ARCATA, Calif. -- The California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) released on Tuesday afternoon the Preseason Coaches Poll. Cal Poly Humboldt was picked to finish 10th in the standings. Cal State Los Angeles secured nine first place votes and is projected to finish number one in the CCAA. Three CCAA teams also come in ranked Top-25 nationally according to the American Volleyball Coaches Association Division II Poll that released today. These teams include: Cal State Los Angeles at No. 9, Cal State San Bernardino at No. 19, and Cal Poly Pomona at No. 23.
Despite a tough 2022 season due to the timing of her hire, head coach
Angela Spoja is confident in the foundation that she has been building with assistant coach
Hayley Hills since the Spring. Although the 'Jacks have no one returning on the CCAA Preseason Watchlist, which consists of returning first and second team All-CCAA selections, the second year coaching staff has added 11 new faces and is returning eight to the lineup this year.
Lindsey McLaughlin, who was the team leader in kills last season with 187, will make a return to the court for the 'Jacks this season. Alongside McLaughlin and returning are
Kaitlyn Patterson (team leader in digs),
Nicole Yakushenok (team leader in assists),
Mina Barajas,
Gianna Giacomotto,
Avery McIntyre,
Kailie Flores, and
Elyse McKinney.
The "New Look Lumberjacks" consist of 11 student-athletes that are made up of seven transfers and four incoming freshman.
Kyra Slavik, a 5'11" setter, who joins the team as a graduate student and has two years left of eligibility, comes to Humboldt from the University of Wyoming and aims to have a large role on the team this upcoming season. Also coming from a Division I program will be
Graysen Trupp, a 6'3" outside hitter/opposite from Eastern Washington University. Other transfers include 5'9" libero
Mackenzie Gilchrist from Saint Martin's University, 6'2" middle blocker
Ava Spoja from Montana State University Billings, as well as 6'0" NJCCA First Team All-American outside hitter
Awelina Fakalata, 5'11" middle blocker
Aurora Meneghetti, and 5'9" opposite
Shanaley Iakopo who all come from American River College in Sacramento. Iakopo is the only red shirt that the 'Jacks plan to have at this moment in time.
Incoming freshman include 5'7" libero
Tatyana Tauese Paulino (Curtis Senior HS - Lakewood Wash.), 6'0" setter/opposite
Neriah Tualaulelei-Malele (Torrance HS - Carson, Calif.), 6'3" opposite
Hollis Downing (Puyallup HS - Tacoma, Wash.), and 6'0" middle blocker
Ryleeh Tuaolo (St. Anthony HS - Long Beach, Calif.).
Click the link below for the Volleyball Preseason Press Conference that took place a week ago with
Angela Spoja,
Kyra Slavik, and
Elyse McKinney.
Women's Volleyball Preseason Press Conference
The Volleyball team plans to host a "Green vs. Gold" preseason scrimmage this Sunday, August 27 at 2:00 PM in Lumberjack Arena. This gives fans and students a chance to see the team in action since they don't play at home until September 14. This event will be free admission. The 'Jacks hit the road to kickoff their season and will compete in two tournaments. The Seawolf Volleyball Invitational in Anchorage, Alaska will take place August 31 and run through September 2, while the Colorado Mesa Volleyball Invitational will take place in Grand Junction, Colorado from September 7 to September 9.
Follow Cal Poly Humboldt volleyball matches throughout the season on the CCAA Network at
https://ccaanetwork.com/hum/. All Humboldt volleyball home matches and road games against conference opponents are scheduled to be streamed on the Network all season long. Follow the action for just $9.95 per month.
For more information on Cal Poly Humboldt Volleyball, please visit
humboldtathletics.com and follow us on all social media platforms.
Instagram: @humboldt.athletics , @humboldt.wvb
Twitter (X): @HumboldtJacks
Facebook: Cal Poly Humboldt Lumberjacks
