Box Score

Fresno Pacific FPU 25-1,11-1 PacWest

Point Loma PL 24-4,11-1 PacWest

Fresno Pacific FPU

25-1,11-1 PacWest

Final

Nov. 21, 2025

Point Loma PL

24-4,11-1 PacWest

Set Scores
Team	1	2	3	4	5	F
Fresno Pacific FPU	17	27	25	14	27	(3)
Point Loma PL	25	25	12	25	25	(2)

Game Recap: Women's Volleyball | 11/21/2025 11:52:00 PM

'Birds Win it All! FPU Tabbed 2025 PacWest Conference Champions

HONOLULU - For all the marbles, the two nationally-ranked teams in the PacWest Conference met yet again in the final showdown at the PacWest Volleyball Championships. Having defeated Chaminade the day prior, the No. 10 'Birds gave everything they had left in the tank to triumph over No. 6 Point Loma in a five-set nail biter. The final set came down to the wire, surpassing the 15 point marker, and ended with a commanding score of 27-25.

The first set commenced with Fresno Pacific taking an early lead at 2-0, highlighted by a kill from Geneva Elliott assisted by Mikayla Weiss. Despite Point Loma's efforts to keep pace, the Sunbirds managed to stay competitive, tying the score multiple times, notably at 8-8 after a kill by Madelyn Feramisco. However, Point Loma began to pull away midway through the set, capitalizing on attack errors by FPU and a service ace by Kyra Miles to establish a lead. Saren Rogers sealed the set for PLNU with a kill at 25-17.

Fresno Pacific secured a narrow victory in the second set, ending with a score of 27-25. The set began with FPU capitalizing on a service error from Point Loma, and they quickly moved to a 3-0 lead with contributions from Makayla Smith and Cambria Waites. Point Loma retaliated with Rogers and Jill Leslie each delivering kills, bringing the score to 5-4. The teams exchanged points, with notable kills from Itzel Aguayo and Elliott for Fresno Pacific, maintaining a close scoreline throughout. The decisive point came from an attack error by Leslie that followed a Waites kill to clinch the set for FPU at 27-25.

The third and fourth set of the match were less typical of the two teams. FPU claimed the third with an easy 25-12 score, whereas Point Loma sprung back in the fourth to take the set 25-14. Similar to the previous week's showdown in San Diego, the two ranked teams would go the distance in the 15-point tie-breaker in the last set.

Fighting tooth and nail, point for point in a set that featured 18 ties and 11 lead changes alone, the two teams were relentless, like a couple of seasoned heavywieghts trading blows. The Sunbirds reached championship point at 14-13 but freshman and All-PacWest Second-Team selection Feramisco was sidelined with what appeared to be a light knock to her ankle. Enter frequent outside contributor Rachel Plantinga, who in Feramisco's place registered two key kills and eight crucial digs to keep the match alive. Waites and Elliott were instrumental, each scoring key points, with Waites delivering multiple kills, including a crucial one at 20-20 and another to tie the game at 23-23. Weiss played a pivotal role, contributing assists and a decisive kill at 24-24. The set remained tight, with both teams exchanging leads, until a final push by Fresno Pacific, aided by an attack error by Rogers, clinched the set and the match. The No. 10 'Birds secured a hard-fought victory in the fifth set, by a score of 27-25.

"I have never seen or been a part of match quite like this, especially in the fifth set," said Fresno Pacific head coach and PacWest Coach of the Year Kelsee Montagna. "Emotionally, that's what you sign up for, it's why you coach and play to be in a match like that. It was a very physical match, and that's what we work on every day in practice. Our girls work so hard and they love each other so much. They have so much grit and they trust each other to do their jobs."

Weiss recorded 46 assists and added 15 digs, contributing significantly to the team's defensive efforts with five total blocks. Elliott tallied nine kills and led the team with eight total blocks, showcasing her capabilities at the net. Waites posted 16 kills and matched the defensive intensity with 15 digs and seven blocks. All three starters were selected to the PacWest Conference All-Tournament team with Waites recognized as the tournament's Most Outstanding Player. Defensively, libero Castaneda excelled, gathering 29 digs to support the back row.

Tremendous grit, passion, and unwavering teamwork brought the Sunbirds to this unforgettable milestone. The 'Birds are the PacWest Volleyball Champions for the first time in program history and have earned a berth in the NCAA regional tournament. Since moving from NAIA to NCAA competition, this is FPU's most-accomplished season that adds to a legacy that includes six NAIA National Championships.

Four-year player and two-time All-PacWest First Team selection Waites reminisced on this team's place in FPU Volleyball's illustrious history, adding, "It's such an accomplishment. At the beginning of the season our main goal was to win the PacWest. We're going to get back in the gym and get back to it, because we have more to go."

"I'm super excited to bring that culture back to Fresno," added Montagna. "We're finally packing the stands and people are talking about us in the community."

The site and seeding for the NCAA regionals will be announced on Monday. This victory feels like the perfect closing chapter on their PacWest era as the team prepares to transition to the CCAA next season.

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