CSUB 0 | Cal Poly 3

• The Cal State Bakersfield women's volleyball team opened their weekend of Big West play with a tough match against the Cal Poly Mustangs. Cal Poly, one of the most dominant teams in the conference, came into the match looking to extend their winning streak, and they did just that, sweeping the Roadrunners 3-0.
• Bakersfield showed some early promise in the first set, managing to put up 20 points and registering nine kills. However, despite their efforts, they were no match for Cal Poly's powerful offense, which posted 18 kills in the opening set. The Mustangs quickly established their dominance, and the Roadrunners were unable to keep pace.
• Throughout the match, CSUB struggled with a total of 15 errors, which compounded their difficulties and gave Cal Poly even more opportunities to capitalize. Sydney Dunning was the standout performer for Bakersfield, leading the team with six kills. However, despite her efforts, the Roadrunners couldn't find their rhythm, and Cal Poly sealed the match with a straight-set victory. The Mustangs' impressive defensive play and offensive firepower proved too much for CSUB to handle.

CSUB 0 | UCSB 3

• The following day, Bakersfield faced another challenging opponent in the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos. UCSB, currently ranked just ahead of CSUB in the Big West standings, entered the match with a strong record and continued their winning ways, sweeping the Roadrunners 3-0.
• Bakersfield showed improvement from their first match against Cal Poly, but they still had a tough time overcoming UCSB’s all-around solid play. The first set was competitive, but the Roadrunners fell 18-25 after a back-and-forth battle. In the second set, CSUB fought even harder, pushing UCSB to the limit but ultimately losing by just three points, 22-25. Despite the close scoreline in both sets, the Gauchos proved to be too much for the Roadrunners in the third, taking the match 3-0.
• Sydney Dunning had an improved performance from the previous match, finishing with 11 kills, an ace, and several key rallies for the Roadrunners. Samia Bhakta also played a pivotal role in the match, registering seven kills, three blocks, and five digs. Bhakta's contributions in both the front and back row were crucial for Bakersfield, but the Gauchos' consistency and depth ultimately earned them the win.
• While the Roadrunners were unable to get the victory, they showed significant progress compared to their match against Cal Poly, with improved individual performances and a more cohesive team effort. UCSB’s overall offensive efficiency, along with their strong blocking and defensive play, made it difficult for CSUB to break through.

Bakersfield will now regroup and look to refine their game as they prepare for the next set of challenges in Big West play. With a mixture of seasoned players and younger talent, the team remains optimistic that they can build on the lessons learned in these tough losses and improve as the season progresses.

As the Roadrunners return home for their upcoming matches, they will focus on reducing errors, improving their offensive flow, and continuing to develop chemistry on the court. With the right adjustments, Bakersfield hopes to bounce back and start to string together some wins in the competitive Big West conference.

• The Cal State Bakersfield women’s soccer team wrapped up an outstanding season with a magical run to the Big West Championship Game.
• The Roadrunners established several new benchmarks for success:
  • The women’s soccer team is the first across all of CSUB Athletics to reach the league’s Championship Game since joining the Big West in 2020.
  • This squad also earned its first-ever berth into the Big West Championship, returning to the postseason for the first time since 2019.
  • Bakersfield posted a new program record with six shutouts on the season.
• The `Runners played a rigorous non-conference schedule to be ready for Big West play, including road trips to #17 Texas, Cal, UNLV, and Fresno State.
• Second-year Head Coach Bernardo Silva preached a “New Bakersfield” all season long and his squad proved they were up to the billing.
• CSUB will take huge momentum into an offseason in which Silva has the opportunity to continue growing and establish the `Runners as a regular power in The Big West. 
• For a recap of the Big West Women’s Soccer Championship Game, click here.

• The Cal State Bakersfield men's soccer team wrapped up the regular season tied for third place in the Big West standings after the preseason coaches’ poll predicted the Roadrunners to finish tied for last.
• The `Runners were three minutes away from a tie at Cal Poly on Saturday night, which would have made CSUB the Big West Regular Season Champions, but the Mustangs foiled Bakersfield’s plans.
• Two-time Big West Offensive Player of the Week Connor Mautino tallied 11 goals on the season and ranked Top 20 in the country in goals per game (0.69).
  • Mautino became the first `Runner to tally double-digit goals in a single season in the last decade (12, Julian Zamora, 2014).
• After missing out on the 2023 Big West Championship by one point, the `Runners returned to postseason play with a road matchup against fourth-seeded UC Davis.

CSUB 1, UC Davis 2

• Cal State Bakersfield battled UC Davis, answering back with swift punches, but the host Aggies eliminated the `Runners from the Big West Championship.
• After a physical first half, the two teams went to the halftime break with a scoreless tie.
• In the 70th minute, Davis took a 1-0 lead on a goal from Zachary Neuls goal.
• Bakersfield responded less than 90 seconds later, earning a penalty kick opportunity that senior captain Bryson Hankins buried for the equalizer.
• In the 84th minute, the Aggies converted the game-winning goal before holding off the `Runners over the final several minutes.
• Schedule & Links
• Tickets Link

• Women’s Golf Wrapped Up the Fall Season in the CSUN Dual-Match at Sandpiper GC.
• Iris Han led the charge for the Roadrunners finishing 3-over on the day, which was good for being tied for second place in the standings.
• Freshman Anna Kehrer finished tied for fourth place with a score of 6-over.
• Coach Katy Baxter and her team had an impressive fall breaking several records nearly every tournament.
• Baxter and her team will regroup and look to continue taking big strides as they come into the spring season.
• Bakersfield will start the next slate of their season on February 7 as they play in the UCR Soboba Spring Classic.

