Mustang Beach Volleyball Picked as Big West Favorites by Coaches
2/12/2026 12:11:00 PM | Beach Volleyball
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. — With the 2026 beach volleyball season right around the corner, the Cal Poly beach volleyball has been picked to win the Big West in the Preseason Coaches’ Poll released Thursday.
The Mustangs, who are back-to-back NCAA Championship Semifinalists, received 35 total points and five of seven first place votes. They finished three points ahead of last year’s champion Long Beach State.
Cal Poly will be led this year by three returning AVCA All-Americans and seven players who that earned All-Big West honors last year. They are highlighted by Erin Inskeep, Izzy Martinez, Logan Walter, Ella Connor, Quinn Perry, Elise Lenahan, and Maddy Byrne.
They also added several talented newcomers, which include four talented Division I transfers. They brought in Ashleigh Adams from FAU and Julia Westby from Long Beach State, both of whom were AVCA All-Americans last season. They also bring in Bailey Showalter from USC with NCAA Championship experience. Peyton Dueck returns to Cal Poly after spending the last three years on the indoor volleyball team at UCLA. She played on the beach team at Cal Poly as a freshman in 2022, earning Second Team All-Big West honors.
Cal Poly will look to surpass the success from a historic 2025, which saw them reach the semifinals of the NCAA Championships for a second year in a row, match the program record for wins in a season with 31, and a final AVCA ranking of No. 4 in the nation.
The Mustangs will be looking to win the Big West title this season for the first time since 2022. Cal Poly will host the Big West Championship at Swanson Beach Volleyball Complex April 23-24.
