SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. – The 2026 season got off to a competitive start for the CUI women's volleyball team at the Yotes Classic Showcase beginning with a strong sweep over Saint Martin's in the season opener with scores 25-14, 25-22, and 25-21. CUI carried that momentum into its next match up against Seattle Pacific battling through four sets before ultimately falling short with 25-15, 20-25, 21-25, and 21-25 scores.
Game 1: CUI 3, Saint Martin's 0
The Golden Eagles took control of the match from the opening serve using several scoring runs to build and maintain their lead over the Saints.
Kendyll Winn played a key role in keeping CUI's momentum going from the service line sparking three separate runs throughout the match.
Kayden Croy led the Golden Eagles offensively recording a double-double with 16 kills and 11 digs. Freshman
Livia Eyre made an impressive collegiate debut adding 12 kills and nine digs while making her presence felt at the net with one solo block and five block assists.
Emma Wegleitner also made an impact with eight kills and six digs.
In the middle
Delaney Gregg and
Sarah Guglielmana combined for seven kills while anchoring the Golden Eagles at the net. Each middle blocker recorded four block assists helping CUI limit the Saints' offensive opportunities.
Nevada Knowles orchestrated the offense with 33 assists while adding four kills and seven digs of her own. She also led the team from the service line with two aces. Defensively libero
Halen Kiefer paced the Golden Eagles with nine digs.
Game 2: CUI 1, Seattle Pacific 3
CUI carried the momentum from its first match of the day into the opening set against Seattle Pacific jumping out to an early lead behind a 7–0 run from Knowles. The Golden Eagles continued to control the pace throughout the set never allowing the Hawks to string together more than three consecutive points as CUI secured the opening frame. Seattle Pacific responded in the following three sets earning the 3–1 victory.
Gregg continued to make her presence felt in the middle recording six kills while hitting an impressive .455. Guglielmana was efficient offensively going 3-for-5 without an error to finish with a .600 hitting percentage.
Wegleitner delivered a standout performance at the net recording a career-high 22 kills while hitting .541. Eyre continued her strong start to the season with her second consecutive double-digit kill performance adding 13 kills and six digs.
Sofia Ajmal also contributed two kills.
Defensively Kiefer and Knowles led the Green and Gold from the back row with eight digs a-piece. Knowles continued to direct the Golden Eagles offense with 38 assists while adding five kills and two service aces.
The Golden Eagles will continue play in the Yotes Classic Showcase on Friday Aug. 28 against Cal State LA at 5 p.m.
To see the full CUI women's volleyball schedule click
HERE.
