California Baptist University
2-7,0-0Big West
Northern Arizona University
6-4,0-0Big Sky
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Ariz. | 25 | 20 | 25 | 30 | 3 |
| California Baptist | 15 | 25 | 8 | 28 | 1 |
CBU Drops USF Challenge Opener to NAU in Four Sets
9/17/2026 9:22:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
SAN FRANCISCO--- The California Baptist University volleyball team started its USF Challenge run on Thursday evening as it battled the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks to a four-set defeat in San Francisco.
The Lancers fall to 2-7 on the season with two games remaining on their non-conference schedule.
Errors got the Lancers behind early as the Lumberjacks took advantage of several CBU mistakes in the opening frame, as they would win the set by ten points, 25-15, for the 1-0 lead. CBU would respond dominantly as they jumped out to a 12-4 lead on the Lumberjacks in set two. That lead would balloon to 11 points at 23 -12 before NAU would mount a furious comeback that would put a scare in the Lancers. The Lumberjacks rattled off eight straight points before CBU would get kills from Ifeoma Okeke and Audrey Heiring to stave off the comeback and tie the match at one set apiece.
The third set was the most lopsided of the day as the Lumberjacks would get out to a 13-2 start and would never look back as they finished off the Lancers 25-8 for the 2-1 lead. Facing defeat, the Lancers battled hard in the fourth set, overcoming several small deficits to keep themselves alive. The Lancers would take a late 23-21 lead before NAU would score on the next two possessions to force extra points. CBU faced set points five times in extras, but would ultimately come up short to the Lumberjacks 30-28.
Despite the loss, freshman Anaiya Cambpell had the best game of her young career as she would record a career-best 14 kills and 18 digs, which led the Lancers in both categories by a wide margin. Filippa Botcher made the most of her first start of the season with three kills and 4.5 blocks, while Maddie Brown led the team with 29 assists.
NEXT: The Lancers will return to the Sobrato Center tomorrow afternoon as they face Texas Southern at 2:30 PM.
