SEASIDE, Calif. – Competing inside The Kelp Bed for their last match of the 2026 season, Menlo Women's Volleyball used an impressive second set performance to even things up, but Cal State Monterey Bay countered with late rallies in the final two frames for the 3-1 (25-12, 18-25, 25-19, 25-20) victory.
Oaks Highlights
-A team-best 12 kills put
Fuka Kikuchi over 860 kills in her collegiate career
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Ruby Santos (17) and
Makenna Mello (12) both turned in double-digit assists with the latter adding her seventh double-double with 10 digs
-In addition to connecting on the first kill of her four-year career,
Faith Oller led all competitors with 19 digs
Menlo Wins Aces And Digs Battles In First Pairing With CSUMB
Though three different Oaks put away kills in Menlo's 5-2 start to the afternoon, Cal State Monterey Bay responded with eight straight points then a 7-0 push shortly thereafter had the Otters out to an early 25-12 advantage.
Emphasizing a 7-3 beginning to the second set, senior outside hitter
Fuka Kikuchi dropped a solo block then joined junior middle blocker
Avery Krebill, sophomore outside hitter/opposite
Kate Ross, and sophomore
Dayjah McFadden in connecting on kills during the ensuing 6-2 surge. The Otters cut their deficit to three at 17-14, but Kikuchi, sophomore middle blocker/opposite
Sophia Kelso, and Ross provided five consecutive kills to push Menlo to its eventual match-evening 25-18 victory.
Despite holding a 12-6 lead in the third frame, Cal State Monterey Bay saw its margin suddenly evaporate with two service aces from senior libero
Emily Licon and later a kill by junior outside hitter
Michelle Mlikan dropping it to a 15-14 difference. CSUMB's 7-2 run to close not only gave them the 25-19 result but also the confidence to do it again in the fourth where the Oaks' 10-6 start wore off to a 20-20 deadlock before five unanswered Otter points sealed the 25-20 end score.
Season In Review
Menlo's third season with Head Coach
Lesli Akeo at the helm saw the Oaks finish 9-14 overall and 5-8 in CCAA play, earning seven victories inside Haynes-Prim Pavilion including thrilling comeback wins over UC Merced and Stanislaus State as well as two sweeps of Cal State Dominguez Hills – the last of which was preceded by an emotional Senior Night celebration.
The 2026 campaign was highlighted by multiple individual achievements as senior outside hitter
Fuka Kikuchi closed out her collegiate career with 867 kills (322 to rank ninth in Menlo single-season history) while other milestones included senior setter
Ruby Santos finishing with over 2,000 collegiate assists in her career and senior libero
Faith Oller wrapping her four-year Menlo career with 752 digs.
