California State University Northridge Athletics
Photo by: Connor Clark
CSUN Picked to Finish Sixth in Big West Preseason Coaches' Poll
8/21/2026 10:49:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
NORTHRIDGE, Calif. - CSUN Women's Volleyball earned 64 points to tie for sixth in the 2026 Big West Women's Volleyball Preseason Coaches' Poll released on Friday, Aug. 21.
After leading CSUN to 27 wins in his first two seasons, Aquiles Montoya opens his third season with the Matadors earning their highest preseason poll position since 2021. CSUN finished 17-13 overall in 2025, finishing fifth in the Big West at 10-8, its best conference wins total since 2014.
"Our team has seen a lot and they know that preseason polls are fun, but that they don't paint the whole picture," said Montoya. "Do I believe our group can finish higher than what we were predicted just like last year? Absolutely. But to me what this says is how stacked this new looking Big West is.
"I'm very confident of what we can get this group to be, but I also see the Big West as very deep with new and returning talent, as well as great coaches," he added. "It'll be fun year, and I'm excited to get out on the floor with this hungry group."
Cal Poly, defending Big West champion and NCAA regional participant from a year ago, was picked to defend its title with 11 first-place votes. The Mustangs earned every possible nod and the highest points available after the Cinderella run to the Sweet 16 accumulating 121 points from the league's 12 head coaches. Second in the polling with 109 total points is Long Beach State (22-9, 14-4 BW in 2025), followed by  UC Santa Barbara (23-9, 14-4 BW in 2025) came in third in the voting, pulling in 99 total points.Â
Newcomer to the conference and 2025 WAC champion Utah Valley (16-11, 10-2 WAC in 2025) accumulated 84 total points and the final first-place vote to rank fourth in the poll.  Fifth place in the listing belongs to Sacramento State after tallying 80 points as the squad prepares for their inaugural season as full Big West members. A tie in the votes is seen at sixth with CSUN and UC Irvine both knotted at 64 points. Should the predictions ring true, the final two slots in the 2026 Big West Women's Volleyball Championship would be filled by the Matadors and Anteaters, mirroring the final two teams in the 2025 field. For CSUN, last season's entry into the postseason was their first, while UCI made a third-straight bracket. Â
Sitting in eighth in the poll with 60 points is UC San Diego. The Tritons are followed by California Baptist (35 points), UC Riverside (34), Cal State Fullerton (24) and Cal State Bakersfield (18) rounds out the poll.
CSUN opened the 2026 season with an exhibition match against UCLA on Thursday, and will play one final home exhibition on Saturday (Aug. 22) against Pepperdine at 1 p.m. The Matadors will officially open the season at the Buffs Classic in Boulder, Colo., on Aug. 28. In Boulder, CSUN will meet the host Buffaloes, Denver, and Central Arkansas from Aug. 28-30. The Matadors will next travel to Manhattan, Kansas, to take on Kansas State and Drake on Sept. 4-5, before returning to the Valley for the second annual Ridge Invitational. From Sept. 11-13, CSUN will host six matches featuring UNLV, San Francisco, and Fresno State.
Fans can get ready for the season with a new and innovative approach to team-by-team preseason previews. Each day, analysis and insights from the tandem of Chloe Clark and Rob Espero will hit The Big West's social media accounts with full coach interviews appearing on YouTube for even more insider information before the 2026 campaign begins. Â
First serve across The Big West is set for Friday, Aug. 28, with 11 of 12 teams in high-flying action across the country including two on their home court. Saturday, the final squad hits the hardwood as every team opens up the season. Conference play around The Big West commences on Thursday, Sept. 24, with all three newcomers to the league in the spotlight. Additionally, preseason favorite Cal Poly heads to UC Santa Barbara for the Blue-Green Rivalry match on Thursday, Oct. 22 at 7:30 p.m. in a nationally televised game on ESPNU to showcase The Big West on the big stage. Â
All told, nearly 150 women's volleyball broadcasts across The Big West landscape will also be available to fans through ESPN+ throughout the year. Click here for upcoming listings to watch all 12 Big West member-institutions in action.
2026 Big West Women's Volleyball Preseason Coaches' Poll
Â
() - First-place votes
#GoMatadors
After leading CSUN to 27 wins in his first two seasons, Aquiles Montoya opens his third season with the Matadors earning their highest preseason poll position since 2021. CSUN finished 17-13 overall in 2025, finishing fifth in the Big West at 10-8, its best conference wins total since 2014.
