Forward, Together: The Story of FPU Athletics - Fall 2025

Just as a body, though one, has many parts… so it is with Christ.

1 Corinthians 12:12

The fall 2025 season for the Fresno Pacific Sunbirds was not defined by any single win, any specific record or particular moment, but by the collective movement of people pulling in the same direction. Across the board, Sunbird student-athletes, coaches, administrators, and staff all leaned into a shared belief that progress is built together through commitment, mutual trust, and leadership that shows up long before game day. The season unfolded as a testament to forward momentum: teams growing in confidence, leaders elevating those around them, and a department choosing positivity and purpose even in the face of challenge.

In that shared pursuit, Fresno Pacific Athletics didn’t just compete – it pushed forward in every capacity possible. United by effort, strengthened by teamwork, and guided by a vision larger than any single result. This is the story of the Sunbirds in the fall season of 2025.

Volleyball: A Season for the Ages

One of the most striking stories of the fall belonged to Coach Kelsee Montagna’s volleyball program. The 2025 Sunbirds had a historic campaign that saw them set a new standard in their NCAA era while also setting the tone for FPU Athletics across the board this year. Their 27-2 overall record demonstrated their consistency in both non-conference and conference play – an elite overall mark that placed them among the PacWest’s top contenders and set the tone for postseason anticipation. By the season’s end, the Sunbirds were crowned PacWest regular season co-champions as well as PacWest Tournament champions. The ‘Birds played conference rival Point Loma four times – winning the non-conference matchup at home and the tournament final on a neutral court but fell on the road to the Sea Lions in the regular season finale and NCAA West Region final, hosted by Point Loma. Three student-athletes would have nationally-recognized seasons that earned them All-American status.

“The biggest thing I admire most about this team was how they handled adversity and came in to work every single day, Montagna said. “They never questioned who they were or their teammates around them. Instead, they poured love into one another and lifted each other up.”

The Sunbirds opened the season with what would turn out to be one of the few tough tests they would face all season – a five-set, come-from-behind victory over Stanislaus State in the Sunbird Classic. They would sweep five of their next seven games, including a 3-0 road win over last year’s NCAA runners up, San Francisco State. Following a five-set win over Jessup, they would drop only one set over their next seven matches to improve their record to a perfect 13-0. 

The biggest moment of the season would happen against the fifth-ranked Point Loma Nazarene in a non-conference clash at the SEC. The ‘Birds came out swinging and demolished the Sea Lions 25-13 and 25-14 in the first two sets. PLNU would return the favor in the third set by a wide margin, but in the fourth set the Sunbirds’ athleticism and endurance was on display as they defeated the fifth-ranked team in America 25-21 to win the match in four sets. “The highlight moment from the season that sticks with me most is our win against Point Loma at home,” Montagna added. “The win was great but the way we played, and the crowd's energy brought life back to our gym.”

Following the win, the national attention would be turned to Fresno as the ‘Birds cracked the AVCA Coaches Poll at #19. Four matches later, against Vanguard, FPU would drop the first set of a match for the first time all season before rebounding to win in four. The ‘Birds would continue climbing the polls, eventually cracking the top ten. Heading into their final homestand, dates with Hawaii-Hilo and Chaminade loomed. FPU dispatched Hilo on the read early in the season, but the Vulcans had emerged as a legit postseason threat. Chaminade, however, were the reigning PacWest champs and a national powerhouse. The Sunbirds took care of business, winning 3-0 and 3-1 respectively before heading south to close out the regular season. Following a routine win against Biola, a final day showdown was set for the PacWest regular season away to Point Loma. The match was as close as they come, with four of the five sets won by the minimum two points, and the other won by just three points. In what would go down as one of the PacWest’s greatest matches ever, the Sea Lions would come out on top in the fifth set, ending the Sunbirds’ 23-game win streak to split the regular season title. 

