Big West 2023

[vballfreak808]

Big West 2023

Website   •   Standings   •   Schedule   •   Stats   •   Instagram   •   Twitter

---

2023 Preseason Poll
(Aug 18, 2023)

Rank	Team	Votes (1st Place)
1.	Hawai'i	100 (10)
2.	UC Santa Barbara	83
3.	Long Beach State	82 (1)
4.	Cal Poly	81
5.	UC Davis	61
6.	UC Irvine	54
7.	UC San Diego	42
8.	Cal State Bakersfield	33
9.	Cal State Fullerton	32
10.	CSUN	27
11.	UC Riverside	10

2023 Preseason Coaches Team

Student-Athlete	Year	Position	Institute
Caylen Alexander	So.	Outside Hitter	Hawai'i
Amber Igiede	Sr.	Middle Blocker	Hawai'i
Kate Lang	Jr.	Setter	Hawai'i
Zayna Meyer	R-So.	Setter	Long Beach State
Michelle Ohwobete	Sr.	Outside Hitter	UC Santa Barbara
Macall Peed	Sr.	Libero	UC Santa Barbara
Tommi Stockham	R-Jr.	Outside Hitter	Cal Poly
Olivia Utteback	Sr.	Opposite Hitter	UC Davis

2022 Standings

Rank	Team	Record (Overall)	Record (Conf.)	2022 Preseason Rank	Final RPI
1.	Hawai'i	22-7	19-1	1	36
2.	UC Santa Barbara	20-10	16-4	2	92
T-3.	Long Beach State	19-9	14-6	4	82
T-3.	Cal Poly	17-13	14-6	3	106
5.	UC Irvine	20-10	13-7	5	103
6.	UC Davis	15-15	10-10	7	140
T-7.	UC San Diego	14-18	7-13	8	213
T-7.	Cal State Fullerton	13-15	7-13	9	207
T-9.	CSUN	9-23	4-16	10	277
T-9.	Cal State Bakersfield	7-25	4-16	6	267
11.	UC Riverside	4-25	2-18	11	308

---

Players of the Week

Date	Offensive	Defensive	Setter	Freshman	Release
Aug. 28	Amber Igiede SR, MB, Hawai'i	Emily McDaniel JR, MB, UCSD	Kate Lang JR, Hawai'i	Lauren Brooker S/OPP, UCSD	Week 1
Sep. 4	Amber Igiede SR, MB, Hawai'i	Macall Peed SR, L, UCSB	Kate Lang JR, Hawai'i	Nicole Feliciano S/OPP, UCI	Week 2
Sep. 11	Michelle Ohwobete SR, OH, UCSB	Jolei Akima JR, L, Cal Poly	Kate Lang JR, Hawai'i	Reese Diersbock OH, UCD	Week 3
Sep. 18	Ava McInnes JR, OH, UCSD	Savana Chacon JR, L, LBSU	Kate Lang JR, Hawai'i	Lauren Brooker S/OPP, UCSD	Week 4
Sep. 25	Amber Igiede SR, MB, Hawai'i	Julia Ng JR, L, UCD	Kate Lang JR, Hawai'i	Ally Chandler MB, UCD	Week 5
Oct. 2	Natalie Glenn JR, OPP, LBSU	Savana Chacon JR, L, LBSU	Zayna Meyer SO, LBSU	Ameena Campbell OH, CSUF	Week 6
Oct. 9	Tommi Stockham JR, OH, Cal Poly	Grace Wuischpard SO, MB, UCSB	Emme Bullis SO, Cal Poly	Paige Sentes DS/L, CSUN	Week 7
Oct. 16	Tasia Farmer SR, OPP, UCSB	Kameron Bacon JR, MB, LBSU	Zayna Meyer SO, LBSU	Emma Napoleon OH, UCI	Week 8
Oct. 23	---	---	---	---	---
Oct. 30	---	---	---	---	---
Nov. 6	---	---	---	---	---
Nov. 13	---	---	---	---	---
Nov. 20	---	---	---	---	---

---

Big West Tournament

Location: Walter Pyramid (Long Beach, CA)
Date: Nov. 22-25

Quarterfinals (Wednesday, Nov. 22)
Semifinals (Friday, Nov. 24)
Finals (Saturday, Nov. 25)
Automatic Bid to NCAA Tournament

Six-Team Tournament
Top Two Seeds Receive First Round Bye
*UC San Diego is not eligible for the tournament due to its transition to D1

