CSUN Beach Volleyball achieved a milestone on Tuesday, earning its first victory over a ranked opponent in program history with a thrilling 3-2 win against No. 19 FIU. The Matadors followed up with a dominant 5-0 sweep of Colorado Mesa at the CSUN Beach Volleyball Complex, extending their winning streak to five—their longest since 2019.
CSUN 3, No. 19 FIU 2
In their first-ever matchup against FIU, the Matadors jumped out to an early lead by winning both matches in the opening flight. On the No. 4 court, Hannah Heflin and Dylan Hall outlasted Aleksandra Chudzik and Heflin’s sister, Hailey, in three sets (21-14, 19-21, 15-11). It marked the first time the Heflin sisters faced each other in competition. Tia Mendiola and Julia Bazylevych then secured a straight-set win at No. 2 (23-21, 21-17) over Maria Fernanda Vinatea Sanchez and Julia Panko, giving CSUN a 2-0 lead.
FIU responded with a victory at No. 1, as Sofie Vogel and Alla Gray defeated Tasha Mae and Kinley Lindhardt (21-11, 21-18), cutting the lead to 2-1. But Maleya Miles and Layla Cederlind sealed the historic win for CSUN with a 21-17, 21-19 victory over Kendra Brown and Zoe Cahill at No. 5. The Panthers claimed the final match at No. 3, where Kiki Drozd and Brianna Luoma edged Haley Coggins and Ainsley Patrick in three sets (21-11, 20-22, 15-9).
CSUN 5, Colorado Mesa 0
CSUN continued its strong play in the afternoon match, sweeping Colorado Mesa to secure its fifth straight win. Heflin and Hall improved to 7-0 this season with a convincing win at No. 4 (21-13, 21-16) over Tayler Scherff and Jessica Passi. Mendiola and Bazylevych followed with their eighth win of the season, taking down Lizzy Hood and Riley Daugherty at No. 2 (21-16, 26-24).
Mae and Lindhardt clinched the dual victory at No. 1 with a 24-22, 21-13 win over Gracyn Spresser and Ellie Ask. Coggins and Patrick added another win at No. 3, defeating Barett Nolan and Ania Swartendruber (21-18, 21-16). Miles and Cederlind completed the sweep with a three-set battle at No. 5 (18-21, 21-16, 15-6) against Izzy Burns and Sofia Kolbe.
Coach Ari Homayun’s Reaction
“Today was an awesome day for our program,” said CSUN head coach Ari Homayun. “Getting our first win over a ranked opponent is massive. More importantly, it gives the girls confidence in the work we’re putting in. I’ve always believed in them, but sometimes seeing the results makes all the difference. Beating Colorado Mesa so decisively after splitting with them last year is another big step forward.”
“I’m especially proud of how they implemented coaching instructions and worked through nerves,” Homayun added. “We’ve talked about being tougher, and they showed that today. Two more big games tomorrow, and I’m looking forward to it.”
Up Next
CSUN hosts a tri-dual against The Master’s University and Nebraska on Wednesday before traveling to San Luis Obispo for the Big West Challenge at Cal Poly this weekend.
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