Just days later both teams would be off to Honolulu eying a rematch in the PacWest Tournament. The Sunbirds would overpower Chaminade in four sets to set up the rematch the next night. What would ensue was an unforgettable heavyweight slugfest that ended with a 27-25 fifth set in favor of Fresno Pacific. The ‘Birds would get their revenge and hoist their first PacWest Tournament trophy while punching their ticket to the NCAA West Regional as the PacWest’s automatic qualifier. The team would also achieve their highest ranking of the year, #8, which made them as the highest-ranked team on the west coast. “That was a defining moment and true testament to the character of this team,” said Montagna.

The best of the best from the PacWest, CCAA, and GNAC would converge in Point Loma’s Golden Gym for a shot at advancing to the national finals. FPU was the 3-seed, and began with a routine 3-0 win over Western Washington before going the distance the next day with Central Washington, 3-2 to set up the fourth showdown with Point Loma and third in just two weeks. Unfortunately, the match didn’t hold up to the previous two showdowns, and the Sea Lions would win in four sets, advancing to the Elite Eight and ending FPU’s magical run. It was the first time the ‘Birds reached the NCAA Sweet Sixteen. 

The Sunbirds would be ranked #10 in the final AVCA Coaches Poll of 2025 released in mid-December.

Key Moments:

• Undefeated Start: FPU did not lose a game until the final day of the regular season, winning 23 straight contests. 15 of their 29 total matches were 3-0 sweep victories and they reached a fifth set just five times all season.
• National Recognition: The team climbed into national rankings midway through the season before spending numerous weeks inside the AVCA Top Ten. The Sunbirds peaked at #8 heading into the final week of the season – the highest of any West Region program.
• PacWest Titles: FPU were crowned co-PacWest regular season champions with Point Loma Nazarene University. In the PacWest Tournament, the Sunbirds battled through a marathon five sets (with 42 ties and 18 lead changes) over Point Loma to clinch the title.
• NCAA Regionals: FPU advanced in NCAA West Regional action, defeating Western Washington and Central Washington before falling to eventual Final Four participant Point Loma.

Notable Performers:

• Cambria Waites: High-impact attacker and all-around weapon with big-match performances throughout the season and a key asset in regionals. Named an AVCA All-American Honorable Mention as well as All-PacWest First Team, AVCA All-West Region First Team, PacWest Tournament Most Outstanding Player, and NCAA West Region All-Tournament Team. Led the team in kills, points, and service aces.
• Mikayla Weiss: PacWest Setter of the Year; controlled the offense and racked up assists and digs while attacking at a high percentage. Named to the AVCA All-American Third Team, All-PacWest First Team, AVCA All-West Region First Team, D2CCA All-West Region Second Team, PacWest All-Tournament Team, and NCAA West Region All-Tournament Team.
• Geneva Elliott: Had her greatest season ever as a Sunbird in a year it mattered the most. The middle blocker was ranked in the top 10 in hitting percentage nationally all season, and was an AVCA All-American Honorable Mention plus All-PacWest First Team, AVCA All-West Region First Team, D2CCA All-West Region First Team, PacWest All-Tournament Team, NCAA West Region All-Tournament Team.
• Madelyn Feramisco: The PacWest’s Co-Freshman of the Year and All-Second Teamer was the only rookie to earn postseason recognition by the conference.  Second on the team in kills and points, and one who looks to become the next great outside hitter to wear the navy and orange.
• Devyn Casteneda: The ever-present libero was one of two Sunbirds to play in every set this season, averaging 4.33 digs/set. Named to the NCAA West Region All-Tournament Team.

Montagna’s turnaround of the program in two seasons was recognized not once but twice, as she was named PacWest Coach of the Year, as well as the AVCA’s West Region Coach of the Year. In her first season, she turned a 13-19 program into a 3rd place PacWest finish, and by the end of her second had established the Sunbirds as a national powerhouse. 

