HONOLULU — The University of Hawai'i women's volleyball team will enter its farewell season in the Big West as the favorite in the conference's preseason coaches' poll and a Rainbow Wahine newcomer was voted to the Big West preseason team announced on Thursday.
The Rainbow Wahine received 94 points in the voting of the Big West's 11 coaches to finish two points ahead of Cal Poly for the top spot in the poll. UH and Cal Poly each received five first-place votes and were followed by UC Davis (75 points). UC Santa Barbara received one first-place vote and came in fourth.
UH middle blocker
Bri Gunderson represented the Rainbow Wahine on the seven-player Big West Preseason Coaches' Team. The 6-foot-3 senior joined the 'Bows for the spring semester as a transfer from Eastern Washington, where she led the Big Sky and ranked fifth in the nation with a school-record 1.54 blocks per set in 2024. She averaged 2.83 kills per set while hitting .311, posted three double-doubles, and was named to the All-Big Sky first team last season.
UH has won five consecutive Big West titles and 14 over 22 years of membership, the latest coming with a victory over Cal Poly in the final of last year's Big West Championship in Irvine, Calif. The 'Bows went 13-5 in the Big West regular season to place second behind the Mustangs in the standings. UH closed 2024 with a 21-10 overall record and reached the NCAA Tournament for the 31
st consecutive season and 42nd time overall.
The Rainbow Wahine open the 2025 season with the Hawaiian Airlines Rainbow Wahine Classic set for Aug. 29-31 at SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center. UH will faces Marquette on opening night and will also take on Utah State and San Diego in the tournament.
2025 Big West Women's Volleyball Preseason Coaches' Poll
| Rank |
Team |
Points |
| 1. |
Hawai'i |
94 (5) |
| 2. |
Cal Poly |
92 (5) |
| 3. |
UC Davis |
75 |
| 4. |
UC Santa Barbara |
73 (1) |
| 5. |
Long Beach State |
68 |
| 6. |
UC Irvine |
53 |
| 7. |
UC San Diego |
50 |
| 8. |
CSUN |
42 |
| 9. |
Cal State Bakersfield |
23 |
| 10. |
Cal State Fullerton |
21 |
| 11. |
UC Riverside |
14 |
First-place votes in parentheses
2025 Big West Women's Volleyball Preseason Coaches' Team
| Name |
Year |
Position |
Team |
| Emme Bullis |
R-Sr. |
Setter |
Cal Poly |
| Ally Chandler |
Jr. |
Middle Blocker |
UC Davis |
| Bri Gunderson |
Sr. |
Middle Blocker |
Hawai'i |
| Campbell Jensen |
Sr. |
Libero |
UC Irvine |
| Chloe Leluge |
So. |
Middle Blocker |
Cal Poly |
| Jade Light |
Sr. |
Outside Hitter |
UC Davis |
| Eva Travis |
R.-So. |
Outside Hitter |
UC Santa Barbara |
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