• The `Runners are headed to the Big West Championship after clinching a postseason berth this past week. Bakersfield will open tournament play with a semifinal rematch against Utah Valley, looking to bounce back after falling 3-2 to the Wolverines in its regular-season finale.
• Bakersfield had its 7-game unbeaten streak snapped in a non-conference road matchup.
• The ‘Runners have netted 23 goals this year, which has long since surpassed last season's goal total (14) as Bakersfield enters playoffs.
• Fourth-year Head Coach Adam Grant welcomed back 15 returners, including 5 starters from the 2025 squad, as roster filled with experience.
  • This year’s Roadrunner squad features 13 newcomers.
• The `Runners benefit from the veteran leadership of men like Zenden Hart and Filip Arras to lead the way. Both were recognized as part of the 11-man Big West Preseason team.
• The CSUB roster features student-athletes from 9 different countries spanning 4 continents: United States, Australia, Germany, England, Mexico, Norway, Switzerland, Canada, and Israel.
• Three `Runners have earned five Big West weekly honors so far this season: Zenden Hart (Defensive, 2x), Filip Arras (Defensive, 2x), and Lorimer Bouman (Rookie).
• The Big West now features seven teams due to a collaborative partnership made with the Pac-12 this summer.

CSUB at Utah Valley 

• Bakersfield will look to keep their postseason run alive, traveling to Utah Valley for a Big West Championship semifinal against the top-seeded Wolverines:
  • Nov. 7, 1 p.m. (PT)
  • Orem, UT / UCCU Stadium
• Bakersfield will face UVU for the 10th time in the all-time series.
  • Utah Valley holds a 6-2-1 advantage all-time against CSUB.
• The `Runners and Wolverines will be rematching just one week apart as CSUB fell 3-2 to Utah Valley on Oct. 31.
  • The `Runners fell 3-2 to Utah Valley in their regular-season finale, with Mpawenayo Jackson and Armon Haghighat each finding the back of the net for Bakersfield.
• The match against UVU will be live streamed on ESPN+ and live stats will be available.
• Schedule & Links

• The `Runners return to the Icardo Center for a two-match homestand, looking at the final stretch of the season with postseason hopes alive and well. 
  • With 6 matches remaining in the regular season, Cal State Bakersfield is currently tied for the sixth and final spot in the Big West Championship 
  • The `Runners have not qualified for postseason since joining The Big West, one of the best mid-major volleyball conferences in the country. 
• First-year Head Coach Kristen Wright has already made her mark on the CSUB Volleyball program and the local volleyball community, bringing high energy and enthusiasm back to her hometown of Bakersfield. 
  • On Sept. 5, Wright notched the 200th win of her collegiate coaching career as Bakersfield defeated previously-undefeated Weber State. 
• Suelen Lima, an outside hitter from Brazil, has been Bakersfield’s leading hitter this season and ranks 9th in The Big West with 3.20 kills per set. 
• On Sept. 21, Suelen Lima and Leylah Duran were named the Big West’s Offensive Player and Rookie of the Week, respectively, following standout performances across a busy week features four matches. 
• Bakersfield’s squad features student-athletes from 5 different countries spanning 4 continents: United States, Brazil, Germany, Italy, and Turkey. 

CSUB vs. UC Riverside 

• The `Runners host the Highlanders to open the weekend: 
  • Nov. 6, 6 p.m. (PT) 
  • Bakersfield, CA / Icardo Center 
  • Youth Volleyball Night & Ref Night/Pom Poms Giveaway 
• Bakersfield will face the Highlanders for the seventy-eighth time in the all-time series. 
  • The all-time series record currently stands at 40-37 with UCR holding a slight advantage. 
• The `Runners earned a five-set road victory over UC Riverside (25-16, 29-27, 18-25, 25-27, 15-4) in their last meeting on Oct. 10. 
  • Suelen Lima and Leylah Duran led Bakersfield with 16 kills apiece, while Luiza Da Cruz paced the offense with 47 assists.  
• UC Riverside enters the week still searching for its first Big West victory of the season, sitting at the bottom of the conference standings. 

