California Baptist University
3-10,0-2Big West
Utah Valley University
4-10,2-0Big West
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California Baptist | 25 | 25 | 19 | 16 | 6 | 2 |
| Utah Valley | 19 | 22 | 25 | 25 | 15 | 3 |
CBU Suffers Five-Set Heartbreaker in Orem
9/26/2026 3:40:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
OREM, UT--- The California Baptist University women's volleyball team came up short on the road on Saturday afternoon as they battled their old conference foe, Utah Valley, to a five-set result in Orem.
CBU drops to 3-10 while the Wolverines improve to 4-10 and 2-0 in conference action.
The Lancers took advantage of numerous Utah Valley errors in the opening set as they would take the lead early and hold it for the entirety of the frame. UVU got within one point at 18-17, but the Lancers would finish the set on a 7-2 run, highlighted by a kill at the net by Maria Contreras to finalize the 25-19 set victory for CBU. The second set was back and forth with four lead changes happening over the first 18 points. CBU would go on a critical 4-0 run to break the match open a little, but the Wolverines kept close contact through most of the frame. CBU would lead 23-21 before scoring two of the final three points to claim the 2-0 set lead.
The momentum began to shift in the third period as the Wolverines looked to avoid getting swept at Lockhart Arena. A 9-1 mid-set run by the Wolverines would be the catalyst for Utah Valley as they would off the Lancers for the 25-19 set victory to force a fourth frame. Set #4 was the most lopsided until that point, as UCU jumped out to an early 7-1 lead that would eventually become a 25-16 win, forcing a fifth set.
With momentum thoroughly shifted, the Wolverines would score the opening point of the frame before CBU responded with three of the next four. The Lancers took the lead at 5-4 on a Nalanie Neal kill before Utah Valley ripped off eight straight points to all but wrap up the win. The Lancers would score only one more point off a UVU service error as the Wolverines came all the way back for the reverse sweep.
"Another learning experience for us today," remarked Head Coach Trevor Johnson. "I was really proud of our first two sets, and while it was not the result we wanted, we did do some really nice things. We are excited about being back at home for the next couple of weeks and are more excited about the Events Center match on Thursday."
Despite the loss, freshman Nalanie Neal recorded her third 20+ kills game of the season with 22 kills. Eleftheria Baxa turned in another efficient game on the outside with 17 kills on 34 attacks and would also post three blocks. Avery Barber would have 31 assists as the starting setter, while Maria Contreras had a season-best 12 assists and a pair of blocks.
NEXT: CBU will return home on Thursday, October 1, to host UCSD at the Fowler Events Center to begin a four-game conference homestand in Riverside.
