Cal To Face Nationally Ranked Opponents In Manhattan Beach
EAST MEETS WEST INVITATIONAL
MANHATTAN BEACH PIER
MANHATTAN BEACH, CA
FRIDAY, MARCH 13
NO. 10 CAL (8-5) VS. NO. 12 LSU (10-4) | 9:30 A.M. PT | LIVE STATS
NO. 10 CAL VS. NO. 8 ARIZONA STATE (10-0) | 1:30 P.M. PT | LIVE STATS
SATURDAY, MARCH 14
NO. 10 CAL VS. FIU (5-4) | 8:30 A.M. PT | LIVE STATS
NO. 10 CAL VS. NO. 5 TEXAS (7-3) | 12:30 P.M. PT | LIVE STATS
After a strong showing at the MPSF Coast To Coast Classic last weekend, the No. 10 California beach volleyball team (8-5) returns to Southern California this week for the East Meets West Invitational on Friday and Saturday at the Manhattan Beach Pier. The Golden Bears will face yet another challenging slate of opponents, featuring No. 12 LSU and No. 8 Arizona State on Friday followed by FIU and No. 5 Texas on Saturday.
LAST TIME OUT
The Bears went 3-1 at the MPSF Coast To Coast Classic last weekend at USC’s Merle Norman Stadium, securing victories over No. 13 LSU, No. 16 Grand Canyon and No. 18 Washington. Cal’s top two pairs – No. 1 Emma Donley and Portia Sherman and No. 2 Marilu Pally and Grace Hong – went 3-1 for the weekend. Their only losses were tight three-set defeats to No. 3 USC. Donley and Sherman – the fifth-ranked pair in the country according to TruVolley – are 11-1 on the season. Pally and Hong are 7-1, with last weekend marking the first matches they had played together in the Bears’ No. 2 spot
NEW FACES MAKING WAVES
Cal’s lineup features several impactful transfers who have quickly found their rhythm. Junior Grace Honga transfer from USC, has formed a solid partnership with senior Marilu Pallygoing 7-1 so far this season. Junior Ava Haughywho joined the Bears from Arizona State, has teamed up with senior Gia Fisher to go 10-3. Haughy was a mainstay in the Sun Devils’ lineup for two seasons, going 18-15 as a sophomore and 14-14 during her freshman year. Graduate student Mila Yarichwho played four seasons of indoor volleyball at Yale, has transitioned to the sand and has formed a partnership with another transfer – sophomore Elle Everswho came to Berkeley from LSU.
DONLEY ON PLAYER OF THE YEAR WATCH LIST
Junior Emma Donley has been named to the first-ever AVCA Collegiate Beach Player of the Year watch list for 2026, recognizing her as one of the nation’s top talents. Donley, alongside partner Portia Shermanwas an AVCA First Team All-American and First Team All-MPSF selection in 2025. The duo set Cal program records for single-season pair wins (27) and Court 1 wins (21) last season, including 17 victories against ranked opponents. They are off to an 11-1 start this season and ranked No. 5 nationally by TruVolley.
NEW HOME
The Bears will move into a new facility in 2027 – the Banatao Family Beach Volleyball Stadium. The project is being partially funded by Cal’s successful Gender Equity Campaign that raised $8 million and allows for the campus’ continued commitment to and compliance with Title IX – the landmark federal law that was enacted in 1972 that prohibits sex discrimination in any educational program or activity receiving any type of financial aid.
HEAD COACH MEAGAN OWUSU
Head Coach Meagan Owusu is in her 10th season at the helm at Cal and has established the Bears as a consistent national power. Cal has qualified for each of the past four NCAA Championships and has ended the season ranked in the top 12 for eight straight years – including four straight top-10 finishes. Owusu was also a defensive specialist for Cal’s indoor program from 2007-2010 and helped the Bears reach their only two NCAA Final Fours in history.
STAY POSTED
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