• The Cal State Bakersfield swim and dives teams hosted their first dual meets of the year on Saturday at the Hillman Aquatic Center.
• The Roadrunner men hosted Fresno Pacific while CSUB’s women battled their counterparts from both Fresno State and Fresno Pacific.
• Bakersfield has already earned Big West Athlete of the Week three teams this season, including a men’s and women’s sweep last week courtesy of Arthur Amaral Schneider and Lorena Jerebic.
• CSUB will rest and suit up for the Utah Tech Invite, Nov. 21-23, in St. George, Utah.
  • While all of the `Runners will compete in Utah, a small group have their training aimed at peaking at the US Open at the start of December.

CSUB vs. Fresno State & Fresno Pacific

• Bakersfield’s men dominated FPU 218-74.
• The `Runner women followed suit against FPU (217-57) while the visiting Bulldogs defeated CSUB (193.5-95.5).
• Junior Will Kainen looked sharp on Saturday, earning victories in the 100 breaststroke, 200 breaststroke, and 400 medley relay
• Freshman Lucas McKee helped the CSUB quartet win the 400 medley relay while also tallying a win in the 200 butterfly.
• Reigning conference Swimmer of the Year Vili Sivec tallied four wins against FPU, dominating the 100 fly, 100 freestyle, and 200 free before helping the CSUB 200 free relay team to a victory.
• On the women’s side, the `Runners were led by seniors Jessica Franco and Danielle Albright.
• Franco finished either first or second in three races, winning the 500 free and placing second in the 200 free and 200 individual medley.
• Albright posted a trio of Top 3 finishes, winning the 200 IM, placing second in the 100 breast, and helping CSUB finish third in the 400 medley relay.
• Schedule & Links

CSUB 73, Cal 86

• Jemel Jones led the Runners in scoring with 22 points and adding five rebounds and four assists to his final stat line.
• Corey Stephenson and Marvin McGhee III also scored in double-digits.
• Shakir Odunewu was just one point away from recording a double double in his CSUB debut.
• Bakersfield was able to cut the lead to eight points in the second half, but couldn’t complete the comeback.

CSUB 122, Bethesda 53

• CSUB got in the win column for the first time this season with a historic victory over the Lion Angels
• The Roadrunners scored 122 points on Monday, which was the most points ever scored in a single game in program history.
• Six different `Runners finished with double-digits (Jemel Jones, CJ Hardy, Corey Stephenson, Jaden Alexander, and Shakir Odunewu).
  • Bakersfield shot 82% from the free throw line which was a 22% increase from their stat line at California.

• The Cal State Bakersfield women’s basketball team kicked off their season with a tough road trip last Monday, facing off against Grand Canyon University (GCU), followed by a challenging home debut against Colgate, a team that had recently qualified for the second round of the WNIT.

 CSUB 52, Grand Canyon 93

• Bakersfield’s season opener took place on the road in Phoenix, where they squared off against an old Western Athletic Conference (WAC) rival, GCU.
• The Roadrunners had a rough start to the game, as early nerves seemed to get the best of them. Graduate student and team captain Melissa Secchiaroli emerged as one of the standout performers for CSUB, contributing 8 points.
• Taylor Caldwell, another key player for the 'Runners, led the team with 12 points, 3 steals, and 5 rebounds.
• The first half of the game was particularly challenging for Bakersfield, with the Roadrunners only managing to score 18 points while GCU surged ahead with 45. However, the team showed some improvement in the third quarter, putting up their best offensive performance of the game with 17 points.
• Despite their efforts, it wasn’t enough to close the gap, and GCU finished the game with a dominant 93-52 victory. This loss marked the first time in over three years that GCU had defeated CSUB.

CSUB 42, Colgate 71

• After their tough opener, the Roadrunners returned home with hopes of turning things around in their debut at the Icardo Center against Colgate.
• Despite being on familiar turf, the team faced another uphill battle, struggling with nerves and finding themselves in a tough contest with the visiting Patriots.
• Bakersfield had a slow start, managing just 13 points in the first quarter and only 5 points in the second. As a result, they went into halftime trailing Colgate by a significant margin.
• The second half didn’t start much better for the Roadrunners, who again struggled offensively, scoring just 13 points.
• Despite the team's overall difficulties, Ary Dizon, one of the team captains, had a strong performance, finishing with 9 points, a steal, a block, and 6 rebounds.
• While Bakersfield’s effort wasn't enough to overcome Colgate, who won the game 71-42, the team showed glimpses of potential and will look to build on these experiences as they head out on the road for their next two games.