"Our team has seen a lot and they know that preseason polls are fun, but that they don't paint the whole picture," said Montoya. "Do I believe our group can finish higher than what we were predicted just like last year? Absolutely. But to me what this says is how stacked this new looking Big West is.
"I'm very confident of what we can get this group to be, but I also see the Big West as very deep with new and returning talent, as well as great coaches," he added. "It'll be fun year, and I'm excited to get out on the floor with this hungry group."
Cal Poly, defending Big West champion and NCAA regional participant from a year ago, was picked to defend its title with 11 first-place votes. The Mustangs earned every possible nod and the highest points available after the Cinderella run to the Sweet 16 accumulating 121 points from the league's 12 head coaches. Second in the polling with 109 total points is Long Beach State (22-9, 14-4 BW in 2025), followed by  UC Santa Barbara (23-9, 14-4 BW in 2025) came in third in the voting, pulling in 99 total points.Â
Newcomer to the conference and 2025 WAC champion Utah Valley (16-11, 10-2 WAC in 2025) accumulated 84 total points and the final first-place vote to rank fourth in the poll.  Fifth place in the listing belongs to Sacramento State after tallying 80 points as the squad prepares for their inaugural season as full Big West members. A tie in the votes is seen at sixth with CSUN and UC Irvine both knotted at 64 points. Should the predictions ring true, the final two slots in the 2026 Big West Women's Volleyball Championship would be filled by the Matadors and Anteaters, mirroring the final two teams in the 2025 field. For CSUN, last season's entry into the postseason was their first, while UCI made a third-straight bracket. Â
Sitting in eighth in the poll with 60 points is UC San Diego. The Tritons are followed by California Baptist (35 points), UC Riverside (34), Cal State Fullerton (24) and Cal State Bakersfield (18) rounds out the poll.
CSUN opened the 2026 season with an exhibition match against UCLA on Thursday, and will play one final home exhibition on Saturday (Aug. 22) against Pepperdine at 1 p.m. The Matadors will officially open the season at the Buffs Classic in Boulder, Colo., on Aug. 28. In Boulder, CSUN will meet the host Buffaloes, Denver, and Central Arkansas from Aug. 28-30. The Matadors will next travel to Manhattan, Kansas, to take on Kansas State and Drake on Sept. 4-5, before returning to the Valley for the second annual Ridge Invitational. From Sept. 11-13, CSUN will host six matches featuring UNLV, San Francisco, and Fresno State.
Fans can get ready for the season with a new and innovative approach to team-by-team preseason previews. Each day, analysis and insights from the tandem of Chloe Clark and Rob Espero will hit The Big West's social media accounts with full coach interviews appearing on YouTube for even more insider information before the 2026 campaign begins. Â
First serve across The Big West is set for Friday, Aug. 28, with 11 of 12 teams in high-flying action across the country including two on their home court. Saturday, the final squad hits the hardwood as every team opens up the season. Conference play around The Big West commences on Thursday, Sept. 24, with all three newcomers to the league in the spotlight. Additionally, preseason favorite Cal Poly heads to UC Santa Barbara for the Blue-Green Rivalry match on Thursday, Oct. 22 at 7:30 p.m. in a nationally televised game on ESPNU to showcase The Big West on the big stage. Â
All told, nearly 150 women's volleyball broadcasts across The Big West landscape will also be available to fans through ESPN+ throughout the year. Click here for upcoming listings to watch all 12 Big West member-institutions in action.
2026 Big West Women's Volleyball Preseason Coaches' Poll
Â
| Rank | Team | Pts |
| 1. | Cal Poly (11) | 121 |
| 2. | Long Beach State | 109 |
| 3. | UC Santa Barbara | 99 |
| 4. | Utah Valley (1) | 84 |
| 5. | Sacramento State | 80 |
| 6. | CSUN | 64 |
| 6. | UC Irvine | 64 |
| 8. | UC San Diego | 60 |
| 9. | California Baptist | 35 |
| 10. | UC Riverside | 34 |
| 11. | Cal State Fullerton | 24 |
| 12. | Cal State Bakersfield | 18 |
() - First-place votes
#GoMatadors
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