Photo by: Greg Bintz
2026 Season Preview: Women's Volleyball
8/15/2026 11:37:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Three things to know about the upcoming campaign
MALIBU, Calif. - The dog days of summer are over, and in less than two weeks, Pepperdine women's volleyball will welcome Villanova, South Dakota State, and Sacramento State for opening weekend at the Asics Classic in Firestone Fieldhouse.
Here's three things to know about the season:
1. Bring something to share at the Pepperdine Block Party
While the Waves were towards the middle of pack in several key offensive statistical categories last year, Pepperdine's defense was phenomenal. The blue and orange paced the West Coast Conference with 295 blocks, and returning junior middle blocker Ella Piskorz led all conference qualifiers with 151 (next-best was 126). Irelynd Lorenzen, entering her senior season, had 119 (4th in WCC), while Tristen Raymond, only entering her sophomore campaign, tacked on 73 more. Raymond also paired with Laine Briggs as one of the best tandems in the digs department (272 and 391, respectively). Briggs' 391 was good for fourth-most in the WCC. Pepperdine lost only three players from last season, and perhaps the most noteworthy is Vanesssa Polk (88 blocks, 11th in WCC) and Brynne McGhie (141 digs, 4th on team and 292 total attacks, third on team).
The Waves are rolling into 2026 with seven of their 20 players being freshmen. Three were signed last November, another three were added in February, and most recently, the program added Moscow, Russia native Mariia Nikol Dvornikova. Most of the class could make an immediate impact, starting with Reese Poerner and Claire McNeal. The duo cleans up depth at the outside hitter position, while Isabella Rasi could see significant time as a setter behind Tristen Raymond. At the libero spot, Eliya Dev fills the roster spot formerly held by Ella Irwin. Dev is competing for a role with Charis Kai behind the aforementioned Laine Briggs. At the net, Ellie Sandoz is a name to watch among a group of five middle blockers, which is led by Lorenzen and her senior counterpart Grace Jackson, in addition to Piskorz.
3. A synopsis of the schedule
Pepperdine gets the benefit of the schedule being bookended with home matches, starting with the Asics Classic August 28-30. The tournament will feature Villanova, Sacramento State, and South Dakota State. After that, the Waves won't spend much time in Malibu until October, going on the road for the Bluejay Classic (hosted by Creighton) and the Alyssa Cavanaugh Classic (hosted by Western Kentucky). The lone September home match is a big one against future WCC opponent UC Santa Barbara. Pepperdine will be tested throughout October and into early November, playing on the road seven times in a stretch of nine matches from Oct. 8 to Nov. 7. The blue and orange have five straight home matches to end the season, beginning with a nationally televised match against San Diego on Nov. 12 before the regular season finale on Nov. 28 against Seattle.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 2026 OFFSEASON
February 10, 2026: Former Wave Alli Rust is added to the staff as an assistant coach
February 17, 2026: Pepperdine announces the signing of freshmen Eliya Dev, Isabella Rasi, and Reese Poerner
July 9, 2026: The 2026 schedule is announced
July 10, 2026: 16 women's volleyball athletes are among 149 total Waves named to the WCC Commissioner's Honor Roll
July 28, 2026: Former Wave Isabel Zelaya joins the staff as an assistant coach
August 5, 2026: The WCC and ESPN announce the Pepperdine San Diego match on November 12 will be televised on ESPNU
August 6, 2026: The program rounds out the 2026 roster with the signing of Moscow, Russia native Mariia Nikol Dvornikova
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 on Twitter/X, @pepperdinewvb on Instagram, and Pepperdine Women's Volleyball on Facebook.
Here's three things to know about the season:
1. Bring something to share at the Pepperdine Block Party
While the Waves were towards the middle of pack in several key offensive statistical categories last year, Pepperdine's defense was phenomenal. The blue and orange paced the West Coast Conference with 295 blocks, and returning junior middle blocker Ella Piskorz led all conference qualifiers with 151 (next-best was 126). Irelynd Lorenzen, entering her senior season, had 119 (4th in WCC), while Tristen Raymond, only entering her sophomore campaign, tacked on 73 more. Raymond also paired with Laine Briggs as one of the best tandems in the digs department (272 and 391, respectively). Briggs' 391 was good for fourth-most in the WCC. Pepperdine lost only three players from last season, and perhaps the most noteworthy is Vanesssa Polk (88 blocks, 11th in WCC) and Brynne McGhie (141 digs, 4th on team and 292 total attacks, third on team).
2. Don't overlook the freshman classAnother day closer 🤫
— Pepperdine Women's Volleyball (@PepperdineWVB) August 14, 2026
🎟️ | https://t.co/zV3akHs7ns#MakeWaves | @PepperdineWaves pic.twitter.com/NJlLOB176U
The Waves are rolling into 2026 with seven of their 20 players being freshmen. Three were signed last November, another three were added in February, and most recently, the program added Moscow, Russia native Mariia Nikol Dvornikova. Most of the class could make an immediate impact, starting with Reese Poerner and Claire McNeal. The duo cleans up depth at the outside hitter position, while Isabella Rasi could see significant time as a setter behind Tristen Raymond. At the libero spot, Eliya Dev fills the roster spot formerly held by Ella Irwin. Dev is competing for a role with Charis Kai behind the aforementioned Laine Briggs. At the net, Ellie Sandoz is a name to watch among a group of five middle blockers, which is led by Lorenzen and her senior counterpart Grace Jackson, in addition to Piskorz.
3. A synopsis of the schedule
Pepperdine gets the benefit of the schedule being bookended with home matches, starting with the Asics Classic August 28-30. The tournament will feature Villanova, Sacramento State, and South Dakota State. After that, the Waves won't spend much time in Malibu until October, going on the road for the Bluejay Classic (hosted by Creighton) and the Alyssa Cavanaugh Classic (hosted by Western Kentucky). The lone September home match is a big one against future WCC opponent UC Santa Barbara. Pepperdine will be tested throughout October and into early November, playing on the road seven times in a stretch of nine matches from Oct. 8 to Nov. 7. The blue and orange have five straight home matches to end the season, beginning with a nationally televised match against San Diego on Nov. 12 before the regular season finale on Nov. 28 against Seattle.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 2026 OFFSEASON
February 10, 2026: Former Wave Alli Rust is added to the staff as an assistant coach
February 17, 2026: Pepperdine announces the signing of freshmen Eliya Dev, Isabella Rasi, and Reese Poerner
July 9, 2026: The 2026 schedule is announced
July 10, 2026: 16 women's volleyball athletes are among 149 total Waves named to the WCC Commissioner's Honor Roll
July 28, 2026: Former Wave Isabel Zelaya joins the staff as an assistant coach
August 5, 2026: The WCC and ESPN announce the Pepperdine San Diego match on November 12 will be televised on ESPNU
August 6, 2026: The program rounds out the 2026 roster with the signing of Moscow, Russia native Mariia Nikol Dvornikova
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 on Twitter/X, @pepperdinewvb on Instagram, and Pepperdine Women's Volleyball on Facebook.
Players Mentioned
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