---

Cal Poly

Website • Roster • Schedule • Stats • Instagram • Twitter

2022 Record: 17-13 Overall, 14-6 BWC

2022 Big West Finish: T-3rd

Top Returners:

Tommi Stockham (OH)

Emme Bullis (S)

Lizzy Markovska (OH)

Newcomers:

Helena Perez (DS/L - Transfer - Colorado State)
Samantha Callahan (S)

Emma Fredrick (OH)

Demi Harris (DS/L)

Ella Scott (DS/L)

Players Lost:

Maia Dvoracek (OPP - Grad)

Meredith Phillips (MB - Grad)

Avalon DeNecochea (S - Grad)

---

Cal State Bakersfield

Website • Roster • Schedule • Stats • Instagram • Twitter

2022 Record: 7-25 Overall, 4-16 BWC

2022 Big West Finish: T-9th

Top Returners:

Ava Palm (OH)

Lizzie Binder (OH)

Newcomers:

Paige Dugan (OH - Transfer - Lamar)
Sophia Urtquist (MB - Transfer - North Dakota)
Sydney Dunning (OH)

Gennezia Hawkins (S)
Charli James (DS/L)

Grace Moss (DS/L)

Players Lost:

Hayley McCluskey (OH - Grad)

Hana Makanova (OPP - Grad)

Paige Calvin (L - Grad)

Laura De Pra (S - Grad)

Caroline Benke (DS/L - Grad)

Emma Erteltova (MB - Grad)
Golden Finch (MB - Transfer - Colorado State Pueblo)
Lizzie Binder (OH - Transfer - TBA)

---

Cal State Fullerton

Website • Roster • Schedule • Stats • Instagram • Twitter

2022 Record: 13-15 Overall, 7-13 BWC

2022 Big West Finish: T-7th

Top Returners:

Lyla Traylor (OH)

Bianca Martinez (MB)

Lolo Foanua (OPP)

Nadia Koanui (DS/L)

Newcomers:

Ashley Chacon (DS/L - Transfer - College of San Mateo)
Laura Williams (OH - Transfer - Oregon State)
Anna Schatz (S - Transfer - Cal State San Bernardino)

Aubrey Beaver (OH)

Ameena Campbell (OH)

Nia Cummings (MB)

Aaliyah Fasavalu (MB)

Ryleigh Garis (S)

Kylie Griffin (OPP)

Leilani Lopez (DS/L)

Grace Min (DS/L)

Players Lost:

Elizabeth Schuster (S - Grad Transfer - Oregon State)

Danielle Jeffries (OH - Grad Transfer - Charlotte)

Julia Crawford (OH - Grad)

Malie McClure (DS/L - Grad)

Kyahana Robinson (MB - Grad)

Dominique Velarde (DS/L - Grad)
Hailey Black (S - Transfer - TBA)

---

CSUN

Website • Roster • Schedule • Stats • Instagram • Twitter

2022 Record: 9-23 Overall, 4-16 BWC

2022 Big West Finish: T-9th

Top Returners:

Carissa Barron (S/OPP)

Taylor Orshoff (OH)

Newcomers:

Kelsey Knudsen (DS/L - Transfer - BYU)

Leah Miller (OPP - Transfer - Arizona State)

Sophia Jarosz (OH - Transfer - San Diego Mesa)
Perri Starkey (OH - Transfer - UC Davis)

Taylor Dunlap (S)
Madison DiGiorgio (OH)

Paige Sentes (DS/L)

Players Lost: 

Nicole Nevarez (OH - Grad)

Elizabeth Gannon (DS/L - Grad)

Magdalena Juric (OPP - Grad Transfer - Washington State)

Lauryn Anderson (MB - Transfer - Portland State)

Breanna Mitchell (DS/L - Transfer - Boise State)

---

Hawai'i

Website • Roster • Schedule • Stats • Instagram • Twitter

2022 Record: 22-7 Overall, 19-1 BWC

2022 Big West Finish: 1st

Top Returners:

Caylen Alexander (OH
Amber Igiede (MB)

Kate Lang (S)

Riley Wagoner (OH)

Tayli Ikenaga (DS/L)

Newcomers:

Jacyn Bamis (MB - Transfer - Clemson)
Paula Gursching (OH - Transfer - Youngstown State)
Colby Lane (DS/L - Transfer - Seattle)
Tyler Reese Mane (MB - Transfer - Casper College)

