LOS ANGELES — Loyola Marymount was picked to finish third in the 2026 West Coast Conference Volleyball Preseason Coaches' Poll, the conference announced Wednesday.
The Lions received 59 points in the poll and enter their second season under head coach Kolby O'Donnell. San Diego was selected as the preseason favorite, receiving nine first-place votes and 81 points, while Pepperdine earned the remaining first-place vote and 72 points.
LMU also placed three players on the 2026 WCC Preseason Team, with Anya Santrac, Aleksandra Stojanovic and Maria Tabacuks earning preseason recognition.
The Lions enter the season with a combination of returning experience and several newcomers expected to make an immediate impact.
Junior setter Delfina Schuh returns after starting all 27 matches for LMU last season. Schuh recorded 742 assists and 327 digs while finishing with 17 double-doubles. She ranked fifth in the WCC in assists per set.
Sophomore outside hitter Nicole Schuetz also returns after finishing third on the team with 138 kills while leading the Lions with 78 total blocks. Schuetz recorded a season-high 10 blocks against Pepperdine.
Santrac joins LMU after spending her freshman season at Wake Forest. The Belgrade, Serbia, native made eight appearances for the Demon Deacons in 2025 and recorded four kills and three blocks in her collegiate debut against North Carolina A&T. She also registered kills against Old Dominion, Florida State and Clemson.
Before beginning her collegiate career, Santrac competed for Red Star Volleyball Club and Radnicki Belgrade Volleyball Club in Serbia. She was named MVP of the 2024 Athens Tournament after helping her team win the U19 championship and was part of the 2023 EasterVolley Ancona U19 championship team in Italy.
Stojanovic, a junior middle blocker who transferred from Iowa, arrives at LMU after recording 161 kills and 88 blocks during her time with the Hawkeyes. She is one of three Lions selected to the conference's preseason team.
Tabacuks adds another international presence to the roster. The sophomore outside hitter represented Germany at the 2025 FIVB U19 World Championships and brings international competition experience to the Lions.
LMU opens the 2026 season against Southeastern Louisiana on Aug. 28 in Oxford, Mississippi. Southeastern Louisiana finished the 2025 season with a 20-9 record.
The Lions will look to build on their No. 3 preseason selection as they begin the 2026 campaign.
2026 WCC Volleyball Preseason Coaches' Poll
- San Diego (9 first-place votes) — 81 points
- Pepperdine (1) — 72
- LMU — 59
- Santa Clara — 55
- Saint Mary's — 54
- Denver — 44
- San Francisco — 29
- Portland — 28
T-9. Pacific — 14
T-9. Seattle U — 14
2026 WCC Volleyball Preseason Team
- Kierstyn Barton, San Diego
- Nemo Beach, San Diego
- Macy Hinshaw, Santa Clara
- Havannah Hoeft, Portland
- Antonie Kelnarova, Saint Mary's
- Kylie Munday, San Diego
- Ella Piskorz, Pepperdine
- Chloe Pravednikov, Pepperdine
- Tristen Raymond, Pepperdine
- Maui Robins, Portland
- Anya Santrac, LMU
- Cate Shanahan, Santa Clara
- BayLea Sparks, San Diego
- Aleksandra Stojanovic, LMU
- Maria Tabacuks, LMU
- Lexi Trapani, Santa Clara
Women's Volleyball Tickets
Season tickets start at just $79 (Buy Now), and single-game tickets (Buy Now) are on sale now for all home matches. LMU students and faculty/staff (plus up to three immediate family members) receive free admission with a valid OneCard. To request ticket information, click here.
Group Tickets
Group tickets for 10 or more are available for all fall sports. To reserve your group, click here, contact the LMU Ticket Office at 310-338-4537 or favian.velasco@lmu.edu.
Support the Lions
Support LMU student-athletes by making a gift at LionsAthleticFund.com.
Stay Connected
Visit LMULions.com and follow LMU Athletics on X, Facebook, and Instagram for the latest news and updates.
