BOULDER, Colo. — Central Arkansas (0-3) fell to CSUN (1-2) 3-1 in a four-set match in the Sugar Bears' 2026 Buffs Classic finale on Sunday. CSUN won the first two sets 25-19 and 25-16, Central Arkansas took set three 25-21, and the Matadors closed the match with a 25-17 win in set four.
Central Arkansas opened the first set energetically, with
McKinzee Haas and
Ella Chaney each securing early kills, keeping up with CSUN. The teams traded points, with
Sophie Skinner facilitating key plays, including kills by
Nicole Sargent,
Ella Chaney, and Haas. However, CSUN gained momentum midway through the set with a series of kills, leading to a decisive 7-1 scoring run that Central Arkansas could not match. Despite late efforts, including a 5-1 scoring run of their own, the Sugar Bears fell in the first set, 25-19.
Central Arkansas opened the second set with a strong start, taking a lead on a kill by
Sarah Carnathan assisted by Skinner. Haas and Sargent's block contributed to a brief advantage, but CSUN quickly responded with a 14-1 run, capitalizing on attack errors by Central Arkansas. Despite a mid-set rally with kills from Haas, Central Arkansas struggled to maintain momentum as CSUN extended its lead and took a 25-16 set victory.
Central Arkansas seized momentum midway through the third set with a series of blocks by
Karlyn Frazier and Sargent. This sequence allowed Central Arkansas to turn a 17-16 deficit into a 22-18 lead. Skinner's kill from
Cameron McDaniel secured the decisive point, with the Sugar Bears winning the set 25-21.
The Sugar Bears faced a challenging fourth set as CSUN took the early advantage, capitalizing on errors. Despite a strong effort from Haas, who recorded 12 kills in the match, Central Arkansas struggled to maintain momentum. Frazier and
Kennady Martindale contributed key points, briefly narrowing the gap to 14-13 midway through the set. However, CSUN responded strongly, extending its lead through effective plays by Hailey Brockway and Tatiana Turgeon. Central Arkansas attempted to rally with a late push, but a four-point swing for CSUN sealed the set with a 25-17, and a Matador win.
Following the match,
McKinzee Haas was named to the 2026 Buffs Classic All-Tournament Team for her performance on the weekend. Haas tallied 28 kills, hitting .313, with 12 block assists, two service aces, and 36 total points for the weekend.
Sophie Skinner
- 23 assists
- 5 digs
Ella Chaney
- 8 kills
- 4 digs
- 2 block assists
McKinzee Haas
- 12 kills
- 1 service ace
- 2 block assists
Nicole Sargent
- 7 kills
- 1 solo block
- 2 block assists
Looking ahead, Central Arkansas will matchup against Southern Miss on Saturday, Sept. 5 at noon as part of the Rebel Volleyball Classic in Oxford, Miss.