Tali Hakas (OH)

Stella Adeyemi (OH)

Players Lost:

Mylana Byrd (S - Grad)

Braelyn Akana (OPP - Grad)
Tiffany Westerberg (MB - Grad)

---

Long Beach State

Website • Roster • Schedule • Stats • Instagram • Twitter

2022 Record: 19-9 Overall, 14-6 BWC

2022 Big West Finish: T-3rd

Top Returners:

Zayna Meyer (S)

Katie Kennedy (OPP/MB)

Natalie Glenn (OH/OPP)

Newcomers:

Hanna Lesiak (OH - Transfer - Northwestern)

Elise Agi (OH - Transfer - Oregon)

Abby Karich (OH - Transfer - Utah)

Jaida Harris (OH)
Milani Lee (S)

Taliah Lee (OH)

Ella Lomigora (MB)
Grace O'Reilly (OPP)

Sarah Vellucci (DS/L)

Players Lost:

Dylan Dela Cruz (L - Grad)

Callie Schwarzenbach (MB - Grad)

Victoria O’Sullivan (OH - Grad)

Morgan Chacon (OH - Transfer - Florida State Beach)

Starr Williams (OH - Transfer - New Mexico State)

---

UC Davis

Website • Roster • Schedule • Stats • Instagram • Twitter

2022 Record: 15-15 Overall, 10-10 BWC

2022 Big West Finish: 6th

Top Returners:

Olivia Utterback (OPP)

Casi Newman (S)

Amara Aimufua (OH)

Newcomers:

Allie Caldwell (MB)
Alexandra Chandler (MB)
Breeze Czapinski (OH)

Reese Diersbock (OH)

Rachel Dunagan (OH)
Brooke Hibino (OH)

Mia Starr (S)

Players Lost:

Lana Radakovic (MB - Grad Transfer - Washington State)

Josephine Ough (MB - Grad)

Demari Webb (OH - Grad)

Shira Lahav (DS/L - Grad)

Perri Starkey (OH - Transfer - CSUN)

---

UC Irvine

Website • Roster • Schedule • Stats • Instagram • Twitter

2022 Record: 20-10 Overall, 13-7 BWC

2022 Big West Finish: 5th

Top Returners:

Campbell Jensen (DS/L)

Marianna Bertolone (OH)

Ellen Veargason (OPP)

Newcomers:

Ella Gardiner (MB - Transfer - Fairfield)
Lexi Gruzczynski (DS/L - Transfer - Cal)
Hunter Riedl (OPP/OH - Transfer - Sacred Heart)
Becca Sakoda (DS/L - Transfer - Illinois)
Isabella Scarlett (MB - Transfer - UC Riverside)

Nicole Feliciano (S/RS)
Ava Gronemeyer (MB/OH)

Maia Niemen (OH)

Players Lost:

Onye Ofoegbu (MB - Grad Transfer - Oregon)

Joy Umeh (OPP - Grad Transfer - UCLA)

Kelly Negron (S - Grad Transfer - North Florida)

Bailey Darnell (DS/L - Grad Transfer - San Diego State)

Carissa MacDonald (OH - Grad)

Kiani Stanton (MB - Grad)

Sofia Skukan (DS/L - Grad)

Carly Richter (DS/L - Transfer - George Mason)
Jesse Szymanski (MB - Transfer - Cal Poly Beach)

---

UC Riverside

Website • Roster • Schedule • Stats • Instagram • Twitter

2022 Record: 4-25 Overall, 2-18 BWC

2022 Big West Finish: 11th

Top Returners:

Jessica Dean (DS/L)

Delaney Tate (OH)

Newcomers:

Sophia Ewalefo (OH - Transfer - New Orleans)
Tylee Fuller (DS/L - Transfer - Iowa Western CC)
Trinity Neal (DS/L - Transfer - UC Santa Cruz)

Ana Beatriz Nunes Dos Santos (OPP - Transfer - Navarro College)

Sydnee Rowe (MB - Transfer - Feather River College)
Bia Silva (S - Transfer - Pasadena City College)
Brooklyn Wiedenheft (DS/L - Transfer - UConn)
Carissa Wiles (OH - Transfer - Hope International)

Nikki Hughes (OPP)
Riley Johnson (MB)

Players Lost:

Tayler Hifo (S - Grad)

Mylie Vargas-Deason (OH - Grad)

