FRESNO, Calif. - Fresno Pacific volleyball enters the 2026 season with plenty of momentum following the best NCAA-era season in program history. Heading into a new conference, the Lady 'Birds captured the No. 4 spot in the 2026 CCAA Volleyball Coaches Preseason Poll.
Last season, the Fresno Pacific finished 27-2 overall and 11-1 in PacWest play. The Sunbirds' impressive season began with a 23-game winning streak, helping FPU climb as high as No. 9 nationally. The Blue and Orange shared the PacWest regular-season title before capturing the PacWest Tournament Championship for the first time in program history. FPU continued its postseason run on the national stage, advancing to the NCAA West Region championship match before falling to nationally-ranked Point Loma.
This year, the Sunbirds are ranked No. 11 in the 2026 AVCA Division II Preseason Poll, entering their first season as members of the CCAA with the highest preseason national ranking in the conference. As a new member in the CCAA, Fresno Pacific climbed the chart with two first-place votes and 137 points total to check in at fourth. The 'Birds trail behind the two-time regular season champion Cal Poly Pomona (188 points and nine first-place votes), the defending CCAA tournament champion Cal State San Bernardino (178) and Cal State LA (163).
Head Coach
Kelsee Montagna, the reigning PacWest and AVCA West Region Coach of the Year, enters her third season at the helm of Fresno Pacific Volleyball. The 'Birds return a strong core from last season, including
Mikayla Weiss (PacWest Setter of the Year),
Madelyn Feramisco (PacWest Freshman of the Year), and
Devyn Castaneda (two-time PacWest Defensive Player of the Week). FPU also welcomes an exciting group of newcomers: middle blockers
Rylee Pitney and
Jayla Iversen, pins
Addisen Hamilton,
Ally Lane, and
Morgan Castaneda, along with setter
Ashley Logan and libero
Jocelyn Yang.
The Lady 'Birds soar into their first week of play August 27-29 in the 2026 Sunbird Classic. Among seven teams, Fresno Pacific will open the tournament against Jessup on Thursday at 5pm, then Western Oregon on Friday at 6pm, and finally Hawaii Hilo on Saturday at 6pm. Come down to the Special Events Center to cheer on your Sunbirds!
CLICK HERE for the Full CCAA Volleyball Coaches Preseason Poll article.
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