Isabel Zelaya Named Women's Volleyball Assistant Coach
7/28/2026 2:30:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
MALIBU, Calif. - A familiar face has returned to Pepperdine women's volleyball. Isabel Zelaya has joined the program's staff as an assistant coach, as announced today by head coach Scott Wong.
"Isabel 'Isa' Zelaya was a talented young lady that made herself into a very good setter, a great leader, and she helped us win a lot of games while at Pepperdine!" said Wong. "I'm excited for our team and our young ladies that will get to work with her as she will positively impact our level as a volleyball team but more importantly, the overall growth of our team!"
Zelaya, a Tomball, Texas native, returns to Malibu after completing several years as the Club Director with Pacific Coast Volleyball, which was founded by Wong. Isabel was a four-year team captain and four-time All-WCC First Team member as she helped guide the Waves to NCAA Tournament appearances from 2020-2023. In 2023, she was named the WCC Setter of the Year. Over the course of her Pepperdine playing career, she appeared in a program-record 133 matches and a program-record 479 sets, racking up 198 kills and a whopping 4,950 assists, which currently ranks second in program history (only 70 behind Becci Roehl's 5,020 from 1994-97). Her 10.33 assists' per set are seventh in program history, and Zelaya is currently ranked 10th in the season records (since rally scoring started in 2001) in both assists (1,144 in 2021) and assists per set (11.19 in 2021). On top of all her athletic awards, Isabel earned a bevy of academic honors, including 2022 and 2023 CSC Academic All-District as well as WCC All-Academic each year from 2020 to 2023. Zelaya was a four-time WCC Commissioner's Honor Roll Gold status and garnered Silver status three times.
"I am so grateful to be welcomed back to Pepperdine Volleyball as a coach, and I want to thank Scott Wong for giving me this incredible opportunity," stated Zelaya. "Pepperdine has played such a meaningful role in my life and has shaped so much of who I am today. I am honored to give back to this program and help continue building on the tradition and success of Pepperdine Volleyball!"
A graduate of Concordia Lutheran High School in Tomball, she lettered four seasons under Head Coach Kim Odinga. Isabel was a setter and outside hitter for CLHS in the TAPPS 6A League. Zelaya was a PrepVolleyball All-American honor each year of her high school tenure and finished as the program's all-time leader in assists while compiling four All-State honors and All-District accolades. During her junior and senior campaigns, she was the Vype Magazine Player of the Year while also collecting AVCA All-American, All-Greater Houston First Team, and AVCA Phenom List honors. The Texan enjoyed four TAPPS 6A Final Four appearances, winning it all as a sophomore. Zelaya was dominant from the get-go in her high school career, taking home PrepVolleyball Freshman of the Year, All-State All-Tournament, and AVCA Phenom list honors. Her success carried over into the classroom, where she was an Honor Roll student all four years.
Sports and athletics run deep in the Zelaya family. Isabel's sister, Gabi, played indoor volleyball at Houston for two years before going to Delaware. Isabel's mom Christen was a four-year letter winning outside hitter at Texas Tech, and her father Rod threw javelin at Texas tech in addition to being a track and field letterwinner. Rod was also a three-time All-American and held the Chilean National record holder in javelin for over 15 years.
Zelaya and the Waves will begin the 2026 campaign with an open scrimmage against UCLA on August 15 before welcoming Villanova to Firestone Fieldhouse as the official regular season opener on August 28, which is part of the Asics Classic.
ABOUT PEPPERDINE WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL
Pepperdine women's volleyball has reached 26 NCAA Tournaments since 1981 as one of the most successful collegiate programs on the West Coast. The 12-time WCC Champions Waves have consistently produced top talent with 21 All-American selections with honorees in six straight decades. With multiple Olympians going through the program, Kim Hill brought home the program's first gold medal at the 2020 Olympic Games.
TICKETS
For more information on ticket packages and to purchase tickets for upcoming home events, visit here.
FOLLOW
To stay up-to-date on the latest Pepperdine women's volleyball news, follow the Waves on social media @PepperdineWVB.
