SAN BRUNO, Calif. – Pepperdine claimed nine first-place votes and was tabbed first in the annual West Coast Conference Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches Poll as announced on Wednesday. The Waves will vie for their fourth straight appearance in the NCAA Tournament when the 2026 campaign begins next Wednesday.
 
The preseason poll and the all-conference preseason team were selected solely by a vote of the conference’s 10 head coaches. Coaches cannot vote for their own teams and student-athletes.
 
The Waves amassed 81 points in the coaches balloting, including nine first-place votes. Portland and Santa Clara tied for second with 61 points each. Saint Mary's was just behind them in fourth place with 60 points.  

Seattle U garnered the other first-place vote, along with 54 points, for fifth place. 
 
The preseason team featured three Waves, three Pilots and representatives from six separate teams. Saint Mary's earned two honorees, while Santa Clara, San Diego and Seattle U each boasted one. 

U'i Kaaihue (Seattle U), Peyton Leonard (Pepperdine), Kate Plachy (Saint Mary's), Julia Quinonenz (Pepperdine) and Violet Rademacher (Portland) picked up preseason recognition after capturing all-conference first-team honors last fall. Plachy returns after winning West Coast Conference Goalkeeper of the Year last year. 

2026 West Coast Conference Women’s Soccer Preseason Poll 

Place	Team	First Place	Points
1.	Pepperdine	9	81
T-2.	Portland		61
T-2.	Santa Clara		61
4.	Saint Mary's		60
5.	Seattle U	1	54
6.	LMU		39
7.	Denver		38
8.	San Diego		28
9.	Pacific		15
10.	San Francisco		13

 

2026 All-WCC Women's Soccer Preseason Team
Name	Institution	Yr.	Pos.
Amanda Anders	San Diego	So.	F
Hailey Bagby	Portland	Sr.	D
Aliyah Dockter	Portland	Sr.	M
U'i Kaaihue	Seattle U	Sr.	M
Peyton Leonard	Pepperdine	Sr.	D
Kyra Murphy	Pepperdine	Sr.	M
Mailin Orozco	Santa Clara	Jr.	F
Kate Plachy	Saint Mary's	Jr.	GK
Julia Quinonez	Pepperdine	Sr.	F
Violet Rademacher	Portland	Gr.	M
Ashlyn Vaughn	Saint Mary's	So.	F