“This season was a steppingstone for what FPU volleyball is all about,” Montagna said while reflecting on the season. “The record, the awards, the championships, are all things to be proud of but what I am most proud of is who they are. Their character, their ambition; true servant leaders of Christ. This team is something special, and they always will be. They are such an inspiration to the community, to young players around the valley, and to me. I cannot wait to see what is in store for our four seniors in their futures, and for what is in the horizon for this program.”

Men’s Soccer: PacWest Contenders from Start to Finish

The men’s soccer squad delivered a competitive season, blending early challenges with strong mid-season conference wins. Despite a challenging non-conference schedule filled with NCAA Tournament stalwarts, the Sunbird Men finished top-four in the PacWest to advance to their second consecutive conference postseason tournament. Several midseason wins provided momentum, and the coaching staff leaned on a core of experienced defenders and midfielders who helped steady the side through stretches of challenging travel and compact scheduling. FPU’s season would come to an end at the hands of conference champions Point Loma, but Head Coach Cameron Shahrokhi’s squad was able to build on their conference successes from the previous season to solidify their place in the mix atop the conference standings.

“Our men grew a lot this season on and off the pitch,” said Shahrokhi. We had an incredibly talented roster, who faced a ton of adversity. There were moments within the season where we played very high-level soccer. I felt there were many matches where we outplayed our opponent, but the scoreline showed otherwise. Through the humbling defeats and triumphant victories, I appreciated every day of this season.”

Four non-conference clashes with future CCAA rivals began the season, with the ‘Birds dropping results to nationally ranked CSU Los Angeles and CSU San Bernardino as well as CSU East Bay. FPU did, however, defeat UC Merced in their CCAA debut, as well as issue the Bobcats their first home defeat since 2022.

PacWest play opened next and would be a whole different story for the ‘Birds. The three Hawaii schools came through Ramirez Field and all left losers, with FPU outscoring their opposition in the three matches 9-2 with a pair of shutouts. Captain and reigning PacWest leading scorer Lucas Ribeiro, along with University of the Pacific transfer Zion Vaughn started to cook – the pair would combine for six of the nine scores.

A midseason lull hit FPU next – a trio of defeats and a draw – including a 2-1 home loss to Westmont that erupted into pandemonium following a red card decision against the Warriors. It became a bitter memory for the Sunbirds marked by repeated outbursts from the spectators, questionable sideline behavior from the visiting head coach, and a pair of spectacular, late goals scored by the 10-men guests to clinch the defeat. 

With five games remaining in PacWest play and their postseason fate still very much in their hands, the ‘Birds would throttle Dominican 3-1, draw Jessup 2-2, crush CUI 5-2, and score a late winner against Biola 2-1. “Phillip Rico’s game winning goal at Biola is a moment that I will remember for the rest of my coaching career,” Shahrokhi added. “That goal clinched our berth into the playoffs”.

This unbeaten run of four games meant that heading into their final game against Point Loma that FPU controlled their own destiny to qualify for back-to-back PacWest Tournaments. Before kickoff however, Menlo fell to Vanguard and clinched the Sunbirds’ trip to Santa Barbara for the postseason. It was, for the second year, a first-round clash with PacWest champs Point Loma. Last season’s team were able to clip the Sea Lions and advance to the final, but this year’s Point Loma squad were too formidable.  They would eliminate the Sunbirds en route to an NCAA Elite Eight run. 

“It was a great accomplishment to qualify for the conference tournament back-to-back years,” Shahrokhi said after the season. “Although we are disappointed and felt like we could have achieved more with this group.”

Key Moments:

• Strong Conference Runs: A three-game streak to open conference play with wins over Chaminade, Hawaii Pacific, and Hawaii-Hilo got the wheels going for the ‘Birds, and a late-season unbeaten four-game stretch that included three victories put them in the driver’s seat for the postseason.
• Senior Night Success: The Sunbirds sent their seniors out with a high on the final home game of the year, defeating Concordia University Irvine 5-2 in front of a huge crowd of family and friends.
• Impactful Transfers: FPU newcomers made serious contributions to the team’s success with 13 goals coming from transfers. University of the Pacific transfer Zion Vaughn led the way with nine goals.

