at nine apiece. CBU would eventually lead by as many as four points at 23-19, but UCI would counter with five straight points to get to set points at 24-23. A UCI service error would force the frame into extras, where the Lancers would score four of the five points to win the set 28-26 and take the coveted 2-0 lead.
With their backs against the wall, the Anteaters ensured there would be another set, steadily leading throughout the third set en route to a 25-21 victory. The Lancers would start off the fourth set on a 5-0 run, but that lead would slowly disappear on the back of several Lancer attack errors. With the match tied at 20, UCI would execute a 3-0 run to force a Lancer timeout. CBU came out of the timeout with back-to-back points, but UCI would score the final two points of the period to win it 25-22 and force a decisive fifth set.
UCI would score four of the five points of the frame to garner the early momentum, but the Lancers would swing the momentum back in their favor to eventually lead 11-10. CBU and UCI would go back and forth over the next few points, but the Anteaters would get the final say, scoring the final three points to escape with a 15-13 set victory and a 3-2 match win.
Despite the loss, Maddie Brown would produce one of the best games of her career as a setter, with a season-best 37 assists, 18 digs, 3 kills, and 3.5 blocks. Emery DeJong was equally impressive with a season-high 18 kills on a .244 hitting percentage and would make it a double-double with 11 digs. Nalanie Neal was not far behind DeJong with 17 kills and would also have a double-double with 11 digs. Filippa Botcher and Belle Breuer were stellar on the blocks with a combined eight blocks.
NEXT: The Lancers will remain at home for a pair of contests at Van Dyne Gym beginning with a tilt against Cal State Bakersfield on Friday, October 9.
