SAN BRUNO, Calif. – Pepperdine Beach Volleyball was selected to finish second in the West Coast Conference (WCC) Preseason Poll, announced today by the league. In addition, senior Gabriella Perez and sophomore Emma Eden earned spots on the All-WCC Preseason Team.
The preseason poll has the Waves projected to finish second in the conference standings, as they netted a total of 30 votes, six fewer than preseason favorite LMU. The awards are voted on by each conference member's coaching and communication staff.
Two Pepperdine representatives were named to the preseason team–a collection of the ten athletes deemed the class of the WCC. Reigning WCC Freshman of the Year Emma Eden and senior Gabriella Perez both earned their first selections to a preseason list.
Eden is coming off of a 25-8 debut campaign with the Waves. During the fall season, she competed in the AVCA Beach National Championships tournament with teammate Maddy Snow.
Perez made the WCC All-Second team in 2024, which built upon her All-Freshman honors the previous season. Last year she tallied a record of 19-13, which was the second highest win total amongst Pepperdine returners.
The team begins their 2026 campaign at home Feb. 20 against Vanguard at 10 a.m.. Other opponents in the Pepperdine Challenge that weekend included Washington and Long Beach State.
2026 Beach Volleyball Coaches Preseason Poll
1. LMU - 36 points (6)
2. Pepperdine - 30 points (1)
3. Santa Clara - 27 points
4. Saint Mary's - 20 points
5. San Francisco - 17 points
6. Pacific - 9 points
7. Portland - 8 points
2026 All-West Coast Conference Beach Volleyball Preseason Team
Hannah Couch, Saint Mary's
Emma Eden, Pepperdine
Chloe Hooker, LMU
Branson Lennon, San Francisco
Anna Pelloia, LMU
Gabriella Perez, Pepperdine
Ines Piret, LMU
Magdalena Rabitsch, LMU
Tanon Rosenthal, LMU
Sadie Snipes, Santa Clara
ABOUT PEPPERDINE BEACH VOLLEYBALL
Established in 2011, Pepperdine beach volleyball quickly rose to national prominence, winning two national championships in three years (2012, 2014) while reaching the final four in five of its first six seasons. Joining the WCC ahead of the 2016 season with the sport becoming NCAA-sanctioned, the Waves won the inaugural and first three WCC Championships while reaching eight straight conference championship games from 2016-24. The program has consistently recruited top talent in the sport, with 21 student-athletes garnering All-American honors since 2012.
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