CSUN Matadors Shine in Malibu Invitational with Impressive Performance
The CSUN Matadors made waves at the Malibu Invitational hosted by Pepperdine, securing a pair of victories to even their season record at 7-7. Their success involved overcoming adversity in a nail-biting 3-2 win over the UTEP Miners, followed by a dominant 5-0 sweep against Morehead State.
A Tale of Two Battles
Comeback Victory Against UTEP
The day kicked off with a challenging match against the UTEP Miners. The Matadors found themselves down 0-2, but their resilience and determination shone through. The turning point came with a decisive win by Dylan Hall and Hannah Heflin in the No. 5 pair, securing their fourth win of the season with a 21-15, 21-19 victory. The No. 1 pair, Tasha Mae and Kinley Lindhardt, further pushed CSUN’s momentum with a 24-22, 21-15 win over Krisa Paegle and Paulina Acuna. Finally, Tia Mendiola and Julia Bazylevych clinched the comeback with a commanding sweep (21-16, 21-17) in the No. 3 pair.
Key Match Details
- Crucial Pair Win: Dylan Hall and Hannah Heflin dominated the No. 5 pair, sweeping Kennedy Llewellyn and Averie Three 21-15, 21-19.
- Game Changer: Tasha Mae and Kinley Lindhardt evened the score with a hard-fought 24-22, 21-15 victory over Paegle and Acuna.
- Match-Winning Moment: Tia Mendiola and Julia Bazylevych closed the game with a 21-16, 21-17 sweep against UTEP’s No. 3 pair.
Dominant Victory Over Morehead State
Following their comeback victory, the Matadors faced Morehead State Eagles for the first time. They shut down the Eagles with a flawless 5-0 performance. Haley Coggins and Ainsley Patrick opened the scoring with a 21-15, 21-15 win over M.E. Hargan and Sydney Wyman. The No. 4 pair of Maleya Miles and Layla Cederlind maintained the momentum with a 21-14, 21-17 win over Breena Bommer and Shea Hefner.
Key Match Details
- Sweeping Victory: Coggins and Patrick secured their return to the win column with a 21-15, 21-15 victory in the No. 2 pair.
- Top Performers: Tasha Mae and Kinley Lindhardt tied for the team lead with seven wins, crushing Irene Wogenstahl and Bella Martota 21-10, 21-9 in the No. 1 pair.
- Dominator Pair: Dylan Hall and Hannah Heflin improved to 5-0 with a 21-13, 22-20 win over Amelia Nott and Courtney Fitzgerald in the No. 5 pair.
Coach’s Perspective
Coach Ari Homayun expressed pride in his team’s resiliency. "A 3-2 win after starting down 0-2 can always be tricky, but I’m proud of the girls for stepping up. We didn’t play perfect volleyball today, but wins are wins, and that’s what counts. We need to sharpen up for the upcoming matches."
What Lies Ahead
The Matadors return home next to host tri-duals at the CSUN Beach Volleyball Complex, facing FIU and Colorado Mesa on Tuesday and The Master’s University and Nebraska on Wednesday.
Upcoming Schedule
- Tuesday March 18-19: Tri-duals featuring matches against FIU, Colorado Mesa, The Master’s University, and Nebraska.
Did You Know?
The CSUN Matadors’ current head coach, Ari Homayun, led the team to unprecedented success, making him one of the most respected coaches in the region.
Key Season Record
- Season Record: 7-7
- UTEP Match Record: 3-2
- Morehead State Match Record: 5-0
- Win Streak: Three-Match Win
Pro Tip
Building team chemistry through off-court development activities can greatly enhance on-court performance, as shown by the Matadors’ strong team play in their victories.
FAQ Section
How did the Matadors start their day at the Malibu Invitational?
The Matadors faced a tough 0-2 deficit against UTEP but came back to win 3-2, showcasing their resilience and teamwork.
Who were the standout performers for the Matadors against UTEP?
Dylan Hall and Hannah Heflin secured a crucial No. 5 pair win, while Tasha Mae and Kinley Lindhardt, and Tia Mendiola and Julia Bazylevych clinched the comeback.
What was the outcome of the match against Morehead State?
CSUN dominated with a 5-0 win, the first time they faced Morehead State, led by strong performances from Tasha Mae, Kinley Lindhardt, and Dylan Hall.
Table: CSUN vs. UTEP/B Morehead State
| Match | Pair | CSUN Team | Opponent | Sets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UTEP | 1 | Mae/Lindhardt | Paelge/Acuna | 24-22, 21-15 |
| UTEP | 2 | Hill/Uskovic | Coggins/Patrick | 21-16, 23-21 |
| UTEP | 3 | Mendiola/Bazylevych | Ovalle/Popvic | 21-16, 21-17 |
| UTEP | 4 | Schubert/Perry | Miles/Cederlind | 21-17, 18-21, 15-10 |
| UTEP | 5 | Hall/Heflin | Llewellyn/Threet | 21-15, 21-19 |
| MSU | 1 | Mae/Lindhardt | Wogenstahl/Marita | 21-10, 21-9 |
| MSU | 2 | Coggins/Patrick | Hargan/Wyman | 21-15, 21-15 |
| MSU | 3 | Mendiola/Bazylevych | Heath/Peightton | 21-18, 22-24, 16-14 |
| MSU | 4 | Miles/Cederlind | Bommer/Hefner | 21-14, 21-17 |
| MSU | 5 | Hall/Heflin | Nott/Fitzgerald | 21-13, 22-20 |
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