Isabella Scarlett (MB - Grad Transfer - UC Irvine)

Ayanna Kimbrough (OPP - Grad)
Shannon Dunkin (MB - Transfer - Northern Illinois)

Kenzy Militar (DS/L - Transfer - TBA)

Chloe Ruhl (DS/L - Transfer - Fort Lewis)

---

UC San Diego

Website • Roster • Schedule • Stats • Instagram • Twitter

2022 Record: 14-18 Overall, 7-13 BWC

2022 Big West Finish: T-7th

Top Returners:

Ava McInnes (OH)

Emily McDaniel (MB)

Shara Da Silva (MB)

Newcomers:

Nevada Knowles (S - Transfer - Ventura College)
Dana Branavets (DS/L - Transfer - Boise State)

Lauren Brooker (S)
Iris Canko (DS/L)

Reagan McWhinney (OH)

Nicole Zake (OH)

Players Lost:

Naya Dong (DS/L - Grad)

Dani Mason (MB/OPP - Grad)

Grace Cannon (MB/OPP - Grad Transfer - TBA)

Izzi Strand (S - Grad Transfer - Wichita State)

---

UC Santa Barbara

Website • Roster • Schedule • Stats • Instagram • Twitter

2022 Record: 17-13 Overall, 14-6 BWC

2022 Big West Finish: T-3rd

Top Returners:

Michelle Ohwobete (OH)

Macall Peed (DS/L)

Tasia Farmer (OPP)

Briana McKnight (OH)

Newcomers:

Andi Kreiling (MB - Transfer - Arizona State)

Lois Hansen (OPP)

Emma McDermott (OH)

Milan Rex (S)

Hannah Slover (OH)

Sandrea Thomas (MB)

Eva Travis (OH)

Cortni Youngblood (DS/L)

Players Lost: 

Tallulah Froley (OPP - Grad)

Mehana Ma’a (S - Grad)

Deni Wilson (MB - Grad)

Megan Shimoda (S - Grad)

Kristina Pepek (OH - Grad)

Sophie Messinger (OH - Grad)
Kimi Waller (OH - Transfer - UC Davis Beach)

[beachgrad]

The only team without big question marks is Hawaii the defending conference champion. The bows bring back their key starters so an unbiased person would have to put them on top. UCSB would be my second place choice but until the school announces their new head coach and any transfers out I will put UCSB on hold. The next team should be LBSU and then Cal Poly even with their key players graduating. UCI lost too much and I do knot know enough about the other programs losses and additions.

[volleyguy]

Apr 17, 2023 22:16:31 GMT -5 beachgrad said:

The only team without big question marks is Hawaii the defending conference champion. The bows bring back their key starters so an unbiased person would have to put them on top. UCSB would be my second place choice but until the school announces their new head coach and any transfers out I will put UCSB on hold. The next team should be LBSU and then Cal Poly even with their key players graduating. UCI lost too much and I do knot know enough about the other programs losses and additions.

Santa Barbara has their head coach in place—they promoted Matt Jones (announced it simultaneously with the HC departure. Based on the off-season activity so far, it’s looking like a big drop-off after Hawai’i all the way around.

[SmokeDogg]

Fullerton had no spring tournaments this year because they only had 3 players that weren't injured. Lolo Foanua plans to redshirt because of her injury and will be greatly missed. But Nicole brought in great Freshmen last year so I think see will do so again.

Fullerton will have two of the best middles in the Big West! Ketesia Hall and Bianca Martinez. I saw Ketesia (Keke or Kiki) play one match before she was injured and she will be a force for Fullerton.

We should be last, but I have faith in Nicole as a recruiter and a coach. I also think she has great assistants helping her develop the incoming Freshmen! So my guess, Fullerton will be anywhere from 4th to 8th out of 11.

[jake]

Great Job,...VB...808!

CAL POLY's four Newcomers will most likely be a non-factor in 2023!!!!

[Kangaroo]

my king 😭👑

ty for this thread

[beachgrad]

LBSU losses some significant contributors from last season including Morgan Chacon, Callie Schwarzenbach and Dylan Delal Cruz. All three played key roles in LBSU moving up the conference ladder. The good news is that all the returning players now have played a year under Tyler and know his system and expectations.

