California State University at Northridge
7-4,0-0Big West
San José State
4-6,0-0Mountain West
CSUN Tops San José State, 3-1 to Claim USF Challenge
9/19/2025 8:29:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — Julia Bazylevych paced the CSUN Women's Volleyball team with 14 kills as the Matadors shook off a slow start to power past San Jose State 3-1 (19-25, 25-20, 25-21, 25-18) Friday night at War Memorial at the Sobrato Center.
CSUN (7-4) closes out a 2-0 Bay Area road trip as the Matadors wrap up the non-conference season with seven wins, its best total since finishing 9-3 in 2014.
Bazylevych was CSUN's leading hitter for the seventh time in 11 matches this season, hitting .122 on 49 swings to go with 10 digs and a pair of aces. Senior Leah Miller added eight kills (.160) and two blocks. Kyleigh Moore chipped in seven kills (.121) and five blocks, while libero Paige Sentes led all players with a match-high 23 digs.
San Jose State (4-6) was led by Devon DeNecochea and Morgan Graves who each had 13 kills.
HOW IT HAPPENED
After dropping the opening set, CSUN found its rhythm in the second, hitting .281 and evening the match. Behind Bazylevych and Miller, the Matadors used a late surge in the third to take control. CSUN closed the match with a dominant fourth set, holding San Jose State to .098 hitting while forcing eight attack errors.
CSUN finished with 44 kills and nine team blocks, while out-hitting San Jose State .175 to .127.
NOTES
- Tatiana Turgeon added five kills and three blocks, and Iye Okolo hit .375 with four kills on eight swings.
- Setters Jan Marie Duhaylungsod and Taylor Dunlap combined for 36 assists and 17 digs.
- CSUN improves to 8-6 all-time against San José State, while snapping a two-match skid to the Spartans.
- The Matadors improve to 6-1 in four-set matches this season.
HEAD COACH AQUILES MONTOYA SAID
"A great win to cap off our non-conference schedule. I'm really proud of our team and how we responded this week. We really tried to build each other up in tough moments. Our team has a lot of depth and experience now, and I can't wait for conference play."
UP NEXT
CSUN, winners of three of its last five, now turns its attention to Big West play as the Matadors travel to San Luis Obispo to take on Cal Poly in their Big West opener next Friday (Sept. 26) at 6 p.m.
#GoMatadors
