California Golden Bears Athletics
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Cal Volleyball Opens Season Against University Of The Pacific
8/28/2026 8:32 AM | Volleyball
Golden Bears Open The Season At Haas
Volleyball season is finally upon us, and the California Golden Bears are opening the 2026 season with some tournament play.
Their first three games of the year will be part of the Gael Bear Classic, which they are co-hosting with Saint Mary's. They will play three games across the weekend, with a meeting against the University of the Pacific (UOP) to kick things off.
GAME INFORMATION
UOP
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Date and Time: Friday, Aug. 28, at 7 p.m. PT
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Location: Berkeley, CA | Haas Pavilion
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Live Stream: ACCNX
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Live Stats: Statbroadcast
2025 Recap
Cal finished the 2025 season with a 9-21 record overall and a 6-14 record in ACC play, slotting them 14th in the conference when things were said and done.
Although it wasn't quite the sophomore season that head coach Jen Malcom was hoping to have, the Bears did finish the year on a two-game winning streak. Undoubtedly, the biggest win of the year came when the Golden Bears knocked off No. 14 Miami.
The Bears did lose their two leading scorers in Mikayla Hayden, who finished her career ranking 8th in all-time career blocks in program history, and two-time Golden Bear Award winner Peyton DeJardin. However, the 2026 roster will feature seven new players, headlined by blue chip recruit and outside hitter, Abby Zimmerman.
NEW NAMES
Ranked as the No. 30 overall recruit in the class of 2026, Zimmerman is the daughter of Cal legend, Lisa Arce. The Golden Bears' roster also features two transfers who will be joining the fold in middle blockers Cari Bohm (Illinois) and Rania Chimonides (UNC Wilmington).
Another intriguing name that is new to the team, but not Cal, is fifth-year outside hitter Portia Sherman, who has shined for the beach volleyball program over the past four years. Sherman and her doubles partner Emma Donley, hold the Cal beach volleyball program records in single-season wins (31) and career wins (59), and also finished this past season as the nation's No. 4 overall pair according to Truvolley.
This season marks her first time playing indoor since her stellar career at Dos Pueblos, where she was named Channel League MVP and led the school to its first title in 10 years.
While there is plenty of excitement around the new faces, the Bears also return libero Sophia Johnson, who started all 30 matches last year. Johnson established herself as one of the premier defenders in the country, earning an ACC Defensive Player of the Week nod, and leading the team with 399 total digs and 3.56 digs per set.
TOURNAMENT INFO
Aside from UOP, Cal will be facing off against UC San Diego on Saturday, and will head to Moraga to take on fellow host, Saint Mary's on Sunday. The other teams participating in the event are Southern Utah and Gonzaga.
STAY POSTED
For more coverage of the Cal volleyball team, please follow the Bears on X (@CalVolleyball), Instagram (@Calvolleyball) and Facebook (@Calvolleyball).
