Wednesday, January 21
Northridge, Calif.
6:00 PM
California State University at Northridge
5-1,0-0Big West
3
vs
0
Long Island
1-2,0-0NEC
1
2
3
F
LIU
22
17
20
0
CSUN
25
25
25
3
Photo by: Chuck Marvel
No. 16 CSUN Sweeps LIU to Open 2026 Home Season
1/21/2026 7:50:00 PM | Men's Volleyball
NORTHRIDGE, Calif. — Jalen Phillips and Jordan Lucas combined for 22 kills to lead No. 16 CSUN to a straight-set victory over LIU on Tuesday night, as the Matadors rolled to a 25-22, 25-17, 25-20 non-conference win at Premier America Credit Union Arena.
CSUN (5-1) was sharp from the opening serve, hitting .463 as a team while piling up 46 kills and 45 assists. Phillips led all hitters in the match with 12 kills on 22 swings (.455), while Lucas added 10 kills on 22 attacks (.444). Sophomore Joao Avila added eight kills (.235), five digs, and one ace and redshirt freshman Grayson Albers chipped in six kills on eight errorless swings to hit .750.
Setter Owen Douphner directed the offense with 32 assists and also contributed five kills on six swings to hit .833. Douphner and Lucas each had a pair of blocks as the Matadors controlled the net with five total team blocks. CSUN posted sideout rates of 86 percent or better in the first two sets. The Matadors broke open the match late in the second set with a 7-2 run to expand on a 15-10 lead.
LIU (1-2) was led by Ike Vernon, who finished with 11 kills, but the Sharks were held to a .222 hitting percentage and struggled to slow CSUN's balanced attack. The Matadors closed the match by scoring four of the final five points in the third set, capped by a service ace from Boaz Serson on match point.
CSUN outscored LIU 57-33.5 overall and finished with six service aces in the match, two from Lucas.
HEAD COACH THEO EDWARDS SAID
"I thought we got off to a little bit of a slow start for sure. LIU is a team we haven't played yet, and for the home opener there were some nerves but I thought we settled in nicely. Owen (Douphner) has worked incredibly hard at fine-tuning his offense and getting these guys going; he made a difference for us tonight.
"It was phenomenal playing at home for the first time this season. We practice here, and we know this gym well. The five road matches were tough, and they tested us and taught us some new lessons that we got to bring in here tonight."
UP NEXT
CSUN continues its three-match homestand next Monday, Jan. 26 as the Matadors host Fort Valley State at 6 p.m. inside Premier America Credit Union Arena. The match will stream live on ESPN+.
#GoMatadors
CSUN (5-1) was sharp from the opening serve, hitting .463 as a team while piling up 46 kills and 45 assists. Phillips led all hitters in the match with 12 kills on 22 swings (.455), while Lucas added 10 kills on 22 attacks (.444). Sophomore Joao Avila added eight kills (.235), five digs, and one ace and redshirt freshman Grayson Albers chipped in six kills on eight errorless swings to hit .750.
Setter Owen Douphner directed the offense with 32 assists and also contributed five kills on six swings to hit .833. Douphner and Lucas each had a pair of blocks as the Matadors controlled the net with five total team blocks. CSUN posted sideout rates of 86 percent or better in the first two sets. The Matadors broke open the match late in the second set with a 7-2 run to expand on a 15-10 lead.
LIU (1-2) was led by Ike Vernon, who finished with 11 kills, but the Sharks were held to a .222 hitting percentage and struggled to slow CSUN's balanced attack. The Matadors closed the match by scoring four of the final five points in the third set, capped by a service ace from Boaz Serson on match point.
CSUN outscored LIU 57-33.5 overall and finished with six service aces in the match, two from Lucas.
HEAD COACH THEO EDWARDS SAID
"I thought we got off to a little bit of a slow start for sure. LIU is a team we haven't played yet, and for the home opener there were some nerves but I thought we settled in nicely. Owen (Douphner) has worked incredibly hard at fine-tuning his offense and getting these guys going; he made a difference for us tonight.
"It was phenomenal playing at home for the first time this season. We practice here, and we know this gym well. The five road matches were tough, and they tested us and taught us some new lessons that we got to bring in here tonight."
UP NEXT
CSUN continues its three-match homestand next Monday, Jan. 26 as the Matadors host Fort Valley State at 6 p.m. inside Premier America Credit Union Arena. The match will stream live on ESPN+.
#GoMatadors
Team Stats
LIU
CSUN
Kills
29
46
Errors
13
9
Attempts
72
80
Hitting %
.222
.463
Points
33.5
57.0
Assists
28
45
Aces
2
6
Blocks
2.5
5
Game Leaders
Kills
12
Aces
1
Blocks
1
Kills
10
Aces
2
Blocks
2
Kills
8
Aces
1
Blocks
0
Kills
6
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Players Mentioned
OH
/ Men's Volleyball
OH
/ Men's Volleyball
S
/ Men's VolleyballOH
/ Men's Volleyball
OPP
/ Men's Volleyball
OH
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