Big West Conference women's volleyball is an American collegiate volleyball conference. It includes 10–12 women's teams from various colleges and universities. Before the 2017–18 school year, the Big West sponsored volleyball only for women, but the conference added a men's volleyball league in that school year. (NCAA women's volleyball is a fall sport, while NCAA men's volleyball is a spring sport.) In 2012, Beach Volleyball began as a recognized collegiate sport. By 2016 this conference officially began play as one of the firsts in the nation.

History Through 2010, Big West volleyball teams had earned a combined 22 NCAA final four appearances among four teams. In 1981, pre-shuffling SDSU, two BWC stalwarts were able to make the contemporaneous representation.

The San Diego State University Aztecs became the first Big West program to reach the final four. University of the Pacific also reached the post-1981 final four. University of Hawaiʻi (UHM) was the Big West's first national champion in 1982. In 1998 California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) dominated the NCAA in a 36–0 season (the first to do so). At the turn of the 21st century, only UH and CSULB have been able to reach the final four—a total of five thus-far seasons.

In 2012, former WAC member University of Hawaiʻi joined Big West play for the first time since 1995. They won the regular season in 1995 and in 2012. BWC Schools' histories by annals would show competitive edges in B1G and PAC12 head-to-head duels.

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo became a perennial Beach Top 10 performer, with HC Todd Rogers.

As of 2018 the BWC is the only NCAA conference to sponsor an official pairs bracket following the awarding of a Team Championship. The 2018 winners as posted in the finals bracket were: T. Van Winden/Miric (CPSU) defeated Barber/Karelov (LBSU), 2–1. In 2019, the winning and dominant pair of Crissy Jones/Miric (CPSLO) were recognized as The BWC pair. Emily Sonny and Macy Gordon, in 2021.

Spike & Serve–Waikiki hosts, annually on the shores of Queens Beach, the autumn international draw of Pac Rim Championships.

Teams Institution Current Head Coach Big West Championships† Final Four Appearances Best NCAA finish University of HawaiʻiRobyn Ah Mow-Santos11 (1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1995, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2021)9 (1982, 1983, 1987, 1988, 1996, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009)Champions (1982, 1983, 1987)California State University, Long BeachTyler Hildebrand13 (1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2014)6 (1989, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1998, 2001)Champions (1989, 1993, 1998)University of the PacificGreg Gibbons4 (1985, 1986, 1999, 2000)5 (1981*, 1985*, 1986*, 1990*, 1999*)Champions (1985*, 1986*)University of California, Santa BarbaraMatt Jones6 (1993, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2013)NoneElite 8 (1997, 1999, 2000)California Polytechnic State University 1x AVCA#1, 10-22-85 Caroline Walters 5 (1984, 2006, 2007, 2017, 2018)NoneElite 8 (1981, 1982, 1983, 1985) San Diego State UniversityDeitre CollinsNone2 (1981*, 1982*)Final Four ('83 Elite 8*) University of California, IrvineAshlie HainNoneNoneSecond Round California State University, Northridge (w Jennifer Fopma)Jeff Stork1 (2013)NoneSecond Round California State University, Fullerton Ashley Preston1 (2010)NoneFirst RoundCalifornia State University, BakersfieldCesar BenattiNone (w 2020 ~competition)Div.II Champions (1989)2 WAC automatic berths, 1st Rd. exit (2014, 2017)University of California, San Diego Ricci LuytiesNone (w 2020 ~competition)Div.II (2001)Champions Div.III (1981, 1984, 1986–88, 1990, 1997) † Since 1984, when the Big West was known as the P.C.A.A. * As a member of the pre-2013 Big West

NCAA Appearance Each year since 1981 the Conference Champion of Big West Conference got an Automatic Bid to the NCAA Division I women's volleyball tournament. Teams could also qualify for the tournament via an At-large Bid. Starting from 2023 the winner of Big West Conference women's volleyball tournament will receive the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Year Regular Season Champion Conference Champion At Large Bid 2000 University of Pacific University of Pacific UC Santa Barbara & Long Beach State & Utah State & Cal Poly 2001 Long Beach State Long Beach State University of Pacific & UC Santa Barbara & Utah State 2002 UC Santa Barbara UC Santa Barbara Long Beach State & Cal Poly & University of Pacific 2003 UC Santa Barbara UC Santa Barbara UC Irvine & Long Beach State & Idaho & CSUN & University of Pacific 2004 UC Santa Barbara UC Santa Barbara Long Beach State & University of Pacific & UC Irvine & Idaho 2005 Long Beach State Long Beach State UC Santa Barbara 2006 Cal Poly Cal Poly Long Beach State & UC Santa Barbara 2007 Cal Poly Cal Poly Long Beach State 2008 Long Beach State Long Beach State – 2009 Long Beach State Long Beach State UC Santa Barbara 2010 Cal State Fullerton Cal State Fullerton Long Beach State 2011 Long Beach State Long Beach State – 2012 Hawaii Hawaii – 2013 Hawaii Hawaii CSUN & UC Santa Barbara 2014 Long Beach State Long Beach State Hawaii 2015 Hawaii Hawaii – 2016 Hawaii Hawaii – 2017 Cal Poly Cal Poly Hawaii 2018 Cal Poly Cal Poly Hawaii 2019 Hawaii Hawaii Cal Poly & UC Santa Barbara 2020 season cancelled due to COVID-19 – – 2021 Hawaii Hawaii – 2022 Hawaii Hawaii – 2023 UC Santa Barbara Hawaii UC Santa Barbara 2024 Cal Poly Hawaii – 2025 UC Davis Cal Poly –