CSUB vs. California Baptist 

• The `Runners welcome the Lancers to the Icardo Center, looking to extend their winning streak after sweeping them in their previous meeting: 
  • Nov. 7, 6 p.m. (PT) 
  • Bakersfield, CA / Icardo Center 
  • Hometown Heroes Night 
    • All Military personnel (active, reserve, or veteran) and first responders (fire, police, emergency, etc.) may RSVP for four FREE tickets at GoRunners.com/Heroes 
• Bakersfield will face CBU for the eleventh time in the all-time series. 
  • The all-time series record currently stands at 6-4 with CSUB holding the lead. 
• The `Runners swept California Baptist in straight sets (25-23, 27-25, 25-16) in their last meeting earlier this season in Riverside. 
  • Suelen Lima led Bakersfield with 10 kills, while Ana Benjamin added nine and Leylah Duran contributed eight. Luiza Da Cruz paced the offense with 31 assists. 
• California Baptist enters the weekend ranked 10th in the 12-team Big West standings and holds a 2-7 record in true road matches this season. 
• Both matches against UCR and CBU will be live streamed on ESPN+ and live stats will be available for the match. 
• Schedule & Links 

• The `Runners open the 2026-27 regular season with a two-game homestand at the Icardo Center, beginning Thursday night against Stanton before returning Sunday for the highly anticipated 661 Sellout game. 
• First-year Head Coach Todd Lee has already made a big impact, reuniting his basketball program with the local community. 
  • Lee has made a return to Bakersfield after helping the 1997 squad to a National Championship as an assistant coach. 
• Lee’s 2026-27 roster features an almost entirely new team with fifth-year Jaden Alexander representing the lone returning `Runner. 
• A few `Runner newcomers to look out for: 
  • Bryce Cofield – Cal State Fullerton transfer who averaged 10 points and 5 rebounds per game as a freshman 
  • Kjay Bradley – Univ. Of San Diego transfer who led the Toreros in scoring in 2024-25 
  • Tom Koppens – Played in the NBL (highest level in Australia) for the last 3 seasons 
• Bakersfield’s squad features student-athletes from six different countries – Australia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Italy, England, and USA – while six `Runners hail from right here in the state of California. 
• The Roadrunners closed out their exhibition slate with an offensive explosion, going off for 128 points vs. Redlands in what would have been a school-record scoring performance were it not an exhibition. 

CSUB vs. Stanton 

• The `Runners kick off the 2026-27 regular season Thursday night, welcoming Stanton to the Icardo Center: 
  • Thursday, Nov. 5, 6:30 p.m. (PT) 
  • Bakersfield, CA / Icardo Center 
  • Regular-season opener 
• CSUB and Stanton are set to play each other for the first time in program history. 
• Stanton University joined the NAIA in Spring 2025 and competes in the California Pacific Conference. 
• The Elks are continuing to establish their athletics program, which includes men's and women's basketball and select other sports. 

CSUB vs. North Dakota State 

• The `Runners are set for a special Sunday afternoon at the Icardo Center, as Bakersfield hosts the Bison for the 661 Sellout: 
  • Sunday, Nov. 8, 3:00 p.m. (PT) 
  • Bakersfield, CA / Icardo Center 
  • 661 Sellout / Pregame Light Show / T-Shirt Giveaway 
    • Tickets will go for as low as $6.61 
    • Free t-shirts for the first 661 fans 
    • Free wristbands handed out for Pregame Light Show 
• Bakersfield will face NDSU for the fourth time in the all-time series. 
  • The all-time series record currently stands at 2-1 with the Bison leading. 
• CSUB last faced North Dakota State in 2025, falling 80-69 at the Icardo Center. 
  • Ronald Jessamy led Bakersfield with 18 points on 7-of-11 shooting, while CJ Hardy added 13 points in that clash. 
• Both games against Stanton and North Dakota State will be live streamed on ESPN+ and live stats will be available for the match. 
• Schedule & Links 