There are four new players already on campus in Elise Agi from Oregon, Hanna Lesiak from Northwestern, and two early freshman in Grace O'Reilly and Sarah Vellucci. The program also brings in Utah transfer Abby Karich and freshman Ella Lomigora. One more scholarship is available for a transfer if Tyler wants to fill it for next season.

The only locks for next season is Zayna Meyer at setter and Katie Kennedy in the middle if Tyler sticks with what he is doing this spring. IMO Kameron Bacon will be a lock if Kennedy moves back to a pin position.  All the other positions will be very competitive going into double days. However, I have been surprised with how well freshman Grace O'Reilly has looked on the right this spring. She definitely looks like a player that can develop into a top tier player.

[jake]

Apr 19, 2023 10:59:09 GMT -5 beachgrad said:

LBSU losses some significant contributors from last season including Morgan Chacon, Callie Schwarzenbach and Dylan Delal Cruz. All three played key roles in LBSU moving up the conference ladder. The good news is that all the returning players now have played a year under Tyler and know his system and expectations.

There are four new players already on campus in Elise Agi from Oregon, Hanna Lesiak from Northwestern, and two early freshman in Grace O'Reilly and Sarah Vellucci. The program also brings in Utah transfer Abby Karich and freshman Ella Lomigora. One more scholarship is available for a transfer if Tyler wants to fill it for next season.

The only locks for next season is Zayna Meyer at setter and Katie Kennedy in the middle if Tyler sticks with what he is doing this spring. IMO Kameron Bacon will be a lock if Kennedy moves back to a pin position.  All the other positions will be very competitive going into double days. However, I have been surprised with how well freshman Grace O'Reilly has looked on the right this spring. She definitely looks like a player that can develop into a top tier player.

    How is the Beach able to bring in so many players after only losing three?

[beachgrad]

Apr 19, 2023 11:19:52 GMT -5 jake said:

Apr 19, 2023 10:59:09 GMT -5 beachgrad said:

LBSU losses some significant contributors from last season including Morgan Chacon, Callie Schwarzenbach and Dylan Delal Cruz. All three played key roles in LBSU moving up the conference ladder. The good news is that all the returning players now have played a year under Tyler and know his system and expectations.

There are four new players already on campus in Elise Agi from Oregon, Hanna Lesiak from Northwestern, and two early freshman in Grace O'Reilly and Sarah Vellucci. The program also brings in Utah transfer Abby Karich and freshman Ella Lomigora. One more scholarship is available for a transfer if Tyler wants to fill it for next season.

The only locks for next season is Zayna Meyer at setter and Katie Kennedy in the middle if Tyler sticks with what he is doing this spring. IMO Kameron Bacon will be a lock if Kennedy moves back to a pin position.  All the other positions will be very competitive going into double days. However, I have been surprised with how well freshman Grace O'Reilly has looked on the right this spring. She definitely looks like a player that can develop into a top tier player.

    How is the Beach able to bring in so many players after only losing three?

Jake, those are the three significant players that I highlighted but others have moved on through graduation, transfer, etc.  Also, some of the new players are recruited walk-ons and not scholarship players.

[medusa]

Thank you to this thread creator. Mahalos

[goblin]

Ouch! I feel for UCI losing both Ofoegbu and Umeh to the transfer portal. Yikes 😬

[vballfreak808]

UC Davis the first Big West Team to announce its 2023 Schedule

ucdavisaggies.com/news/2023/6/5/womens-volleyball-uc-davis-volleyball-announces-2023-slate.aspx

As mentioned before last season, only 18 conference matches, so UC Davis only plays Hawai'i (home) and UC San Diego (away) once

Dates for Conference Tournament Nov. 23-25

[iokepa]

Hawaii schedule per other threads and webpages

Hawaii to host 2 tournaments.
First tournament has Northwestern, San Diego, and Oregon (approximately 8/24 to 8/26 or 8/31 to 9/2)
Other tournament has Liberty, Pepperdine and UCLA (9/7, 9/8 and 9/10)
TCU tournament (9/14-9/16) at TCU, Western Carolina and Florida State

Oct. 17 Hawaii at UC Davis (only one time this year)

November 23-25 is Big West Conference volleyball tournament at Long Beach

[roy]

UC Davis and Cal Poly put out their schedules. From looking at those two, it looks like they have Cal Poly and UCSB as travel partners again. That's going to be a tough set of back to back matches for the rest of the Big West teams.

[808]

New UCSB hire: ucsbgauchos.com/sports/w-volley/2022-23/releases/20230622mffhzc