California Baptist University
University of New Mexico
WVB Preview: CBU Heads to the Land of Enchantment for a Two-Game Opening Weekend
8/26/2026 9:34:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
RIVERSIDE--- The California Baptist University volleyball team will open up its season this weekend as they travel to New Mexico to take on the UNM Lobos and the New Mexico State Aggies in non-conference action.
The games will be the first of the new Big West era for the Lancers and will be played on Friday, August 28, and Saturday, August 29, in the Land of Enchantment. CBU was picked ninth in the Big West Preseason Coaches' poll and will look to start their new era 2-0 this weekend.
The first matchup of the trip will be in Albuquerque, as CBU faces the University of New Mexico at The Pit Powered by Nusenda. This will be the second matchup in as many seasons with the Lobos, as the Lancers defeated UNM last season in Riverside during The Joust Tournament in four sets at Van Dyne Gym. The win over the Lobos was their first over a Mountain West opponent since 2023. The Lobos were picked last in the Mountain West preseason poll after finishing last season 13-16.
The second matchup of the weekend will be against the New Mexico State Aggies in Las Cruces. The Lancers and Aggies have plenty of history together as they were conference opponents from 2018 to 2022. The Aggies hold a 7-3 series edge, with the last matchup taking place in October of 2022. CBU's last victory in Las Cruces was in October of 2021 when it bested the Aggies in four sets. The Aggies were picked third in the Conference USA preseason poll and will be led by outside hitter Maggie Lightheart, who led the Aggies with 355 kills last season.
The Lancers will enter the weekend with a very new roster that features 11 newcomers. CBU will be led by Emery DeJong, who is coming off a breakout season in 2025. Emery led the Lancers and Western Athletic Conference last season with 330 kills and also finished first on the team with aces with 29. DeJong was named to the All-WAC First Team and was an All-Tournament selection at the Ridge Invitational and Mission Classic. Emery is one of 41 players in NCAA DI with at least 300 kills to return to her team from last season, and one of three players in the Big West to do so.
MATCHUP INFO:
CBU at New Mexico:
DATE/TIME: Aug. 28 @5:30 PM PT
LOCATION: Albuquerque, NM- The Pit Powered by Nusenda
WATCH: Mountain West+ ($)
CBU at New Mexico State:
DATE/TIME: Aug. 29 @5 PM PT
LOCATION: Las Cruces, NM- Pan American Center
