California State University Northridge Athletics
California State University at Northridge
7-3,0-0Big West
Pepperdine
5-2,0-0MPSF
No. 16 CSUN Falls in Straight Sets to No. 6 Pepperdine
2/6/2026 7:54:00 PM | Men's Volleyball
NORTHRIDGE, Calif. — 16th-ranked CSUN struggled to find an offensive rhythm on Friday night and was swept by No. 6 Pepperdine in a non-conference men's volleyball match at Premier America Credit Union Arena.
The Matadors (7-3) fell 25-22, 25-18, 25-10 as the Waves hit .491 as a team and steadily pulled away after a competitive opening set.
CSUN kept pace early, trading points throughout the first set and pulling within 22-21 on a Jalen Phillips kill before Pepperdine closed the set on a 3-1 run. The Waves took control in the second set behind strong serving that forced CSUN out of system, then dominated the third set as the Matadors hit just .050 with six errors.
Phillips led CSUN with 11 kills on a match-high 24 swings to hit .208. Junior Jordan Lucas added seven kills (.333) and two digs, while setter Owen Douphner finished the night with 24 assists and a pair of blocks. The Matadors were limited to a .203 hitting percentage and were out-blocked 8-3 for the match.
Pepperdine was paced by Cole Hartke, who had a match-high 14 kills and hit .667 on 18 attacks. Andrej Polomac dished out 28 assists as the Waves improved to 5-2 on the season.
HEAD COACH THEO EDWARDS SAID
"We stuck with them out of the gate, but I thought Pepperdine did some great things tonight from the service line that ended up being the difference. We will rebound and get back at it next week."
UP NEXT
CSUN returns to Los Angeles next Friday as the Matadors travel to top-ranked UCLA. First serve at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom Financial is scheduled for 7 p.m. The match will stream live on Big10+.
#GoMatadors
