SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – After garnering its 12th WCC title last season, Pepperdine earned the top spot in the annual WCC Volleyball Preseason Coaches Poll as announced on Friday. The Waves look to repeat as Conference champions as the 2024 campaign begins next week.
The preseason poll and the All-WCC team were selected solely by a vote of the conference’s 11 head coaches. Coaches cannot vote for their own teams and student-athletes.
The Waves boasted eight first-place votes and 98 points, while second-place San Diego picked up two first-place votes and 87 points. LMU collected one first-place vote and 80 points. Oregon State and Pacific tied for fourth place with 70 points each.
On the preseason team, Pepperdine and LMU boasted three each, while San Diego, Oregon State and Pacific claimed two each. Nine of the 11 WCC programs were represented on the preseason team.
Among the preseason team honorees are the 2023 WCC Player of the Year Grace Chillingworth of Pepperdine and the 2023 WCC Freshman of the Year Nemo Beach of San Diego. In addition to Chillingworth, four other preseason team honorees picked up all-conference first-team honors last season - Alexa Edwards (PAC), Sam Hastings (LMU), Jenna Heller (PAC) and Birdie Hendrickson (PEP).
Chillingworth, Edwards, Genevieve Bane (SMC) and Haylee Stoner (USD) secured WCC preseason team honors last year. This is the third year in a row that Edwards has earned WCC preseason team accolades.
Washington State, Pepperdine, San Diego and LMU all received votes in the AVCA national preseason poll.
Fans can catch WCC volleyball action this season on ESPN+. In addition, the Pepperdine at Washington State match can be seen on ESPNU on Sunday, Oct. 6, at 1 p.m.
2024 WCC Volleyball Preseason Poll
| Place |
Team |
First Place |
Points |
| 1. |
Pepperdine |
8 |
98 |
| 2. |
San Diego |
2 |
87 |
| 3. |
LMU |
1 |
80 |
| 4. |
Oregon State |
|
70 |
| 4. |
Pacific |
|
70 |
| 6. |
Washington State |
|
53 |
| 7. |
Saint Mary's |
|
44 |
| 8. |
Santa Clara |
|
36 |
| 9. |
San Francisco |
|
33 |
| 10. |
Portland |
|
23 |
| 11.. |
Gonzaga |
|
11 |
| 2024 All-WCC Volleyball Preseason Team |
| Name |
Institution |
Yr. |
Pos. |
| Genevieve Bane |
Saint Mary's |
Jr. |
OH |
| Nemo Beach |
San Diego |
So. |
OH |
| Grace Chillingworth |
Pepperdine |
Sr. |
OH/OPP |
| Alexa Edwards |
Pacific |
Gr. |
OH |
| Sam Hastings |
LMU |
Sr. |
LB |
| Jenna Heller |
Pacific |
Sr. |
S |
| Birdie Hendrickson |
Pepperdine |
Gr. |
OH/OPP |
| Annika Hester |
Oregon State |
Sr. |
OPP |
| Sophia Meyers |
LMU |
Sr. |
OH |
| Elena Radeff |
Santa Clara |
Jr. |
OH/OPP |
| Maui Robins |
Portland |
Jr. |
OH |
| Lauren Rumel |
Oregon State |
Jr. |
MB |
| Katy Ryan |
Washington State |
Sr. |
RS |
| Mia Schafer |
LMU |
Sr. |
S |
| Riley Simpson |
Pepperdine |
Gr. |
OH/OPP |
| Haylee Stoner |
San Diego |
Sr. |
MB |