MALIBU, CALIF. – The Villanova volleyball program will begin its 2026 season at the Asics Classic this weekend in Malibu. Hosted by the Pepperdine Waves at Firestone Fieldhouse, the tournament field also features matches against the Sacramento State Hornets and the South Dakota State Jackrabbits.
 
Villanova will open the tournament Friday night when they take on host Pepperdine at 9 p.m., match up with Sacramento State on Saturday at 5 p.m., and close out the trip against South Dakota State on Sunday at 1 p.m.
 
SEASON OPENERS UNDER STEINBACH
The 2026 season marks the 20th year under Villanova head coach Josh Steinbach. It will be the Wildcats' first season-opening trip to California since 2022 when they participated in the Cardinal & Gold Classic. Since Steinbach's arrival to the Main Line in 2007, the 'Cats have gone 14-5 in season openers, including 10 wins in the last 11 curtain-raisers. This will be the 20th different arena that Steinbach and the Wildcats have opened a season in, playing in a new tournament each season outside of the two home appearances in 2012 and 2021 (though those were in two different arenas). The 'Cats have begun their seasons under Steinbach in 10 different states: four times in Pennsylvania, thrice in California and Virginia, twice in Maryland and Michigan, and once in five other states. Villanova will meet Pepperdine and South Dakota State for the first time in program history, as well as clashing with Sacramento State for just the second time in program history, with the most recent contest coming in 2008.
 
PRESEASON POLL PRIMER
After three consecutive trips to the BIG EAST Volleyball Championship, Villanova earned its highest selection in program history in the 2026 BIG EAST Preseason Poll released last Thursday. The Wildcats received 86 points to take second place in the preseason projections. Senior outside hitter Abby Harrell was also chosen as the Preseason BIG EAST Player of the Year, the first player in program history to receive the award. Additionally, both Harrell and junior middle blocker Campbell McKinnon were named to the Preseason All-BIG EAST Team, with McKinnon being selected unanimously.
 
FRESH FACES
While the Wildcats bring back standard-bearers across almost every rotation spot from last year's BIG EAST contender, Steinbach's program welcomes four skilled additions to bolster depth and compete for immediate playing time. The incoming class features three high-caliber freshmen alongside a proven BIG EAST transfer in Loren Winn from UConn. The junior opposite hitter arrives on the Main Line after totaling 252 kills and 115 blocks across two seasons in Storrs. Joining Winn are three first-years, each boasting decorated prep backgrounds across the country. Outside hitter Chloe Kelly brings a complete, six-rotation game to the pins following a 1,000-kill scholastic career at Westlake High School in Texas. Local product Michelle Eburuoh, a three-time Philadelphia Catholic League champion and two-time league MVP from Cardinal O'Hara, adds elite athleticism and natural blocking instincts to the middle after breaking O'Hara's all-time solo blocks record. Setter Selah O'Connor rounds out the group after guiding Xavier Prep to an Arizona 6A state title and surpassing 1,000 career assists, bringing immediate polish and championship pedigree to the back-row setting competition.
 
TESTING THE WATERS

• The Waves are coming off a successful season that saw them go 21-8, although they missed out on the NCAA Volleyball Championship.
• 12th-year head coach Scott Wong's squad was projected to finish second in the WCC preseason poll while junior middle blocker Ella Piskorz, junior outside hitter Chloe Pravednikov, and sophomore setter Tristen Raymond were all named to the WCC Preseason Team.
• Pepperdine added seven freshmen ahead of the 2026 season: Eliya Dev, Sullivan Leonard, Claire McNeal, Mariia Nikol Dvornikova, Reese Poerner, Isabella Rasi, and Ellie Sandoz.
• This weekend's meeting will mark the first-ever meeting between Villanova and Pepperdine.

 
SWARMING THE HORNETS

• Sacramento State is fresh off a 20-10 campaign that saw them advance to the Big Sky semifinals before ultimately bowing out to Northern Colorado.
• 19th-year head coach Ruben Volta's team was selected to finish fifth in their inaugural season in the Big West Conference, with junior outside hitter Victoria Marthaler being named to the Big West Preseason Coaches' Team.
• Newcomers for Volta's squad include: UTSA transfer setter Makenna Wiepert and freshmen Nikola Gamlin, Mia Molnar, Addy Scheitlin, and Cyniya Stewart.
• Saturday's contest will be just the second meeting between the two programs, with the most recent contest coming in September 2008 that saw Villanova win 3-1.

 
OUT-HOPPING THE JACKRABBITS

• South Dakota State opens 2026 after a successful 2025 season that saw them go 23-5, culminating in an NCAA Volleyball Championship berth where they suffered defeat at the hands of the Arizona Wildcats.
• Head coach Dan Georgalas enters his seventh season leading the Jackrabbits. His squad was picked to top the Summit League this season in hopes of three-peating. Seniors Joslyn Richardson and Sylvie Zgonc were named players to watch in 2026.
• SDSU adds four newcomers to its roster this year: transfers Anna Johannson (New Mexico), Patrycja Labucka (Florida Southwestern State College), and Claire Logeais (Dayton), alongside former Jackrabbit women's basketball standout Brooklyn Meyer.
• Sunday's match will mark the first-ever meeting between Villanova and South Dakota State, with first serve set for 1 p.m.

 
Streaming for the Pepperdine match will be available via ESPN+, while all three contests will have live statistics found on StatBroadcast.
 
Keep up with the Villanova University volleyball program through social media by following on X (@NovaVolleyball) and Instagram (@novavolleyball) and 'liking' on Facebook (/NovaVolleyball).