Golden Eagles Soar in 2026 Debut, Defeat CSUN 3-2

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The Concordia University Irvine Golden Eagles opened the 2026 beach volleyball season with a 3-2 win over CSUN on Friday. The team demonstrated resilience and depth, securing key victories in tightly contested matches to clinch the dual. Jordan Vander Veen and Rosie Cline, Gabby Reinking and Lexi Godbey, and Kelia Giusta and Ashley Rossi all recorded wins for CUI, with Giusta and Rossi's comeback victory in the deciding third set sealing the overall win for the Golden Eagles.

Why it matters

This early-season victory for Concordia University Irvine highlights several emerging trends in collegiate beach volleyball, including the increasing competitiveness of mid-major programs, the growing emphasis on mental toughness, and the importance of strategic pairings and lineup flexibility.

The details

The Golden Eagles responded effectively after CSUN secured the first point at the No. 5 position, demonstrating their ability to bounce back and win tightly contested matches. Jordan Vander Veen and Rosie Cline battled to a 15-13 win in the third set at No. 4, shifting the momentum in favor of Concordia. Gabby Reinking and Lexi Godbey followed suit at No. 2, securing a 15-12 victory in the deciding set after splitting the first two sets. The clinching point came from Kelia Giusta and Ashley Rossi at No. 3, who rallied to win the final two sets 21-15 and 16-14 after dropping the first set 21-14.

• The Golden Eagles kicked off the 2026 season on Friday, February 21, 2026.

What’s next

The Golden Eagles will look to build on their strong start as they continue their 2026 season.