Notable Performers:

• Zion Vaughn: Key offensive sparkplug with multiple goals off the bench. Led the team in goals (9) and was named to the All-PacWest First Team.
• Lucas Ribeiro: The captain from São Paulo who led the line all season. Scored five goals including a brace against Chaminade.  Two-time All-PacWest performer.
• Chris Macias: Provided energy and impactful offensive support with five goals and assists each. The speedster’s efforts were rewarded with a All-PacWest Second Team honor.
• Julian Aran Martin: The Argentine co-captain embodied the grit and passion of Sunbird Soccer. The center back scored a brace against Chaminade with a pair of headers in the box. Two-time All-PacWest performer.
• Elmer Carballo: Anchored strong defensive performances and key saves in shutout wins. Notched 223 saves in his career as a Sunbird.

After sheading the “Associate” moniker from his title after one season, Head Coach Shahrokhi continued to deliver in his promise to make FPU men’s soccer a contender for years to come. Gains made on and off the pitch show signs of momentum in the Sunbirds’ camp, and back-to-back PacWest Tournament appearances will bode well for the squad as they attempt to level up in the highly-competitive CCAA next season.

“It is a blessing to work with these young men. Watching them grow closer as brothers and be there for each other is something they will carry into the next phase of their lives. The future is bright with this program; We have a lot of returning talent and a great incoming recruiting class. Our coaches are excited to get to work this Spring as we prepare for our inaugural season in the CCAA.”

Women’s Soccer: Hanging Tough and the Push for Progress

The women’s soccer team battled through a challenging slate that included matches against four of the seven NCAA west regional qualifiers and showed resilience in close contests throughout the season. The fall results included a mix of narrow outcomes that were able to swing their way on occasions – a sign of progress for a hard-working squad still looking for that rub of the green that the well-seasoned sides often find in close games. The team saw an increase on offense compared to last season, and, crucially, were able to convert losses into draws when compared to the previous campaign. Despite the results, Head Coach Roberto Hernandez’s coaching staff and players repeatedly emphasized growth – particularly in set-piece defense and pressing triggers – and improvements that should manifest in the spring and in recruiting cycles ahead. 

The Sunbirds opened the season with three matches against premier CCAA competition over the course of nine days, and it was a hard start to say the least. They would suffer heavy defeats to CSU Monterey Bay, Cal Poly Pomona, and Cal Poly Humboldt before beginning to right the ship defensively and keep the games close. Their next six games saw the ‘Birds endure a slew of draws and close defeats – highlighted by a 1-0 loss to Hilo in the final 30 seconds of the contest – that gave them hope and courage in their ability to not let games get away from them like they had earlier in the year.

Following a 3-2 loss to Westmont, the tactics instilled by Coach Hernandez’s team combined with the belief that had been brewing all season on this young and inexperienced roster began to really blossom for the Sunbirds. Across the final eight games of the season, FPU won four, drew three, and lost only one. Freshman Bailey Roberson emerged as a serious scoring threat with four goals during this stretch to turn what had been a challenging season into a promising one in the growth and development of a program in need of rejuvenation. During this eight-game run of form, the ‘Birds took down Jessup on the road 4-3 in a back-and-forth thriller that was followed with a 3-1 home win over UC Santa Cruz, a 1-0 win over then-ranked CUI on senior day, and a gritty 1-0 road win to Biola. Despite falling in the season finale to Point Loma, they had effectively turned the table on their season to finish stronger than they ever thought possible.

An interesting side story throughout the season was that of Sonoma State transfer, Ayana Kirisimasi. The San Diegan was invited to the American Samoa senior women's national team training camp ahead of their FIFA Women's World Cup qualifiers. Kirisimasi impressed, and was called up for a pair of qualifiers. The team would make history in November and December, winning their first two competitive games ever and advancing to the next round of World Cup qualification. Kirisimasi's name will forever be etched in the history of American Samoa soccer.

