VOLLEYBALL AWARDS & NCAA TOURNAMENT

Toreros Sweep WCC Honors & Return to the National Stage

San Diego volleyball's flawless 18-0 West Coast Conference campaign culminated in a stunning awards sweep on Monday, as the Toreros claimed four of the league's major honors.

Head Coach Jennifer Petrie earned her eighth WCC Coach of the Year award after guiding USD to its 13th WCC Championship and 27th NCAA Tournament appearance. Junior outside hitter Nemo Beach was named WCC Player of the Year after leading the conference with 467 kills and 527 points. Senior Olivia Bennett captured WCC Libero of the Year honors, while sophomore Kylie Munday made history as the first player in program history to win back-to-back WCC Setter of the Year awards.

Beach, Munday, sophomore Isabel Clark, and graduate Kali Engeman all earned All-WCC First Team honors, highlighting the Toreros' dominance across the conference.

🏐 Undefeated Conference Run Caps Senior Day

On Saturday afternoon, USD dominated Gonzaga 3-1 to finish 18-0 in conference play, just the third unbeaten WCC season in program history. After dropping the opening set, the Toreros erupted with commanding 25-10, 25-7, and 25-12 victories to send their five graduating seniors off in style.

The victory marked 18 consecutive conference wins and showcased the exceptional leadership of seniors Kali Engeman, Kinley Swan, Grace Oliva, Maya Kitna, and Bennett as they carried on the program's legacy.

🏆️ NCAA Tournament Awaits

The eighth-seeded Toreros (25-4) will face Kansas State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at the Devaney Center in Lincoln, Nebraska, on Friday, December 5 at 2:30 p.m. PST.

This marks USD's return to the tournament for the first time since 2022, when the Toreros reached the National Semifinal.

ON THE LINKS

USD Baseball’s Sandbagger Golf Tournament

The USD Baseball Sandbagger Golf Tournament delivered another championship performance on December 1st, bringing together the Torero baseball family for an unforgettable day on the links.

This year's sold-out event welcomed 144+ golfers to the grounds of Fairbanks Ranch Country Club, showcasing the incredible support from local companies committed to our baseball program's success.

Over 25 current USD Baseball team members joined forces with more than 40 Torero baseball alumni, creating a powerful display of the program's legacy and bright future. These connections between past and present players embody what makes the Torero family so special.

Mark your calendars! We're teeing off again on November 9th, 2026! Go Toreros!

HALL OF FAME CEREMONY

Seven Legends Enter Torero Hall of Fame

USD Athletics celebrated a historic November afternoon as seven legendary Toreros and one championship team were inducted into the Chet and Marguerite Pagni Athletics Hall of Fame, the first new class since 2019.

The 2025 inductees represented six different programs spanning decades of Torero excellence. Collectively, the class accumulated 12 conference championships, 28 NCAA Tournament appearances, and six members went on to play professionally.

The Class of 2025

Bob Bartholomew (Men's Basketball, 1977-81), Alex Ching (Men's Golf, 2008-12)—the first golfer inducted—and the 1992 USD men's soccer team were honored alongside legendary head coach Seamus McFadden (1980-2017) and standout player Guillermo Jara (1992-95), the only player-coach duo inducted together.

Jennifer Wrightson-Baklenko (Volleyball, 1992-94) joined her coach Sue Snyder in the Hall of Fame, while Katarina Valkyova (Women's Tennis, 1999-00) earned recognition for back-to-back All-American honors.

Brian Matusz (Baseball, 2006-08) received a posthumous induction. Matusz’s number 17 will be retired by the USD Baseball program on Friday, April 17, 2026 – a fitting tribute to our program’s best-ever Friday starter and single-season strikeout record holder (163). Matisse was remembered through a heartfelt video tribute from former head coach Rich Hill.

Associate Vice President and Executive Director of Athletics Kimya Massey confirmed this marks the beginning of consistent annual inductions to honor deserving Torero athletes.

FOOTBALL HONORS

Salazar Named PFL Special Teams Player of the Year + Torero Conference Recognitions

Sophomore sensation Emiliano Salazar captured Pioneer Football League Special Teams Player of the Year honors following a remarkable 2025 season.

The Orange, California native dominated as both kicker and punter, making 15-of-18 field goals and all 40 PATs while averaging 44.76 yards per punt with 13 punts traveling 50-plus yards. Nicknamed "Smooth-E" by his teammates, Salazar earned PFL Special Teams Player of the Week twice and Stats Perform DI FCS National Player of the Week honors after his walk-off field goal victory against St. Thomas.

The Pioneer Football League announced its 33rd All-PFL teams, with USD earning 20 total selections. Senior running back Adam Criter headlined the First Team honorees, joined by offensive linemen Evans Bowling and Maicah Talavou, defensive lineman Malachi Cooper, linebacker Nate Fischer, and Salazar as punter.

Senior wide receiver Cole Monach, linebacker Tre Moore, and defensive back Ruben Lopez earned Second Team honors. Eleven additional Toreros received Honorable Mention recognition: River Abenroth, Matt Colombo, Josh Heverly, Jake Higgins, Salazar (also as placekicker), Sean Scheck, Carter Shupper, Peyton Smith, Nick Struempf, Yosei Takahashi, and Oscar Weigel.