California State University Northridge’s women’s volleyball team begins its home schedule by hosting the Linda Murphy Ridge Invitational from September 11 to 13 at the Premier America Credit Union Arena in Northridge, California.
The Matadors will play three matches in the invitational: against the UNLV Rebels on Friday at 6 p.m., the San Francisco Dons on Saturday at 5 p.m., and the Fresno State Bulldogs on Sunday at 2 p.m. All matches will stream live on ESPN+ with live statistics available.
CSUN enters the invitational with a 1-4 overall record. The Matadors lead the Big West Conference in digs per set and blocks per set, ranking third nationally in blocks. They have recorded 315 digs over 20 sets this season, averaging 15.75 digs per set and 3.45 blocks per set.
This season-opening invitational honors Linda Murphy, the first head coach of the CSUN women’s volleyball program who passed away in February 2026. Murphy coached the Matadors from 1975 to 1976, leading them to a perfect 10-0 conference record and the Southern California Athletic Association championship in 1976. She was an accomplished volleyball player and coach recognized with numerous accolades including Olympic competition as part of the 1964 USA team and multiple national honors.
Recently, CSUN players Hailey Brockway and Annie Gilmore earned All-Tournament honors at the Wildcat Classic. Senior libero Paige Sentes ranks fourth in program history with 1,283 career digs, while senior setter Katie Kolar holds ninth place in career assists at CSUN.
Following the Linda Murphy Ridge Invitational, CSUN is scheduled to play home-and-home matches against Loyola Marymount University on September 17 and 19.
CSB Take
The Linda Murphy Ridge Invitational symbolizes a meaningful homecoming for CSUN women’s volleyball by celebrating the sport’s foundational coach while providing the team an opportunity to build momentum in the 2026 season. CSUN’s strong defensive statistics indicate a solid base to improve their overall performance. The recognition of key players’ recent and career achievements highlights the team’s potential to advance competitively in the Big West Conference as they honor a significant legacy in CSUN volleyball history.
Source: Original report