Key Moments:

• Early Tests: The opening portion of the season featured a brutal non-conference schedule, with back-to-back defeats at the hands of reigning NCAA champions Cal Poly Pomona and NCAA west region qualifier Cal Poly Humboldt.
• Late Season Wins: Mid-to-late season momentum grew with notable wins, including a 4-3 triumph at Jessup, a 3-1 home victory against UC Santa Cruz, and back-to-back gritty 1-0 conference wins over ranked CUI and away to Biola.

Notable Performers:

• Youthful Front-Line Attackers Emerge: The Sunbirds’ attacking unit came alive late in the season, with significant contributions from freshman Bailey Roberson (four goals) and sophomore Gizelle Aguirre (three goals). With many years ahead of them left to play for FPU, the pair look primed to become major target-women next season and beyond.
• Karyssa Lopez: A rock at center back for the ‘Birds, the senior logged over 1400 minutes to go along with a pair of goals. Her steady presence on the back line earned her All-PacWest Second Team honors.
• Ayana Kirisimasi: The American Samoa international earned the starting goalkeeper role and instantly made a significant impact between the pipes for FPU.  After transferring from Sonoma State, she allowed less than one goal per game despite facing 12 shots per game on average. Had a season-high nine saves in a 0-0 draw with Chaminade, was a PacWest Defender of the Week, and ranked top 5 in the conference in both saves and saves per game.

FPU’s women’s soccer demonstrated growing offensive firepower and strong determination late in the campaign, setting them up for a competitive spring season and enhanced recruiting prospects. For the FPU coaching staff, the next step in this progression is to strengthen their foothold in the Valley and build on the successes over the past two seasons. As Coach Hernandez steps down from his position and Jaime Ramirez returns to lead the team, everyone at Fresno Pacific thanks Hernandez for his part in resetting the culture of the women’s program and laying the groundwork for the program to begin taking flight.

Cross Country: Putting Their Best Foot Forward

Both the Men’s and Women’s Cross Country programs came into the 2025 season with high hopes following the hire of first-time Head Coach Landon Miller. While the women were able to make small gains in the region, it was the men who peaked at the right time. After a disappointing fifth place PacWest finish in 2024, the FPU men took home second behind a stacked Biola squad. Cross country’s fall results underline the impact that Coach Miller was able to instill into a team inherited from the previous staff with little opportunity to recruit.  Coach Miller’s emphasis on season-long fitness and durability combined with savvy race execution made a key difference in a memorable 2025 season.

“During our season, we sustained no season ending injuries or even an injury that held an athlete out of competing,” said Miller. “This was the first year our team worked with Coach Whitney [Leyva-Camberos] in the weightroom and I believe that she deserves the credit for this trend on our team.”

Both the men and women got things started with a bang in the Clovis Crush Invitational at Fresno’s Woodward Park. Each team dominated and finished first, with Rodney Chemalmal and Evan Torres going 1-2 in the men’s race and Mattie Whipple winning the women’s. In total, seven Sunbirds finished top-15 in the two races. Next up was a trip to The Master’s Invitational and a tick up in competition. The men would finish 7th with top-40 times coming from Daniel Galvez, Emanuel Salas, Sawyer Pugilese, and Alesandro Escarzaga. The women were 12th off a solid top-40 finish from Aly Cortez-Chavez.

In the UC Riverside Invitational, the men competed in the 8K Invite race while the women took home their second team victory of the season in the 5k Open race. Chavez finished 3rd overall with Julissa Avila 8th. Whipple, along with Gaby Ramirez, had top-20 finishes that helped secure the points needed to win. The final event before the PacWest Championships was in Santa Clara in the Bronco Invitational, and the Sunbird women had a top-15 finish from Avila. Jaslin Arana ran a new PR to finish top-40. The men had a big performance from sophomore Monte Moore who ran a personal 8K best to place top-50. 