• The `Runners return to competition Saturday, traveling to Atherton, Calif., for the annual Menlo Open. 
• The Cal State Bakersfield wrestling team will embark on the 55th season in program history. 
• Head Coach Luke Smith leads the `Runners into his eighth season at the helm. 
  • Smith’s tenure as leader of Cal State Bakersfield is the third-longest in program history, behind only Joe Seay (12 years) and T.J. Kerr (26 years). 
• Smith’s 2026-27 roster features a nice mix of veteran experience and fresh talent. The `Runners will look to returners Hayden Zinkin, Evan Manzo and RJ Jones to lead by example. 
• Cal State Bakersfield brought in a strong group of newcomers, including five transfers from the now-defunct California Baptist program. Just a few `Runner rookies to look out for 
  • Gabriel Schumm (165) – NDSU/CBU transfer, Big 12 placer in 2025-26 
  • Jared Remington (157) – True freshman, 2-time Texas high school State finalist, 1-time State Champion 
  • Caeden Olin (HWT) – Second year transfer from CBU, placed third at Roadrunner Open in 2025-26 

CSUB at Menlo Open 

• CSUB hits the road to the bay to face off against Menlo College in an all day tournament: 
  • Saturday, Nov. 7, All-day 
  • Atherton, CA / Haynes-Prim Pavillion 
• Bakersfield heads to the Menlo Open for the sixth-straight season. 
• Last year in Atherton, true freshman Mikah Labuanan earned first place in the 149-pound weight class. 
• CSUB also enjoyed Top 4 finishes from four other `Runners:  
  • Saxton Scott, 133, third  
  • Caleb McElroy, 133, fourth  
  • Mikey Folch, 149, fourth  
  • Xander Firm, 149, fourth 
• Schedule & Links 

• The `Runners return to the pool for a two-day home meet as well as a Diving Invite at the Hillman Aquatic Center. 
• The Roadrunners are preparing for this weekend, with an entirely new coaching staff led by Head Coach Shane Pelton. 
• Pelton has selected a group of leaders to be captains. This bunch of seniors is comprised of Reed Lucero, CJ Manuel, Josiane Hill, Astrid Medina, and Carolynn Kenney. 
• The CSUB men's team consists of 9 newcomers and 16 veterans, with the women including 7 rookies and 13 returners. 
• Some of the top returners on the men’s side consist of Big West Silver Medalist in the 1650 Free Karsten Eichler, and CSUB Record holders Reed Lucero and Thomas Henstein. 
• On the women’s side, the `Runners are led by CSUB Top 5 All-Time performer Josiane Hill and veteran Carolynn Kenney. 
• Bakersfield looks to keep the season going strong with motivated coaches and student-athletes. 

CSUB vs. Saint Mary’s (Swim only) 

• The `Runners open the two-day home meet Friday, welcoming Saint Mary's to Kern County: 
  • Friday, Nov. 6, 3 p.m. (PT) 
  • Saturday, Nov. 7, 11 a.m. (PT) 
  • Bakersfield, CA / John S. Hillman Memorial Aquatic Center 
• Cal State Bakersfield’s swimmers will feature a unique schedule, including Super Finals with 50-yard sprints in each stroke against each two team’s top performers. 
• The `Runners close out the two-day home meet Saturday morning, celebrating and recognizing the team's senior class during Senior Day. 
  • Saturday’s Senior Day Ceremony is scheduled to begin at roughly 10:40 a.m. (PT) 

CSUB Diving Invite 

• The `Runner divers will welcome a pair of teams to compete: 
  • Friday, Nov. 6, 3 p.m. (PT) 
  • Saturday, Nov. 7, 11 a.m. (PT) 
  • Bakersfield, CA / John S. Hillman Memorial Aquatic Center 
• Hawai’i and Biola will join the `Runners for the three-team competition. 
• Schedule & Links