Cal Kick Off & TransPacific Volleyball Championships
The opening weekend of the season brought competition across the Bay Area, Sacramento, Manteca—and all the way to Honolulu—setting the tone for what promises to be an exciting year. With many teams making their season debut, the focus was on establishing identity, competing with confidence, and building momentum. Across the board, teams showed strong effort, flashes of high potential, and the kind of resilience that defines long-term success.
1/17-19 | SAN MATEO EVENT CENTER, SPORTSHOUSE, CAL EXPO, COURTSIDE SPORTS MANTECA
13 Power kicked off their season with an impressive top-12 finish, fueled by aggressive serving and offensive production. The team racked up 105 total aces, immediately making their presence felt. Giuliana Punla led the offense with 25 kills, while Jaylyn Limongco followed with 23 kills, giving the team a steady and reliable scoring punch throughout the weekend.
14 Elite delivered one of the strongest performances of the tournament, finishing 5–2 and securing a top-5 finish. The team played with composure and balance on both sides of the ball. Dylann Villanueva stood out with elite defensive play while running a consistent offense and capitalizing on scoring opportunities through well-timed setter dumps. Gabriella “Gabby” Perez continued to emerge as a vocal leader, combining aggressive serving, confident decision-making, and offensive contributions. Versailles Vega showcased her versatility, smoothly transitioning from opposite to outside and scoring efficiently by attacking open court with purpose.
14 Power 2, competing in their first tournament of the season, showed encouraging signs of what’s to come. Gwen Ilog led with 15 kills and several aces, competing with intensity every match. Amelia Maestre applied constant pressure from the service line with 15 aces, while Tien Vo brought strong back-row play, energy, and a competitive mindset that lifted the team.
15 Elite put together a weekend defined by depth and production across the roster. Emma Tam contributed 18 aces and 23 digs, while Sophia Ponce ran an efficient offense with 47 assists. Camila Canizales had a standout all-around performance, finishing with 36 kills, 13 aces, and 25 digs. Madelynn “Maddy” Macleod added 17 kills and 4 blocks, and Allyson “Ally” Fuertes rounded out the attack with 24 kills and 12 aces, keeping opponents under constant pressure.
15 Power 2 opened their season with clear progress, making a significant jump from 59 to 37. The team leaned on strong serving and improved offensive organization. Diella Refuerzo and Allison Chan led the charge from the service line, helping the team surpass 30 total aces. Jordyn Rubiano and Avril Lin shared offensive responsibilities as setter/opposite, each recording 20 assists, while Alexis Galindez posted an impressive .417 hitting percentage, highlighting the team’s growing efficiency.
16 Elite earned a top-10 finish, driven by dominant serving and physical play at the net. The team totaled 62 aces, setting the tone early in matches. Emma Dessus led offensively with 23 kills, Kaelyn Aquino delivered a standout performance with 10 aces in a single game, and Kawai Akau controlled the net with 8 blocks.
16 Power closed out the weekend with a top-15 finish, showing steady improvement and strong team execution. Cielo directed the offense with smart setting decisions and balanced distribution, Simone delivered consistent and powerful attacks, and Anisha made an impact defensively with strong blocking at the net.
1/17-19 | HONOLULU, HAWAII
Beyond the scores, the TransPacific Championships provided an unforgettable experience, blending high-level competition with the opportunity to travel, bond, and represent the club on a national stage.
15 Power faced challenging competition, but the group never lost its positivity or cohesion, competing with enthusiasm and supporting one another throughout the weekend. Ella Go led with poise and leadership, contributing 12 aces, 17 digs, and 29 assists. Abigail “Abby” Yu anchored the defense with 36 digs and facilitated the offense with 46 assists, while Kylie Reyes added 17 aces and 30 digs, bringing consistent energy and effort.
17 Power also battled through a tough field, showing resilience and determination in every match. Katie Yu averaged 20 digs per game, providing stability and relentless effort in the back row. Kaliah Dunlap contributed an average of 5 kills per game, and Cameron Luz delivered momentum-shifting service runs, highlighted by a 10-point run in Sunday’s match.
Overall, the opening tournaments showcased competitive grit, promising development, and strong leadership across all levels. While results varied, the foundation has been set—and the season is just getting started.
