Volleyball Bounces Back With Win Against CSUN

NORTHRIDGE, Calif. — Opposite hitter Jennifer Hamson led the BYU women’s volleyball team to a 3-1 (25-15, 25-22, 16-25, 25-17) win against Cal State Northridge Saturday to close out pre-league competition.

“We’re excited to get back on the winning side of things,” BYU head coach Shawn Olmstead said. “Northridge played a great match. They were a good opponent. It’s great to be down here and play this match before heading into West Coast Conference play.”

Hamson threw down 16 kills and 13 digs for her second double-double of the weekend and fifth of the season. Setter Heather Hannemann had 34 assists and seven digs, while libero Kendalyn Hartsock tied her career high of 25 digs. Outside hitter Christie Carpenter had eight kills and 10 digs.

BYU (11-3) took the lead from the start of the first set, not allowing any ties or lead changes. After slowly building their lead through the game, the Cougars went on an 8-0 run to increase the score to 23-12. The Matadors (6-6) got in three more points before Carpenter finished the 25-15 set on a kill.

An early lead didn’t give the Matadors an advantage in the second. Hamson tied the set on a kill, assisted by Hannemann, and CSUN errors pushed the Cougars to the front. Matador blocking frustrated BYU, but wasn’t enough to stop the Cougars from charging to another set win, 25-22.

BYU faced a small setback in the third set, as a quick 4-1 Matador streak broke the Cougars’ momentum. Four straight attack errors from CSUN put BYU back within one point, but the Matadors fought back for a 13-8 lead. BYU couldn’t get back in the game, allowing a 25-16 Matador win on a kill by Mahina Haina.

Six ties and three lead changes kicked off the final set, with the Cougars coming out of the brawl on top and launching an 8-1 attack. Hamson fueled the run with two kills and Warner and Carpenter contributed two blocks, ending with a score of 16-8. The Matadors never recovered and Warner wrapped up the set and the match with a kill.

The Cougars open conference play Thursday against Saint Mary’s at 7 p.m. at the Smith Fieldhouse. The Gaels won 3-0 in the first matchup between the teams during the BYU Invitational in August, but after a nine-match win streak and only one loss since playing SMC, the Cougars are ready for the rematch.

BYU vs. CSUN Box Score