"Isabel 'Isa' Zelaya was a talented young lady that made herself into a very good setter, a great leader, and she helped us win a lot of games while at Pepperdine!" said Wong. "I'm excited for our team and our young ladies that will get to work with her as she will positively impact our level as a volleyball team but more importantly, the overall growth of our team!"
Zelaya, a Tomball, Texas native, returns to Malibu after completing several years as the Club Director with Pacific Coast Volleyball, which was founded by Wong. Isabel was a four-year team captain and four-time All-WCC First Team member as she helped guide the Waves to NCAA Tournament appearances from 2020-2023. In 2023, she was named the WCC Setter of the Year. Over the course of her Pepperdine playing career, she appeared in a program-record 133 matches and a program-record 479 sets, racking up 198 kills and a whopping 4,950 assists, which currently ranks second in program history (only 70 behind Becci Roehl's 5,020 from 1994-97). Her 10.33 assists' per set are seventh in program history, and Zelaya is currently ranked 10th in the season records (since rally scoring started in 2001) in both assists (1,144 in 2021) and assists per set (11.19 in 2021). On top of all her athletic awards, Isabel earned a bevy of academic honors, including 2022 and 2023 CSC Academic All-District as well as WCC All-Academic each year from 2020 to 2023. Zelaya was a four-time WCC Commissioner's Honor Roll Gold status and garnered Silver status three times.
"I am so grateful to be welcomed back to Pepperdine Volleyball as a coach, and I want to thank Scott Wong for giving me this incredible opportunity," stated Zelaya. "Pepperdine has played such a meaningful role in my life and has shaped so much of who I am today. I am honored to give back to this program and help continue building on the tradition and success of Pepperdine Volleyball!"
Prior to her Pepperdine playing days, Zelaya played for the Houston Juniors club volleyball squad in addition to the Woodlands Wave for one year, and four years with Xtreme. She was a Silver medalist in the 18s GJNC American Division and NEQ, and a Gold medalist at the Big South Qualifier and MEQ.We want YOU 🫵 to get your season tickets today!
— Pepperdine Women's Volleyball (@PepperdineWVB) July 14, 2026
Averaging just $6.54 per match, it is the premium value for fans! 🎟️
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A graduate of Concordia Lutheran High School in Tomball, she lettered four seasons under Head Coach Kim Odinga. Isabel was a setter and outside hitter for CLHS in the TAPPS 6A League. Zelaya was a PrepVolleyball All-American honor each year of her high school tenure and finished as the program's all-time leader in assists while compiling four All-State honors and All-District accolades. During her junior and senior campaigns, she was the Vype Magazine Player of the Year while also collecting AVCA All-American, All-Greater Houston First Team, and AVCA Phenom List honors. The Texan enjoyed four TAPPS 6A Final Four appearances, winning it all as a sophomore. Zelaya was dominant from the get-go in her high school career, taking home PrepVolleyball Freshman of the Year, All-State All-Tournament, and AVCA Phenom list honors. Her success carried over into the classroom, where she was an Honor Roll student all four years.
Sports and athletics run deep in the Zelaya family. Isabel's sister, Gabi, played indoor volleyball at Houston for two years before going to Delaware. Isabel's mom Christen was a four-year letter winning outside hitter at Texas Tech, and her father Rod threw javelin at Texas tech in addition to being a track and field letterwinner. Rod was also a three-time All-American and held the Chilean National record holder in javelin for over 15 years.
Zelaya and the Waves will begin the 2026 campaign with an open scrimmage against UCLA on August 15 before welcoming Villanova to Firestone Fieldhouse as the official regular season opener on August 28, which is part of the Asics Classic.
ABOUT PEPPERDINE WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL
Pepperdine women's volleyball has reached 26 NCAA Tournaments since 1981 as one of the most successful collegiate programs on the West Coast. The 12-time WCC Champions Waves have consistently produced top talent with 21 All-American selections with honorees in six straight decades. With multiple Olympians going through the program, Kim Hill brought home the program's first gold medal at the 2020 Olympic Games.
TICKETS
For more information on ticket packages and to purchase tickets for upcoming home events, visit here.
FOLLOW
To stay up-to-date on the latest Pepperdine women's volleyball news, follow the Waves on social media @PepperdineWVB.
