LA MIRADA --- With the 2026 season set to begin, the PacWest Conference released its preseason poll with Biola Volleyball picked to finish fourth.

The Eagles received 70 points in the poll, trailing Point Loma (95), Chaminade (89) and Hawai'i Hilo (77). Point Loma received seven first-place votes, while Chaminade earned two and Hawai'i Hilo collected one.

Hannah Hanson was also named to the PacWest Preseason Watchlist. The senior setter returns after earning Second Team All-PacWest honors in 2025 and is one of four returning starters alongside graduate setter Lexi Lambert, redshirt junior middle blocker Hannah Guzzetti and senior right side Payton Tully.

Biola returns 14 players from a 2025 squad that finished 17-10 overall and 7-5 in PacWest play, placing fifth in the conference standings. Head Coach Brian Failinger enters his third season at the helm after guiding Biola to its 17-win campaign last year.

2026 Schedule
Biola's 2026 slate features 25 regular-season matches, including 18 against PacWest opponents. The Eagles begin the year with scrimmages at Cal Poly Pomona and Cal State LA before opening regular-season play at the Dallas Classic on August 27. Biola will face Dallas Baptist, Mississippi College, Nebraska-Kearney and Colorado Mesa over three days in Dallas.

The Eagles then return to Southern California for three matches at the Vanguard/Concordia Kick-Off Tournament against Cal State Monterey Bay, Cal State Dominguez Hills and Menlo before opening PacWest play against Point Loma on September 8 inside Chase Gymnasium.

Biola's conference slate features nine home matches and includes a three-match trip to Hawai'i in October. The PacWest Conference Championships are scheduled for November 12-13 at Vanguard in Costa Mesa.

Meet the Newcomers
Biola welcomes nine newcomers to its 2026 roster, adding three transfers and six freshmen to its returning group.

The Eagles' transfer class features redshirt sophomore outside hitter Haylee LaFontaine from Cal Poly, sophomore middle blocker Natalie Ojeisekhoba from Hawai'i Hilo and junior middle blocker Alex Strating from West Georgia.

Biola also welcomes six freshmen in Addison Brown, Emily Capangpangan, Caprice Cooper, Chloe Johnson, Bella Millichap and Lauren Waggoner.

"I'm incredibly excited about this group," stated Failinger. "Every single newcomer brings wonderful gifts to the program which will contribute to our missions of Christ-centered formation, while pursuing becoming the best program in the nation."

"They bring a high level of volleyball talent, which when combined with their humility, work ethic, and joyfulness, makes this a group who will leave a great legacy for those who come after them," concluded Failinger.