The California Baptist University women’s volleyball team is set to complete its non-conference schedule at the USF Invitational from September 17 to 19, 2026, in San Francisco, California. Entering the tournament with a 2-5 record, the Lancers continue to navigate injury obstacles.
California Baptist will face Northern Arizona University on September 17 at 6:00 p.m., Texas Southern University on September 18 at 2:30 p.m., and the University of San Francisco on September 19 at noon. Northern Arizona holds a 5-4 record and ranks 18th nationally in digs. Texas Southern is 1-8 and features offensive standouts Lauren Battle and Ava Houston. The matchup against Texas Southern marks CBU’s first meeting with a Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) opponent since 2019. The University of San Francisco, hosting the invitational, has a 5-5 record and ranks among the NCAA’s top 50 teams in kills.
Despite the absence of leading outside hitter Nalanie Neal, sidelined due to a foot injury, key players Emery DeJong, Maddie Brown, and Filippa Botcher have returned to the lineup. California Baptist boasts a strong blocking presence, ranked 34th nationally in total blocks and 42nd in blocks per set (2.55). Middle blockers Daria Chekhovskikh and Bella Breuer anchor the defense, with Chekhovskikh leading the team with 32 total blocks and an average of 1.28 blocks per set, and Breuer contributing 27 blocks and 0.82 per set.
CSB Take
California Baptist University’s women’s volleyball team faces a pivotal conclusion to its non-conference slate, challenged by injuries to key players. The loss of Nalanie Neal will significantly test the team’s offensive depth, but the Lancers’ nationally ranked blocking remains a major strength. The USF Invitational offers a vital opportunity for California Baptist to build team cohesion and gain momentum heading into Big West Conference play.
Source: Original report
