Reigning Big West Champion Cal Poly Volleyball Announces 2025 Schedule
7/3/2025 12:00:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. — As they enter their 46th year of Division I competition, the defending Big West regular season champion Cal Poly Mustangs have unveiled their 2025 schedule, setting their sights on a seventh overall title and a third set of back-to-back championships (‘84, ’06, ’07, ‘17, ‘18, ’24).
Though Cal Poly made three straight NCAA Tournament appearances from 2017-19, the program has been striving to return ever since. Last season, despite capturing the Big West regular season crown, the Mustangs fell just short in the conference tournament finals against eventual champion Hawai’i, battling hard despite the absence of key players Tommi Stockham and Emme Bullis due to injury. With an RPI of 75, Cal Poly narrowly missed an at-large NCAA bid, fueling their determination to make a long-awaited return in 2025.
Once again, reigning Big West Coach of the Year Caroline Walters has crafted a challenging non-conference slate, testing her squad against elite competition to prepare for one of the most competitive leagues in the West Region. The Mustangs will face five Power-4 opponents, including three 2024 NCAA Tournament teams that finished with top-30 RPI rankings, and for the first time in Walters' tenure the Mustangs will host a pair of home tournaments before the Big West slate begins.
We are excited to unveil our 2025 schedule, one of our most ambitious yet! For the first time in my 17 years, we will be hosting two preseason tournaments, and as always will travel to play some tough road matches.Head Coach Caroline Walters
The Mustangs launch their 30-match campaign with back-to-back road tournaments, beginning in Minneapolis as Minnesota, one of three 2024 NCAA Tournament teams on Cal Poly’s early slate, hosts the season opener on August 29 at 4 p.m.
The No. 18 Golden Gophers (per the final 2024 AVCA rankings) present a formidable first test before the Mustangs take on Saint Thomas (Aug. 30, Noon) and Ball State (Aug. 31, 9 a.m.), both coming off double-digit win seasons in their respective conferences.
Next, Cal Poly heads to Fayetteville for the Wooo Pig Invitational, where they’ll face Arkansas in a highly anticipated rematch after last year’s clash in the Mustang Invitational. The Razorbacks anchor a tough field that includes Tulsa (Sept. 4, 5 p.m.) and 2024 NCAA Tournament qualifier Oklahoma (Sept. 6, 10 a.m.), with the showdown against host Arkansas (Sept. 5, 5 p.m.) serving as the centerpiece.
The Mustangs then return home to Mott Athletics Center for a pair of tournaments, beginning with the 2025 Mustang Invitational. Cal Poly opens with a three-match homestand over four days, starting with the official home opener against Northern Colorado (Sept. 11, 6 p.m.), followed by a Power-4 showdown with California (Sept. 12, 6 p.m.), and concluding against San Jose State (Sept. 14, 3 p.m.).
The action continues the following week with the SLO Classic, where the Mustangs face Saint Mary's (Sept. 18, 6 p.m.) before taking on 2024 NCAA Tournament qualifier Utah (Sept. 19, 6 p.m.), their final non-conference test against a tournament team. Cal Poly then closes out non-conference play with a preview of future Big West competition, hosting Cal Baptist (Sept. 20, 4 p.m.), one of three new programs (alongside Utah Valley and Sacramento State) set to join the conference in 2026 following the departures of UC Davis and Hawai'i.
Each of the two home tournaments can be attended by purchasing a $20 Tournament Pass that includes all matches for the competition.
Plenty of huge and memorable accomplishments from this season, all capped off by a Big West regular season title, a Coach of the Year nod, and Tommi Stockham earning her fourth All-Conference First Team honor! ??#RideHigh pic.twitter.com/bUiMoeYyua
— Cal Poly Volleyball (@CalPolyVolley) December 13, 2024
The Mustangs stormed to the 2024 Big West regular season championship with a 14-4 conference record, suffering their only series loss to Hawai'i while sweeping six opponents, including dominant straight-set victories over UC Santa Barbara, CSUN, Cal State Bakersfield, UC Irvine, and Cal State Fullerton.
Cal Poly launches its title defense with a September 26 home opener on High School and Club Volleyball Appreciation Night against CSUN (6 p.m.), followed by a September 27 matchup (5 p.m.) against Breklyn Pulling's former team, Cal State Bakersfield. The Mustangs then hit the road for pivotal early tests at UC San Diego (October 3, 6 p.m.) and Long Beach State (October 4, 4 p.m.), which they'll play at the Walter Pyramid, this year's Big West Championship venue.
