Weekly Recap
San Diego women’s sports really said, “No off weekends allowed.” From record crowds to five-set thrillers and celebrity showdowns, the vibes were high and the wins kept coming.
Highlights:
SDSU hoops fed off a record crowd of 8,000+ fans, survived a nervy one vs. New Mexico, then doubled down by knocking off previously undefeated-in-conference UNLV. 🏀
UC San Diego remains spotless in the Big West at 7–0, rolling past CSUN and CSUB like a team with places to be. 🏀
The San Diego Mojo snagged their first win of the season in a dramatic five-set battle against Atlanta, also the first W for new head coach Alisha Childress. 🏐
A sold-out celebrity charity soccer match hosted by Mia Hamm and Alex Morgan delivered laughs, goals, and good vibes, with Team Morgan claiming a 7–4 victory. ⚽️
SDSU and USD tennis each split their weekend matchups, while San Diego’s spring sports slate stayed busy across the board. 🎾
Poll check: Kailen Sheridan ran away as the fans’ favorite player, and in this week’s poll we want to know: When sea-level athletes head to altitude, what juice are they drinking to survive? 👀
San Diego State
SDSU basketball wins two, undefeated in conference
Kennedy Lee hit five three pointers against New Mexico. Derrick Tuskan / San Diego State
Takeaway: The Aztecs extended their win streak to 10 games while the 8-0 start in conference play is the best ever in program history.
Aztecs tennis starts with clean sweep of Point Loma
SDSU players Jo‑Yee Chan (left) and Vessa Turley celebrate.
SDSU swept PLNU on their season opener with a 7-0 victory on Saturday. Read more here.
The Aztecs played UCLA on Sunday, but fell 5-2 to the 17th-ranked Bruins.
Takeaway: The 1-1 Aztecs got two matches under their belts and will travel to Georgia for the ITA Kickoff Weekend, confident in each other and their play styles.
SDSU Cheer and Dance bring the heat in performances at nationals
Photo Credit: SDSU Cheerleading
At the UCA Nationals in Orlando this past weekend, SDSU Cheer placed 2nd overall in the Division IA All-Girl category, delivering one of their strongest routines ever.
SDSU Dance also turned heads, advancing to the finals in both Jazz and Hip Hop and securing top-five finishes in each with dynamic, high-energy performances.
Takeaway: The Aztecs are a highly anticipated university to watch at Nationals each year, and the teams delivered once again.
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San Diego Mojo Pro Volleyball
Mojo win first match of the season at home in five sets
Maya Tabron on the attack. Ryan Young/San Diego Mojo
The Mojo (1-3) defeated the Atlanta Vibe (2-2) for the first time in nine all-time meetings.
Grace Loberg earned career highs of 26 points, 23 kills and 17 digs while setter Marlie Monserez recorded her third straight double-double with 55 assists and 19 digs.
Takeaway: First-year Mojo coach Alisha Childress cleared a major hurdle with her first win of the season.
It’s not to late to secure your discounted tickets to the 100-level men’s and women’s tournaments taking place Jan. 26 - Feb.1 at the Barnes Tennis Center. Use HERSPORTS20 for 20% off.
UC San Diego
UCSD basketball undefeated in Big West action
Mikayla Rose. Izzy Cruz / UC San Diego Athletics
Defense fueled offense as UC San Diego forced 40 total turnovers across wins over CSUN and CSUB, turning them into 58 points. The Tritons controlled both games with relentless on-ball pressure and active hands.
The Tritons have balanced scoring from Sabrina Ma and Erin Condron, showcasing a Triton offense that can lean on multiple scorers night after night.
Takeaway: In UC San Diego’s undefeated Big West run, they are dictating games with defense, depth and composure, a formula that has them 7–0 and locked in a first-place tie with UC Irvine.
University of San Diego
USD basketball seeking its next WCC win after loss to Zags
Hallie Rhodes is averaging ten points per game. Alec Henden / USD Athletics
USD struggled on the road, falling 87–42 to WCC power Gonzaga at the McCarthey Athletic Center on Saturday afternoon. Read more here.
Kylie Ray paced the Toreros, finishing with 13 points in San Diego’s lone game of the week.
Takeaway: San Diego ran into one of the WCC’s toughest teams, using the road test as another learning moment during conference play.
USD tennis opened strong against cross town rival UCSD
USD opened 2026 with a statement, earning a 5–2 win over crosstown rival UC San Diego at the Skip and Cindy Hogan Tennis Center on Saturday, highlighted by four straight singles victories.
Charlotte Keitel clinched the match, while Maria Shmakova, Vilma Krebs Hyllested and Hannah Read all earned straight-set wins to power the Toreros past the Tritons.
Takeaway: After opening the year with a confidence-boosting 5–2 win over UC San Diego, USD was tested by No. 5 LSU in a 4–0 loss, underscoring both the Toreros’ early momentum and the level they’re aiming to reach.
Point Loma Nazarene
Point Loma basketball gets their revenge
PLNU is now in the PacWest title conversation with the Saturday win. Shannon Hardy / PLNU Athletics
The Sea Lions faced Azusa Pacific on Saturday after losing to them in December, and won in dominant fashion, 80-55.
Eiley Tippins tied her career best of 25 points while Ruby Vlahov described that the team needed the win for themselves, not so much the conference standings. Read about it here.
Takeaway: With the win, PLNU is now in second place in the PacWest conference with a five game win streak under their belt.
Charity Celebrity Soccer Match
Alex Morgan and Mia Hamm Unite for Star-Studded Charity Celebrity Match at USC
Alex Morgan takes part in The Goal Cup, a celebrity charity match bringing soccer stars together to expand access and opportunities for women and girls in sports. Dakota Gray / Her Sports San Diego
Soccer icons Alex Morgan and Mia Hamm united high-profile rosters at USC’s Rawlinson Stadium for the debut of The Goal Cup.
The celebrity match raised funds for the Alex Morgan Foundation and the Mia Hamm Foundation, nonprofits dedicated to expanding access and opportunities for women and girls in sports.
Team Morgan outpaced Team Hamm 7-4, claiming the inaugural Goal Cup trophy during a day centered on building up women’s sports through competition and community.
Takeaway: The Goal Cup showcased the lasting influence of two USWNT icons, using the game as a platform to inspire, give back, and invest in the future of women’s sports.
Get Loud
Poll: What’s your guess?
We’ll share results and uncover more next week.
The Mountain West conference has more teams that compete in arenas above 4500 feet than any other conference. The athletes who live and train at sea level need something to aid their play at altitude.
What type of juice do athletes drink to support their recovery time when competing at altitude?
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Until Wednesday,
Her Sports San Diego
