STOCKTON, Calif. – Pacific will host the four-team Central Cal Challenge with two matches each day, Thursday, Sept. 14 through Saturday, Sept. 16. The event rotates to Pacific this season after an inaugural year in Bakersfield and will feature two matches each day at the Alex G. Spanos Center.
Last year, Pacific won the event with a 3-0 mark, and Fresno State was the runner-up at 2-1. Sacramento State has a 1-2 mark while CSU Bakersfield finished winless.
Central Cal Challenge in the Alex G. Spanos Center
Thursday, Sept. 14 – CSU Bakersfield vs. Sacramento State, 3 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 14 – Pacific hosts Fresno State, 6 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 15 – Sacramento State vs. Fresno State, 3 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 15 – Pacific hosts CSU Bakersfield, 6 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 16 – Fresno State vs. CSU Bakersfield, noon
Saturday, Sept. 16 – Pacific hosts Sacramento State, 3 p.m.
The Tigers enter the home weekend after a 1-2 mark at the Ram Volleyball Classic at Colorado State last week, losing to the hosts and Baylor following a 3-2 win over Bowling Green, the defending Mid-America Conference champions. The loss to Colorado State snapped a five-match win streak for Pacific.
Tiger seniors
Biamba Kabengele and
Alexa Edwards are both averaging more than three kills per set through the first 34 sets.
Jenna Heller (12), Kabengele (11) and
Megan Nishimura (10) are already in double figures in service aces. Nishimura leads the team in digs with 129, followed by Heller, 92, Edwards, 89, and
Darina Kumanova, 66.
Thursday's second contest matches the two programs that finished at the top of this event a year ago, Pacific and Fresno State. The Bulldogs (4-4) picked up two wins over Utah Tech over the weekend to even its record. Last year's contest with Fresno State was the first in the series between the two programs since 2009. The Tigers have won the last three matches in the series.
On Friday, the Tigers will face the Roadrunners. Both Bakersfield and Pacific have 3-0 wins over Eastern Washington this season. The Roadrunners also have a win over Saint Mary's and a loss to Santa Clara. Pacific has won the last six matches in the series with CSU Bakersfield, including last season's 3-2 victory.
Pacific wraps up the Challenge by hosting Sacramento State, the team with the best record so far this season. Both teams beat Nevada this season. The Hornets have a win over Portland and a loss to Saint Mary's. The Tigers have won three of the last four in the series, including a 3-0 win last year.
Fans can see both matches on each day by purchasing a ticket to the Pacific match.
Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors (ages 60+) and $5 for youth (ages 5-17). Parking is free for the tournament.
Results of the matches can be found at
Tournament Central. The matches involving Pacific will be televised on ESPN+.
