Mustangs Picked to Finish First by Big West Coaches; Beshear, Fredrick, Leluge Honored
8/21/2026 9:30:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. — Cal Poly volleyball, the reigning Big West and Los Angeles Regional champion, enters the 2026 season as the overwhelming favorite to repeat as conference champion, while three Mustangs earned individual preseason honors.
The Big West conference office announced Friday that the Mustangs topped the Preseason Coaches’ Poll with 121 total points, receiving 11 of 12 first-place votes. Cal Poly outdistanced second-ranked Long Beach State by a decisive 12 points. The full poll and release can be found on the Big West website HERE.
“Being picked first is a reflection of the consistency our program has built, winning back-to-back Big West Championships and continuing to raise the standard. At the same time, we know a preseason poll doesn’t win you anything,” seventh-year head coach Caroline Walters said.
Cal Poly’s historic NCAA Tournament run last season captivated the Central Coast and elevated the program onto the national stage once again. The appearance marked the program’s seventh Sweet 16 berth and its second under the current 64-team NCAA Tournament format. It was also the Mustangs’ first trip to the tournament’s third round since 2007.
The Mustangs finished with 27 victories, the most under Walters and the program’s highest win total since 2017. Cal Poly’s season ended in the Lexington Regional semifinals against eventual national runner-up Kentucky.
For its efforts, Cal Poly finished No. 21 in the final AVCA Coaches Poll, its highest year-end ranking since finishing No. 11 in 2007. The ranking marked the 13th time in program history the Mustangs have finished a season nationally ranked and represents the program's highest in-season ranking since reaching No. 13 in November 2018.
We’re proud of the expectations surrounding this program, but our focus is on earning it every day, getting a little better, continuing to grow, and putting ourselves in position to be playing our best volleyball when it matters mostHead Coach Caroline Walters
Along with the team recognition, three returning Mustang starters landed on the Big West Preseason Coaches’ Team. Junior outside hitter Kendall Beshear, senior outside hitter Emma Fredrick, and junior middle blocker Chloe Leluge were selected alongside UC San Diego’s Molly McCluskey (OPP), Sacramento State’s Victoria Marthaler (OH), UC Santa Barbara’s Gabi Martinez (OH), and Long Beach State’s Madi Maxwell (S).
“Having Kendall, Emma and Chloe recognized is a great reflection of the consistency and impact they’ve had within our program. All three played such important roles in what we accomplished last season, and what excites me most is that they’re still hungry to grow,” Walters said.
Beshear led the team with 0.41 service aces per set last season while contributing on both sides of the ball with 3.07 kills per set and 2.33 digs per set. She was one of two Mustangs to earn First Team All-Big West honors and was a standout in Cal Poly’s NCAA Los Angeles Regional run, posting a double-double of 12 kills and 14 digs in the tournament final against host USC, along with two aces.
Fredrick led the Mustangs last season with 3.35 kills per set and was also lethal from the service line, averaging 0.29 aces per set. Even as a pin hitter, she tallied 2.75 digs per set, receiving an All-Big West Honorable Mention, in part, for her two-way ability.
Chloe Leluge became Cal Poly’s all-time career hitting percentage leader last season, posting a .377 season average (.368 career) and collecting 2.28 kills per set. The Big West Championship Most Outstanding Player also earned Second Team All-Big West and All-Pacific Region Honorable Mention honors, becoming the first Mustang recognized by the AVCA since Maia Dvoracek in 2022.
They compete, play with confidence, and represent the standard we want in our gym every day. We’re excited to see them continue to take another step this season.Head Coach Caroline Walters
Cal Poly is wrapping up its training period before the reigning Big West and Los Angeles Regional Champions head to College Station for a trio of non-conference tourney matches from Aug. 28-30.
The season begins Aug. 28 in a neutral-site matchup against GCU at 3:30 p.m. before a marquee showdown the following evening at 5 p.m. against tournament host and NCAA champs Texas A&M. Cal Poly closes the opening weekend Aug. 30 against reigning Sun Belt champion Arkansas State.
Texas A&M enters 2026 as the defending national champion after finishing 29-4 overall and No. 1 in the final AVCA Coaches Poll. The Aggies stunned previously unbeaten Nebraska and national runner-up Kentucky en route to the program's first national championship.
Only matches against Texas A&M will be streamed on SECN+. Schedule and match info can be found HERE.
