CUI Volleyball Reaches Top 25 After 2017 Gap
Concordia University Irvine women's volleyball breaks a nine-year ranking drought with a Top 25 spot.
Key points
- Concordia University Irvine women's volleyball is ranked No. 25 in the AVCA DII National Poll, their first ranking since 2017.
- Senior outside hitter Kayden Croy was named PacWest Player of the Week after hitting .441 with 32 kills in three sweeps.
- Head coach Eryn Leja-Martin recorded her 250th career win in the victory over Chaminade last Saturday.
The polished hardwood of the Irvine gymnasium still holds the echo of the spike that sealed the third sweep. The ball bounces once, twice, settling into the quiet corner of the court. It is a sound that has not been heard in the national conversation for nine years. The silence is broken by a headline that lands with the weight of a heavy serve. Concordia University Irvine women’s volleyball is back.
The AVCA DII National Poll now places the Golden Eagles at No. 25. This is their first appearance in the rankings since the early weeks of the 2017 season. The climb is steep, but the footing is solid. A 10-2 record anchors the team in the present, while the memory of 2017 fades into the background. The gap between then and now has finally closed.
Dominance Against Hawaii Schools
Last week, the team dismantled three visiting squads from Hawaii. The sweeps came over four days, a relentless display of control. Concordia improved to 4-0 in league play, winning nine of their ten matches in straight sets. The rhythm was unbroken. Opponents found little room to breathe in the Golden Eagle defensive net.
Senior outside hitter Kayden Croy led the charge. She hit .441 with 32 total kills across the three games. Her hands were a blur at the net, blocking six attacks in the win over Hawaii Hilo. The physical toll was invisible, but the impact was loud. Croy is now ranked in the Top 8 in the PacWest for kills per set.
Coach Marks 250th Career Win
Head coach Eryn Leja-Martin collected her 250th career victory on Saturday. The milestone was etched into the score against Chaminade. It includes her time at Vanguard and St. Katherine. Now in her third season at Concordia, she works alongside her sister, assistant coach Alex Leja. The family bond is woven into the team’s fabric.
The team also received PacWest Team of the Week honors. Croy was named the conference Player of the Week. These accolades from Concordia University Irvine Athletics confirm the surge in performance. The recognition is not just a title. It is a validation of the work done in the quiet hours before the lights come on.
Northern California Road Trip Ahead
The home court advantage shifts this week. The Golden Eagles travel to Northern California. They face Jessup on Friday at 5 p.m. The journey continues on Saturday at 2 p.m. against Dominican. The road is long, but the momentum is sharp. The team carries the weight of the ranking with them.
The challenge is not just the distance. It is the expectation. The Top 25 spot raises the bar. Every serve must be precise. Every block must be firm. The memory of 2017 serves as a benchmark, not a destination. The next match is the only thing that matters.