The teams were off to the island of Oahu for the PacWest race hosted by the Vulcans of Hawaii-Hilo at the Hawaii Club Club. The women had six top-50 finishes, highlighted by Avila’s 17th place finish that earned her All-PacWest Third Team honors. The women would place a respectable sixth in conference.  The men, meanwhile, were paced by a phenomenal 7th place, All-PacWest First Team performance by Luke Sanders. The freshman, along with five other All-PacWest finishers, notched a 2nd place conference finish, ahead of reigning back-to-back champions Azusa Pacific and just behind the loaded powerhouse squad of Biola. The runner up result was a significant improvement from last year’s 5th place finish.

The NCAA West Regional was the final race of the 2025 cross country season and gave the ‘Birds each an opportunity to leave their mark one last time. On one of the more challenging courses they would run on all season, the men and women would end the year with 14th and 15th place finishes, respectfully. Avila continued to pace the women as the first Sunbird to cross the finish line in 44th place. Chavez, Whipple, Arana, Ramirez, plus Avery Gibson and Julia Martinez would all finish in the top-150. As for the men, Chemalmal cracked the top-40, with Torres, Pugilese, Salas, and David De Loera all making the top-100. For FPU, 10 of their 14 participants ran PRs at the Regional.

Key Moments:

• PacWest Conference: The men’s team captured second place at the PacWest Championships in Hawaii with six runners earning All-PacWest honors. On the women’s side, Julissa Avila added to her successful career with a 17th place finish and All-PacWest Third Team honor.
• Regional Championships: At the NCAA West Regionals in Salem, Oregon, both squads placed well against the best of the west. The men’s team finished 14th and the women’s team 15th, with numerous personal best times recorded. Both teams were among the top half of PacWest teams who qualified for the Regionals, solidifying their 2nd (men’s) and 6th (women’s) finishes in the conference.

Notable Performers:

• Luke Sanders: The local product finished top-7 at the PacWest Championships, earning him FPU’s lone All-PacWest First Team selection.
• Rodney Chemalmal, Sawyer Pugilese, Evan Torres: Consistent performances all season that culminated in All-PacWest Second Team honors.
• Julissa Avila: Led the women with top conference and regional finishes, including a sub-22:00 performance at regionals.
• Aly Cortez-Chavez & Mattie Whipple: Provided strong depth for the women all season and figure to be key performers in the years to come.

Cross country showed depth and elite development potential under Miller, pushing both squads higher into a new level of expectations as well as promise for results. Now one year fully removed from longtime Head Coach Ray Winter’s exit to pursue an academic career, the program has turned a corner with Miller in charge that just may pay dividends for years to come.

“Looking back on the fall cross country season, this first thing that comes to mind is how thankful I am for the great group of athletes I have on my team,” added Miller. “With it being my first semester as coach, they helped make my transition to FPU a smooth one by their willingness to buy into a new program and patience with me as a first-time head coach.”

Men’s Water Polo: Growth, Grit, Depth, Development

For the first time in program history, a Fresno Pacific water polo campaign was led by someone other than Bryan Suhovy. As the long-time coach of both programs shifted his sole attention to the women’s team, the Sunbirds made a strong hire in former California Baptist head coach Jon Miller. The Fresno native and Clovis High alum returned home for the first time in his career to lead Fresno’s only collegiate men’s program. While the final record may tell some of the story, it’s only part of a season defined by important progress made in a year of major transition.

“Over the course of the year we had some amazing moments that really captured what this team was all about and what they were capable of,” Miller said. “They all required something different from our team and they stepped up in each situation.”

Following a trio of defeats to Santa Clara, Redlands, and UCSB to start the season, Miller notched his first win in Navy and Orange against Division I’s Iona University, 20-17. Senior Sunbird great Forrest Gray was electric in the match, scoring seven goals on nine shots. The ‘Birds would persevere against top-tier programs including Pomona-Pitzer, Cal State Fullerton, California Lutheran, and Chapman, but would notch a dominant 20-12 win over La Verne. Christian Clark, Chris Sandino, and Gray would all score hat tricks against the ranked Leopards. 

