California State University Northridge Athletics
California State University at Northridge
4-7,0-1Big West
UC Santa Barbara
5-7,1-0Big West
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CSUN | 25 | 18 | 21 | 24 | 1 |
| UC Santa Barbara | 15 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 3 |
CSUN Falls in Four Sets at UC Santa Barbara in Big West Opener
9/25/2026 9:30:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
GOLETA, Calif. — Senior middle Tatiana Turgeon connected for a career-high 11 kills but CSUN could not hold on after claiming the opening set as host UC Santa Barbara claimed the Big West opener in four sets on Friday at The Thunderdome.
The Gauchos (5-7, 1-0 Big West) rallied after dropping the opening set to defeat CSUN (4-7, 0-1 Big West) by the score of 15-25, 25-18, 25-21, 26-24.
Turgeon, who's previous career-high was 10 kills, led the Matadors with 11 kills while hitting .450 on a season-high 20 swings. The senior from Las Vegas also added four blocks including one solo. Senior Hailey Brockway added nine kills (.103), five digs, and three blocks while Fallyn Blotzer chipped in seven kills, seven digs, and a season-high four aces.
Senior libero Paige Sentes scooped up a team-high 12 digs to move her career total to 1,390. Sentes is now 66 digs away from the CSUN program record in career digs. Senior setter Katie Kolar posted 22 assists and three dings in the loss. The Gauchos wound up out-hitting the Matadors .223 to .198, but CSUN, the top blocking team in the Big West, posted a 9-8 edge in team blocks.
HOW IT HAPPENED
CSUN controlled the first set, overcoming an early 2-1 deficit by using a 17-5 run to open up an 18-7 lead following a kill by Iye Okolo. The Matadors extended the advantage behind strong serving from Sentes and closed out the set 25-15.
#CSUN hits .212 to UCSB's .031 in the opening set and takes it 25-15#GoMatadors pic.twitter.com/l8g5446yiG
— CSUN Women's Volleyball (@csunwomensvb) September 26, 2026
UCSB answered in the second set, taking an 8-7 lead and pulling away late. The Gauchos hit .357 in the set and evened the match with a 25-18 win.
The third set featured 11 ties and four lead changes. CSUN held a 19-18 lead before UCSB finished on a 7-2 run to win 25-21 and open up a two sets to one lead.
The Matadors pushed the Gauchos to the limit in the fourth set, which included six ties and three lead changes. CSUN led 23-22 following Turgeon's 11th kills, but UCSB scored three of the final four points to secure the 26-24 victory.
The Gauchos were led by Gabi Martinez, who had 17 kills (.250), while Ava Zamora posted 21 assists and four aces.
UP NEXT
The Matadors continue the Big West opening week with a Saturday match in San Luis Obispo. CSUN and Cal Poly are schedule for a 4 p.m. first serve, the match will stream live on ESPN+.
#GoMatadors