Big West Award History Coach of the Year Year Coach of the Year (Media only) School 2013 Jeff Stork CSUN 2014 Brian Gimmillaro Long Beach State 2015 Dave Shoji Hawai'i 2016 Dave Shoji Hawai'i 2017 Sam Crosson Cal Poly San Luis Obispo 2018 Sam Crosson Cal Poly San Luis Obispo 2019 Robyn Ah Mow & Ashley Preston Hawai'i & CSUF 2020 Deitre Collins San Diego State 2021 Robyn Ah Mow Hawai'i 2022 Robyn Ah Mow Hawai'i

Player of the Year Year Player of the Year School 2013 Emily Hartong Hawai'i 2014 Janelle Hudson Long Beach State 2015 Nikki Taylor Hawai'i 2016 Nikki Taylor Hawai'i 2017 Taylor Nelson Cal Poly San Luis Obispo 2018 Torrey Van Winden Cal Poly San Luis Obispo 2019 Norene Iosia Hawai'i 2020 Maia Dvoracek Cal Poly San Luis Obispo 2021 Brooke Van Sickle Hawai'i 2022 Amber Igiede Hawai'i

Freshman of the Year Year Freshman of the Year School 2013 Alison Spindt UC Santa Barbara 2014 Ashley Murray Long Beach State 2015 Aldee Van Winden Cal Poly San Luis Obispo 2016 Lindsey Ruddins UC Santa Barbara 2017 Mahalia White UC Davis 2018 Avalon DeNecochea Cal Poly San Luis Obispo 2019 Hanna Hellvig Hawai'i 2020 Mia Tuaniga Long Beach State 2021 Michelle Ohwobete UC Santa Barbara 2022 Caylen Alexander Hawai'i

Setter of the Year Year Setter of the Year School 2013 Sydney Gedryn CSUN 2014 Janelle Hudson Long Beach State 2015 Tayler Higgins Hawai'i 2016 Taylor Nelson Cal Poly San Luis Obispo 2017 Taylor Nelson Cal Poly San Luis Obispo 2018 Norene Iosia Hawai'i 2019 Avalon DeNecochea Cal Poly San Luis Obispo 2020 Olivia Lovenberg UC Santa Barbara 2021 Kate Lang & Seleisa Elisaia Hawai'i & CS Bakersfield 2022 Kate Lang Hawai'i

Defensive Player of the Year Year Defensive Player of the Year School 2013 Ali Longo Hawai'i 2014 Tyler Jackson Long Beach State 2015 Savanah Kahakai Hawai'i 2016 Savanah Kahakai Hawai'i 2017 Hailey Harward Long Beach State 2018 Tita Akiu Hawai'i 2019 Zoe Fleck UC Santa Barbara 2020 Brooke Van Sickle Hawai'i 2021 Macall Peed UC Santa Barbara

Libero of the Year

Year Libero of the Year School 2022 Macall Peed UC Santa Barbara

Big West volleyball in the AVCA The American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) annually awards Coach of the Year and Player of the Year honors. The following lists coaches/players from the Big West who have received these top awards.

Coach of the Year 1982 - Dave Shoji, Hawai'i 1986 - John Dunning, University of the Pacific 1989 - Brian Gimmillaro, Long Beach State 1993 - Kathy Gregory (Int'l VB HOF'r 1986–1997 WPVA Exe. Dir.), UC Santa Barbara 1998 - Brian Gimmillaro, Long Beach State 2009 - Dave Shoji, Hawai'i

Player of the Year 1982, 1983 - Deitre Collins, Hawai'i 1986 - Elaina Oden, University of the Pacific 1987 - Tonya Williams, Hawai'i 1988 - Tara Cross, Long Beach State 1989 - Tonya Williams & Tara Cross, Hawai'i & Long Beach State 1991 - Antoniette White, Long Beach State 1993 - Danielle Scott, Long Beach State 1996 - Angelica Ljungqvist, Hawai'i 1997, 1998 - Misty May, Long Beach State 2003 - Kim Willoughby, Hawai'i

Big West Beach Volleyball (AVCA/NCAA) 2012–2016 as an Emerging Sport CSULB reached the post-season as National Runners-up in 2012; as National Champions in 2013; as National Runners-up in 2015. UHM reached the post-season in 2014 and 2015. All-American choices were: Caitlyn Ledoux/Tara Roennicke (2012, 2013); Jane Croson (2012), Karissa Cook (2014), Katie Spieler (2014), Brittany Tiegs (2014, 2015), Nikki Taylor (2014, 2015)

NCAA Collegiate Beach Volleyball Championships UHM won all the way to the Gulf Shores, AL NCAA Championships with All-Americans Emily Maglio/Katie Spieler (2016); Morgan Martin/Mikayla Tucker (2017); Emily Maglio/Ka'iwi Schucht (2018) and HM AVCA all-American Amy Ozee (2019). Hawai'i does it seven-in-a-row for 2020. Long Beach State won with All-Americans Rachel Nieto/Nele Barber (2017); with non-Championships (CSULB 2018), HM AVCA all-American Nele Barber. Hailey Harward (AVP, 2017–19) has consecutively made the-money-rounds on tour. Cali Bunn has retired from BVB. All-American Torrey Van Winden, a 2016 World Championships semifinalist, she represented the CPSLO Mustangs in 2018 (w freshman, Canadian, AA, Tiadora Miric). Sister Adlee (Van Winden), along with Taylor Nelson, earned All-American status during 2017–18. Crissy Jones (1st Team AVCA AA) was in as representation for 2019. Poly returned for a second consecutive NCAAT appearance in 2020.

References

External links Big West Volleyball