Fall is closing in, and we’re helping you get ready for San Diego’s Division I volleyball and soccer. We’ll start with the local match ups, then preview the season — there’s so much to love. Let’s go!

Sept 18 | SDSU vs UC San Diego | Peterson Gym | Time TBD | SDSU Season Tix

Sept 19 | SDSU vs USD | Peterson Gym | Time TBD | SDSU Season Tix

Sept 20 | USD vs UC San Diego | Jenny Craig Pavilion | 7 pm | USD Season Tix

🏐 The University of San Diego Toreros enter the 2025 season with momentum and a veteran core after a strong 2024 season where they went 19–9 overall and 14–4 in West Coast Conference play. Head Coach Jennifer Petrie, who notched her 500th career win in a sweep over Gonzaga, continues to guide a talented squad that includes returning standouts like Kylie Munday (WCC Setter of the Year) and Isabel Clark (WCC Freshman of the Year), both now sophomores. They’re joined by All-WCC honorees Nemo Beach and Kennedy Osunsanmi, giving USD one of the most balanced and experienced lineups in the WCC.

The team is currently competing at the 2025 World University Games in Berlin, and has defeated Teams Australia, Chile, and Mongolia. With momentum from last season and a returning core of award-winning underclassmen, the Toreros are poised to be at the top of the WCC in the 2025–26 campaign. Petrie continues to lead with a blend of championship experience and player development savvy—the same formula that took USD to the 2022 Final Four and a No. 3 national ranking. Check their schedule here.

🏐 The San Diego State Aztecs closed out their Fall 2024 women’s volleyball campaign with a standout 20-10 overall record and an 11-7 mark in Mountain West play—the program’s strongest showing in recent years under sixth-year head coach Brent Hilliard, a former Olympian and NCAA Player of the Year. SDSU surged into the Mountain West tournament, defeating No. 4 Fresno State in the opening round before falling to eventual champion Colorado State. Offensively, the Aztecs impressed with sharp hitting efficiency and big numbers at the net, including a 40-kill outing against Nevada. Opposite Taylor Underwood earned her second straight All-Conference honor, finishing top 10 in the league in kills per set, while libero Gianna Bender emerged as a defensive star, earning multiple Mountain West weekly awards.

With a strong core returning, the Aztecs carry real momentum into the Fall 2025 season and have their sights set on deep tournament runs. Underwood and Bender both sharpened their skills at the USA Volleyball Women’s National Open this spring, signaling their readiness to lead SDSU to the next level. With a battle-tested roster and growing national experience, SDSU is set to challenge for a top spot in the Mountain West once again. Check their schedule here.

🏐 UC San Diego women’s volleyball wrapped up a promising 2024 season with a 17–13 overall record and an 11–7 mark in Big West play, ushering in a new era under first-year head coach Melanie Greene. A former SDSU associate head coach and standout player, Greene quickly made her mark, guiding the Tritons to late-season wins over Bakersfield, Fullerton, and Irvine, then landed the team’s first-ever trip to the Big West Championship, losing in the first round to Long Beach State. UC San Diego’s year showcased the team’s success, growth and future potential.

Heading into 2025, the Tritons return a strong core, including standout sophomores Molly McCluskey, who impressed early with consistent offensive firepower, and Paulina Baillie, a local from Sage Creek High in Carlsbad and one of the Big West’s top liberos. With rising talent and more local pride from players like Katelyn Hernandez (Olympian HS in Sweetwater), and Jasmine Saran and Iris Canko (both from Great Oak HS in Temecula), UCSD is well-positioned to build on last season’s success and make a deeper postseason push this fall.

Aug 6 | SDSU vs USD | SDSU Sports Deck |

Aug 30 | SDSU vs UC San Diego | Snapdragon Stadium | Tickets start at $10 | Parking is free

⚽ SDSU closed out the 2024 season with a 9–8–4 record and a strong 6–2–3 showing in Mountain West play, advancing to the conference tournament semifinals with a 3–1 win over UNLV before falling to Boise State in a close 3–2 match. With the graduation of seven seniors, the Aztecs will look to emerging leaders like senior defender Grace Goins and Ohio State transfer Victoria Miller to anchor the team in 2025. Under the steady leadership of head coach Mike Friesen, now in his 19th season, the program continues to thrive. During his tenure, the team has claimed 11 Mountain West titles and appeared in five NCAA Tournaments.

Looking ahead, SDSU enters the new season with a blend of international and local talent, including players from Norway, Sweden and Canada, as well as hometown standouts like Kailey Carlen, Mia Lane (Eastlake High), Alexis Leath (West Hills High), and Briahna Gieger (Patrick Henry High). With a solid core, strong recruiting pipeline, and a proven coaching staff that includes the July 21 announcement of assistant coach Louis Hunt, the Aztecs have their sights set on a return to the NCAA Tournament—and the potential to push deeper than ever before. Check their schedule here.

⚽ The Toreros wrapped up the 2024 season with a 3–11–5 overall record and a 1–7–2 mark in West Coast Conference play, struggling to find rhythm offensively with just 14 goals scored across the year. In his first season at the helm, head coach Greg LaPorte began laying the groundwork for a cultural and tactical shift, though the team’s lack of a consistent scoring threat and narrow margins led to frequent draws and tough losses.

Looking ahead to 2025, USD is focused on growth, with LaPorte having a full offseason to further develop his system. Mikayla Abrenica, the team’s top scorer in 2024, returns as a key attacking option, and she’ll be joined by a promising group of newcomers—including local standouts Paige Bickley (Santa Fe Christian), Macy Ratermann (West View High), and Hailey Vermilyea (Poway High). With an infusion of fresh talent and a renewed emphasis on chemistry and finishing, the Toreros aim to climb the WCC ranks and reignite their competitive edge. Check their schedule here.

⚽ UC San Diego finished the 2024 season with a 3–12–4 record and a 1–6–3 finish in Big West play, struggling to find consistency on both ends of the field. The Tritons scored just 15 goals while conceding 26, and despite some competitive matches, they couldn’t turn performances into points. Head coach Kristin Jones, who led the program’s transition to Division I, is focused on sharpening the team’s identity with a mix of returning leaders and new faces. “We were really proud, actually, of the soccer we played,” Jones said. “In a lot of metrics and things we look at, most of the games we were outperforming our opponent, and it came down to a lot of individual lapses in concentration.”

This fall, UCSD will lean on veterans like Allie Lou (Francis Parker), Lindsey Park, and Talisa Lin, while welcoming a promising freshman class and several impact transfers. “I think we’ve got a good spread, age and experience-wise,” Jones said. Local standouts to watch include Jenna Grider (Mt. Carmel High), Nadira Haddach (Del Norte High), Caitlin and Corinne Wilson (Point Loma High), Andrea Guillen (Gompers Prep), and Chloe Lee Yates (Carlsbad High). With stronger depth and leadership, the Tritons hope to rise in a wide-open conference race. “I think the Big West is up for grabs,” Jones said. “That’s always our goal—to be near the top at the end of the season and give ourselves a chance at the Big West Tournament, to hopefully get the AQ (Automatic Qualifier) for the NCAA Tournament.” Check their schedule here.