A special Tuesday night Blue-Green Rivalry showdown ("Green Out" Match) against UC Santa Barbara (October 7, 6 p.m.) sets the stage for the season's most anticipated road trip - a October 10 championship rematch at Hawai'i (10 p.m.). Returning home, the Mustangs enjoy a favorable mid-October stretch with three home matches: A second Club Volleyball Appreciation Night against UC Irvine on October 17, Cal State Fullerton on October 18, and UC Davis (free admission with a Football ticket) on October 25 bookending a single road test at UC Riverside (October 23). Due to the conference's 18-game schedule, Cal Poly will face UC Davis and UC Riverside just once this season.
The second half kicks off with a Halloween weekend trip to Cal State Bakersfield (October 31) and CSUN (November 1), followed by crucial November home dates for Junior High Night against Long Beach State (November 7) and a third Club Volleyball Appreciation Night versus UC San Diego (November 8).
The regular season's final week features a November 13 trip to UC Santa Barbara before the Mustangs' last scheduled meeting with Hawai'i as conference rivals, a November 15 home finale in which fans can participate in a “Black Out” and help celebrate Senior Night.
Cal Poly closes its campaign with road tests at Cal State Fullerton (November 21) and UC Irvine (November 22), with potential qualification for the November 26-29 Big West Championships at Long Beach State awaiting.
The balance of the schedule will help develop resiliency and give our team a multitude of opportunities to gain great experience as we prepare for the always competitive Big West season culminating, most importantly, in the Big West Conference Championship.Head Coach Caroline Walters
Several Mustangs etched their names in the program's history books during last season's championship run. Breklyn Pulling earned All-Big West First Team honors and was named Cal Poly Female Newcomer of the Year. Tommi Stockham cemented her legacy as one of the program's all-time greats, becoming just the second Mustang and 14th player in Big West history to earn four First Team selections while finishing third in Cal Poly's career kills list.
Emme Bullis (Second Team, 3,000+ career assists) and outside hitter Amy Hiatt (Honorable Mention) both earned conference honors as well while Chloe Leluge and Elif Hurriyet both made an immediate impacts, earning All-Freshman and Honorable Mention recognition.
Head coach Caroline Walters reached dual milestones, claiming Big West Coach of the Year honors (joining just three other Mustang coaches) and notching her 100th career victory on November 9, 2024.
The 2025 squad faces significant turnover, graduating program legend Tommi Stockham along with Lizzy Markovska, Kate Slack, Kirra Kellerman, and Amy Hiatt. The team also bids farewell to inspirational leader Brooklyn Burns, who medically retired. Despite these losses, the Mustangs return formidable talent, particularly in the middle where Breklyn Pulling (2.35 kills/set, .347 hitting percentage) and Chloe Leluge (2.07 kills/set, .356 hitting percentage) form what may be the West Region's most dominant blocking duo.
Setter Emme Bullis returns to build upon her stellar 2024 campaign (10.27 assists/set), poised to climb Cal Poly's record books with another strong season. She'll be backed by capable reserve Sam Callahan, who showcased starting potential during Bullis' injury absence in the Big West Championships. The defensive specialist corps remains intact with Elif Hurriyet (3.50 digs/set), London Haberfield (2.28 digs/set), and Ella Scott providing stability in the back row.
Replacing last season's primary outside hitters presents the biggest challenge, with Stockham, Markovska and Hiatt all departed. Sophomore Kendall Beshear (2.33 kills/set) returning as a fantastic swing hitter option, while Emma Frederick and Annabelle Thalken will see expanded roles on the outside. The offense could receive a boost from junior college transfer Kayla Murdoch, who redshirted last season.
Four incoming freshmen will also join the squad to battle for spots on the court: libero Maren O'Farrell, middle blocker Charlotte Kelly, setter Brooke Hansen, and outside hitter Aveya Stone.
Congrats to Breklyn Pulling from Volleyball on being named Cal Poly's Female Newcomer of the Year!
— Cal Poly Mustangs (@CPMustangs) June 3, 2025
Breklyn, a transfer from CSUB, was named First Team All-Big West, leading the team in blocks and helping the Mustangs win the Big West regular season title.#RideHigh pic.twitter.com/YldWR0Se9M
To view the entire 2025 schedule, click HERE. Season tickets will be made available for purchase soon and can be found HERE. The Link for the Stampede Club can be found at the top of this article.
You can also support the Cal Poly volleyball program and directly benefit and impact the success of Mustang student-athletes in the classroom and in competition by clicking HERE.
The Mustangs are hosting an All Skills Overnight Camp from July 18-20, and plenty of spots are still available for both commuters and overnighters! Sign up HERE!