The first round of WWPA play would soon follow, and the ‘Birds would win the first conference clash against UC Merced 9-8 in a defensive gem. “In our win over Merced, where we held them scoreless for the entire second half, anchored by Chase Hammes' 17 saves in the cage,” Miller said. Biola and CUI would follow, but both teams would showcase their superiority and shut down PFU in close contests. 

Following four contests against Division I opponents in the Julian Frasier Memorial Tournament, WWPA play continued. The highlight from these matches was season-defining 11-6 road win away to top rival Biola. “It was a complete team effort and required every guy on the team to excel in their role for us to get a win in a tough environment,” Miller added. Clark imposed his will on the Eagles with four crucial goals to help seal the win.

The WWPA Championships in Geneva, Ohio were next up, and FPU made history with their first semifinals appearance. As the 3-seed in the West, they took down the East’s 2-seed, McKendree University 17-13 to advance to the final four. Sophomore Luke Young was the difference-maker, scoring four key goals that would be what was needed to secure the W. “In our win against McKendree, we needed seven goal scorers to beat one of the highest scoring teams in our conference,” Miller noted. FPU would ultimately fall to eventual conference champs CUI and finish fourth overall after dropping the third-place game to Gannon. 

Key Moments:

• Schedule Pains: For most California water polo programs, playing top tier Division I programs is a necessity to complete a full season. The Sunbirds faced eight D-I sides, meaning that any progression they make will come with defeats.
• Meaningful Moments: While the wins were hard to come by this year, FPU notched some big ones that will resonate for a while. Coach Miller’s first FPU win against Division I’s Iona University, 20-17, plus a late 11-6 road win against perennial rival Biola that this senior class will cherish long after their playing days, and then a 17-13 WWPA quarterfinal victory over McKendree that saw the team advance to the conference semis for the first time.

Notable Performers:

• Forrest Gray: The decorated Sunbirds showed off his scoring prowess by leading the team with team with 57 goals and 73 points. Gray’s offensive leadership was a driving force for FPU all season and earned him ACWPC All-American First Team honors as well as being named to the All-WWPA Second Team and WWPA All-Tournament Team.
• Chase Hammes: Anchored the defense with strong save totals to be named an ACWPC All-American Honorable Mention, All-WWPA Honorable Mention, and WWPA All-Tournament recognition. Hammes’ presence in goal kept FPU competitive in many matches, particularly against higher-ranked competition.
• Tristin Fox: The sophomore Utility shot .315 to go alone with 28 goals, 15 steals, and 4 field blocks. His defensive abilities in the pool contributed to countless turnovers and momentum shifts and earned him a place on the WWPA All-Defensive Team.
• Christian Clark: The 6’5” senior had multiple multi-goal games, key assists, and strong two-way play. Clark’s versatility allowed him to contribute in transition alongside offensive set scoring.

While the overall record reflected the difficulty of the schedule, the team’s tournament performances and individual honors show that Coach Miller has a group capable of competing at a higher level. Senior leadership combined with emerging talent set a strong foundation for the program’s future seasons. Miller’s emphasis on tactical water polo and development in competitive environments position the program to continue trending upwards under Miller’s guidance.

“I am very proud of the growth our team showed from the first weekend of the season through the conference tournament,” Miller added. “In any transition year it takes time for the team to gel and build trust with each other, and this group approached this season with a lot of enthusiasm and a desire to compete at the highest level. We were able to see their hard work really pay off over the last few weeks of the season where they played their best water polo of the season, getting to the semifinals of the conference tournament for the first time and setting the foundation for the program going forward.”

