`Runners Notch Wright's First Win, Split the Day

Hannah Walker

Game 1
Game 2

Lamar University Lamar 0-1,0-0 Southland

CSU Bakersfield CSUB 1-0,0-0 Big West

Lamar University Lamar

0-1,0-0 Southland

Final

Aug. 28, 2026

CSU Bakersfield CSUB

1-0,0-0 Big West

Set Scores
Team	1	2	3	F
Lamar University Lamar	25	19	21	(0)
CSU Bakersfield CSUB	27	25	25	(3)

CSU Bakersfield CSUB 1-1,0-0 Big West

North Texas UNT 1-0,0-0 American

CSU Bakersfield CSUB

1-1,0-0 Big West

Final

Aug. 28, 2026

North Texas UNT

1-0,0-0 American

Set Scores
Team	1	2	3	4	F
CSU Bakersfield CSUB	28	14	25	20	(1)
North Texas UNT	30	25	20	25	(3)

Game Recap: Women's Volleyball | August 28, 2026

Next Match:

at Abilene Christian

8/29/2026 | 9:00 AM (11:00 AM CT)

ESPN+

Next Match

Full Schedule

Aug. 29 (Sat) / 9:00 AM (11:00 AM CT)

at Abilene Christian

History

Recap
Roster

ABILENE, Texas – Cal State Bakersfield opened the 2026 volleyball season with a straight-set victory over Lamar on Friday before dropping a hard-fought battle against a tough North Texas squad in the evening. Friday afternoon's victory was the first for the Roadrunners under first-year Head Coach Kristen Wright.

Key Facts

Outside hitter Suelen Lima led the `Runners with 3.86 kills per set across the pair of matches, adding 19 digs and 7 blocks in an all-around showing.
Italian freshman Anna Bacchin chipped in 2.14 kills per set in her collegiate debut performances.
Libero Analiese Gagliano paced the `Runners with 4.29 digs per set, while setter Luiza Da Cruz dished out 6.00 assists and 2.29 digs per game.
CSUB outblocked its opponents 17-12 on the day with Yanuk (8) and Lima (7) leading the charge.

CSUB 3, Lamar 0

Da Cruz served two aces as CSUB opened the first set with four straight points, but the frame featured 11 ties. Lamar reached set point leading 24-22 before the `Runners saved two set points and scored three straight to move ahead 25-24. After Lamar tied again, CSUB won the final two rallies to seal the opening set, 27-25.

CSUB never trailed in the second. The `Runners opened 3-0 and later used a 4-0 run to stretch a 13-9 advantage to 17-9. Lamar trimmed the margin to 23-19 late, but CSUB claimed the final two points, clinching the set on a Yanik-Bacchin block.

Lamar built an 11-6 lead in the third before CSUB scored seven of the next nine points to tie the set at 13. The `Runners later led 21-17, but Lamar answered with four straight to draw even. CSUB closed the match with four unanswered points, including a Da Cruz ace and a block by Bacchin and Jordyn Waite-Ward, while Lamar hit .024 with 11 attack errors in the set.

CSUB 1, North Texas 3

Coming off a 2025 season with a 21-9 record, North Texas built a 24-17 lead in the first set, but the `Runners reeled off eight unanswered points. Nele Broszat served the final seven points of the surge, while Lima delivered five kills, turning seven North Texas set points into a 25-24 CSUB lead. After the score reached 28-28, the Mean Green won the final two rallies to clinch the marathon opening set.

North Texas opened the second set with five straight points. CSUB answered with a 5-0 run to trim a 9-2 deficit to 9-7, but the Mean Green later scored six straight to build a 23-12 advantage and went on to win the set.

The third set featured 12 ties and eight lead changes. Trailing 18-16, the `Runners scored six unanswered points to move ahead 22-18. North Texas pulled within two, but CSUB claimed the final three points, including a Gagliano ace and Leylah Duran's set-clinching kill. The `Runners held the Mean Green to -.023 hitting with 10 attack errors in the frame.

CSUB led 9-8 in the fourth before North Texas used a 7-0 run to take control. The `Runners responded with four straight points to cut a 16-10 deficit to 16-14 and later drew within 19-17, but the Mean Green scored six of the final nine points while hitting .344 in the set.

What's Next?

Cal State Bakersfield closes out the ACU Invitational tomorrow against the tournament host: