2025 Big West Women’s Volleyball Championship: Seeds Set, New Champion Guaranteed as UC Davis Claims Top Spot
The drama of the 2025 regular season finale for Big West women’s volleyball has culminated in a thrilling championship bracket, promising intense competition and a guaranteed new champion. The Hawaiian Islands presents the 2025 Outrigger Big West Women’s Volleyball Championship is set to unfold at the newly renamed LBS Financial Credit Union Pyramid in Long Beach, Calif., from November 26-29. With the final seeds locked in after a nail-biting final day, the stage is set for a fiercely contested postseason tournament, marking the third iteration of this conference event. A remarkable four teams have surpassed the 20-win mark, a testament to the league’s burgeoning strength in the 21st century.
UC Davis Earns Top Seed and Coveted Semifinal Bye
Dominating the regular season, No. 1 seed UC Davis has secured the top spot and a crucial bye into the semifinal round. The Aggies, boasting a stellar 20-6 overall record and a dominant 16-2 in conference play, have etched their names in program history with their best-ever league win total in their final season as Big West members. Their only two blemishes on the conference record came against fierce rivals No. 2 seed Cal Poly and the host, No. 3 seed Long Beach State.
Intriguing First-Round Matchups Promise Early Fireworks
The path to the championship begins on Wednesday, November 26th, with two captivating first-round matchups. The action kicks off at 3 p.m. with No. 4 seed UC Santa Barbara facing No. 5 seed CSUN. The Gauchos, making a return to the postseason after a year’s absence, have a history of tough matches against the Matadors, who are making their inaugural appearance in the Big West tournament. Despite UC Davis’s dominance, both UCSB and CSUN managed to push the Aggies to five sets in their regular-season encounters, hinting at their potential to disrupt the established order.
The evening’s nightcap at 6 p.m. features a compelling battle between No. 3 seed Long Beach State and No. 6 seed UC Irvine. The Beach, hosts of the championship and last year’s regular-season champions, enter this matchup having split their series with Cal Poly. UC Irvine, on the other hand, clawed its way into the field by defeating Cal Poly in their final home match, creating a must-win scenario for Hawai’i and ultimately securing their spot. The Anteaters and the Beach have already met twice this season in the “Black-Blue Rivalry,” with Long Beach State emerging victorious in both 3-0 contests.
Semifinal Showdowns and a New Champion on the Horizon
Following a Thanksgiving break, the semifinals commence on Friday, November 28th. UC Davis will await the winner of the UCSB-CSUN clash in the early 3 p.m. match. The later 6 p.m. semifinal will pit No. 2 seed Cal Poly against the victor of the Long Beach State-UC Irvine duel. Cal Poly, the defending regular-season champions, enters the postseason having just suffered a loss to UC Irvine, adding an element of unpredictability to their side of the bracket.
The championship match is slated for Saturday, November 29th, at 5 p.m. With the first two editions of the postseason championship won by Hawai’i, this year guarantees a new team will hoist the trophy and earn the league’s automatic bid to the 2025 NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball Championship.
Beyond the Bracket: League Strength and Future Implications
The impressive performance of multiple 20-win teams highlights a significant trend in the Big West: the increasing parity and overall strength of the conference. This isn’t just about individual team success; it signals a maturing landscape for women’s volleyball within the league. As UC Davis departs for future endeavors, their final season of Big West play underscores the competitive environment they are leaving behind. The intensity of the seeding tiebreakers, particularly for the No. 2, 3, and 4 spots, further illustrates the closely matched nature of the top contenders.
The broadcasting of every game on ESPN+ by Earl Miller Productions, with analysis from experienced voices like Rob Espero, Hailey Harward, and Chloë Clark, is a positive step in elevating the visibility of Big West women’s volleyball. This increased exposure can inspire younger athletes, attract more fans, and potentially lead to enhanced recruiting and program development across the conference. The future of Big West volleyball appears bright, with a tradition of strong competition and growing national recognition.
The championship schedule is as follows:
First Round – Wednesday, Nov. 26
3 p.m. | No. 4 seed UC Santa Barbara vs. No. 5 seed CSUN
6 p.m. | No. 3 seed Long Beach State vs. No. 6 seed UC Irvine
Semifinals – Friday, Nov. 28
3 p.m. | No. 1 seed UC Davis vs. Winner of 4/5 Match
6 p.m. | No. 2 seed Cal Poly vs. Winner of 3/6 Match
Final – Saturday, Nov. 29
5 p.m. | Championship Match
What are your predictions for who will win the 2025 Big West Women’s Volleyball Championship? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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