California State University at Northridge
Mercer University
CSUN Tops Cal State Bakersfield to Split Mid-Week Tri-Dual
3/5/2025 5:22:00 PM | Beach Volleyball
NORTHRIDGE, Calif. - The CSUN beach volleyball team (3-5) defeated Big West rival Cal State Bakersfield to conclude a mid-week tri-dual in a steady rain Wednesday at the CSUN Beach Volleyball Complex.
MERCER 4, CSUN 1
The Matadors opened the day against the Bears in the first-ever meeting between the two schools. Mercer picked up the first two points, winning on both the No. 2 and No. 4 courts. The Bears' Jordan Paddock and Kate Hardie defeated Haley Coggins and Dylan Hall on the No. 2 court by the score of 21-17, 21-19 before Nicole O'Mara and Kathryn Corbett swept CSUN's Maleya Miles and Layla Cederlind, 21-18, 21-17. Mercer also claimed the No. 6 pair when Cyleigh Sayler and Maggie Forsyth defeated Tasha Mae and Natalia Brandlin, 17-21, 22-20, 15-8 to complete the opening flight.
Mercer earned its seventh win in nine matches when the No. 1 pair of Lexi Polychrones and Hollis Engel topped Ainsley Patrick and Alyssa Schuhlein, 21-16, 21-17. The Matadors picked up a point in the No. 3 pair when Tia Mendiola and Julia Bazylevych teamed up to take a three-set (21-19, 17-21, 15-4) victory over Sydney Benson and Liv Diaz. The Bears would close out a 4-1 win when Reese Hood and Grace Rathburn held off Hannah Heflin and Sophia Jarosz in the No. 5 pair by the score of 21-19, 18-21, 22-20.
CSUN 3, CAL STATE BAKERSFIELD 2
After Mercer defeated Bakersfield 4-1 in the middle dual, the Matadors defeated the Roadrunners for the third time in the last four matches. Mendiola and Bazylevych got the scoring underway, earning their second win of the day on the No. 4 court. The pair defeated Olivia Ostler and Vianna Garcia in straight sets, 21-19, 21-13. The 'Runners pulled even, taking the No. 2 pair as Ella Erteltova and Vivi Kaelin swept Coggins and Hall, 21-13, 21-14.
In the second flight, Heflin and Jarosz picked up a straight set (21-17, 21-13) win over Brooklyn Thomas and Bailey Combs in the No. 5 pair to put the hosts up 2-1. Patrick and Kinley Lindhardt then clinched the win with a 21-19, 21-11 victory over Olivia Silacci-Jensen and Paola Caten at No. 1. Bakersfield made the final 3-2 when Sarah Martin and Katey Milne held off Miles and Cederlind in three sets, 22-20, 13-21, 15-13.Â
HEAD COACH ARI HOMAYUNÂ SAID
"An awesome opportunity to host Mercer here in Northridge for the first time. A tough loss, and we had plenty of opportunities. They were the better ball control team. They had better shot selection. I think we are super similar in talent and level of play, but Mercer was playing better overall volleyball. It was awesome to turn the page and be able to come out on top against our local rivals. CSUB is always a challenge, and it's always incredibly competitive between our two programs. I believe that's our first of five match ups for the season so off to a good start. We definitely got tougher today having to play in the wet and cold, and it was awesome that we had girls step up for each other while some of our starters are a little sick and injured. A huge weekend coming up, so getting dry and getting some rest to be at our best on Friday."
UP NEXT
The Matadors continue a busy week of home matches on Friday, welcoming Utah and Concordia to the CSUN Beach Complex. The first dual between the Matadors and Utes is scheduled for 9 a.m.
MERCERÂ 4, CSUN 1
1. - Lexi Polychrones/Hollis Engel (MU) def. Ainsley Patrick/Alyssa Schuhlein (CSUN), 21-16, 21-17
2. - Jordan Paddock/Kate Hardie (MU) def. Haley Coggins/Dylan Hall (CSUN), 21-17, 21-19
3. - Tia Mendiola/Julia Bazylevych (CSUN) def. Sydney Benson/Liv Diaz (MU), 21-19, 17-21, 15-4
4. - Nicole O'Mara/Kathryn Corbett (MU) def. Maleya Miles/Layla Cederlind (CSUN), 21-18, 21-17
5. - Reese Hood/Grace Rathburn (MU) def. Hannah Heflin/Sophia Jarosz (CSUN), 21-19, 18-21, 22-20
Exh. - Cyleigh Sayler/Maggie Forsyth (MU) def. Tasha Mae/Natalia Brandlin (CSUN), 17-21, 22-20, 15-8
1. - Ainsley Patrick/Kinley Lindhardt (CSUN) def. Olivia Silacci-Jenson/Paola Caten (CSUB), 21-17, 20-22, 15-6
2. - Ella Erteltova/Vivi Kaelin (CSUB) def. Haley Coggins/Dylan Hall (CSUN), 21-13, 21-14
3. - Sarah Martin/Katey Milne (CSUB) def. Maleya Miles/Layla Cederlind (CSUN), 22-20, 13-21, 15-13
4. - Tia Mendiola/Julia Bazylevych (CSUN) def. Olivia Ostler/Vianna Garcia (CSUB), 21-19, 21-13
5. - Hannah Heflin/Sophia Jarosz (CSUN) def. Brooklyn Thomas/Bailey Combs (CSUB), 21-17, 21-13
#GoMatadors