Beyond the action on the court, the pitch, the course, or the pool, the fall of 2025 carried institutional significance: Fresno Pacific publicly continued its transition plans to join the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) starting with the 2026–27 school year. Announced over the summer and reiterated through the season, that move means the 2025–26 year would be the Sunbirds’ final season competing as a full PacWest member in most sports before fully integrating into the CCAA. The announcement carried ripple effects across scheduling, recruiting, and long-term strategy not only at FPU but across the Division II landscape in California. Coaching staffs framed the 2025 fall as both a competitive campaign and a final run at PacWest rivalries that have defined FPU Athletics for decades plus, dating back to the NAIA days in the GNAC and continued in the NCAA Division II ranks since 2012. Administrators and athletic leadership used the season to reinforce the university’s commitment to positioning its teams for geographic alignment and conference rivalries that better match the university’s goals and athletics department’s desired travel footprint. 

Coaching stability and staff development were important themes this fall. As Shahrohki settled into his second season, he bolstered his coaching staff with sound hires designed to solidify their tactical approaches and strengthen the health of their program. Montagna, meanwhile, kept her original staff intact heading into her second season while also improving her roster through a savvy mix of recruitment and transfer portal pick-ups, and the rest was, as we know, history. Where newer coaches were added – both Landon Miller (Cross Country) and Jon Miller (Men’s Water Polo) – their imprint showed in tactical tweaks, refreshed practice plans, and an emphasis on sport-specific strength and conditioning. The athletic department also highlighted investments in support services – sports medicine, analytics, and academic coordination – that aim to keep student-athletes healthy, eligible, and prepared for life after sport. Director of Athletics, Kyle Ferguson, repeatedly emphasized gratitude for this support network throughout the fall and framed the season as part of a longer-term program-building arc. 

Fan engagement and game-day energy were notable positives. Home events, particularly volleyball matches, saw strong local turnout and produced atmospheres that gave the Sunbirds a true home-court advantage. The athletics marketing and communications teams continued to refine game day promotions, social media engagement, and digital storytelling while improving media relations to feature the Sunbirds on more local television than ever; efforts that amplified recruiting visibility and community connection. These activations are increasingly important as stronger local support helps with travel budgets, attendance metrics, and the intangible home-field lift teams enjoyed during critical late-season stretches – the final home volleyball game against Chaminade and a pair of soccer senior night victories quickly come to mind. The combination of enthusiastic fans and smart communications created momentum that the university hopes will carry into its new conference era. 

Academic performance has remained central to the Sunbirds’ identity, and is just as important as any athletic metric a student-athlete is measured in. The rigors of juggling schoolwork and class schedules with team activities, travel, and competition is a balancing act that even the most elite student-athletes struggle with. After the fall semester, 65 student-athletes from fall sports were named Sunbird Scholars (maintaining a GPA 3.50 & higher) including 10 CSC Academic All-District team members (and counting) plus pending academic honors from the PacWest and WWPA conferences. 

Additionally, community service events and youth outreach — coaching clinics, local school partnerships, and faith-based service projects — kept the program visible beyond wins and losses. Many Sunbird student-athletes were involved in FPU’s transformative summer camp with Dinuba Unified School District that has reshaped the purpose and direction of FPU’s Sunbird Camps. The blending of competitive ambition with service and academics continues to be a hallmark of the program and an attractive factor for recruits and their families.

As the fall closed and attention moved into winter sports, the department’s strategic posture was clear: use the momentum from strong sports, the lessons from more uneven campaigns, and the institutional transition toward the CCAA to sharpen recruiting, scheduling, and internal development. The upcoming conference move is already informing how coaches pitch the program to prospective student-athletes, emphasizing new regional rivalries and reduced travel burdens for certain sports, along with the continued academic and community strengths Fresno Pacific has always offered their students. 

Now formally in the books, 2025 fall FPU Athletics was a multi-layered season: a high-water mark in some sports, a developmental year in others, and a time of organizational planning for a looming conference realignment. The wins and losses matter, but so do the incremental advances in student-athlete development, coaching cohesion, and fan engagement. The department leaves the fall with reasons to celebrate – led by the Sunbird volleyball’s unforgettable run – and as FPU prepares for the CCAA next year, the foundations laid in Fall 2025 should make the program more competitive, more regionally connected, and more visible to recruits and fans across California.