The San Diego State Aztecs women’s volleyball team begins its first season competing in the Pac-12 Conference with consecutive road matches against former Mountain West rivals Colorado State on Sept. 24 and Fresno State on Sept. 26.
The Aztecs face Colorado State at 6 p.m. MT/5 p.m. PT on Sept. 24 before traveling to California to play Fresno State at 1 p.m. on Sept. 26. Both matches will be streamed live on the Pac-12 YouTube Channel with live stats accessible during the games.
San Diego State will compete in 16 matches this season in a home-and-away format against the other eight Pac-12 members. The schedule includes additional former Mountain West opponents Boise State and Utah State, along with Oregon State, Washington State, Gonzaga, and Texas State.
In their 27 years in the Mountain West Conference, the Aztecs posted a 14-13 record in conference openers, including sweeping Fresno State in the 2025 season opener. The 2025 season ended with a semifinal loss to Colorado State in four sets in the Mountain West tournament.
Key returning players leading the team include outside hitter Ella Schabort, setter Kendall Mairs, and libero Zara Stewart, who rank among the Pac-12 leaders in kills, assists, and digs, respectively. Freshmen Layla Austin and Nazare Judd have appeared in every set so far this season, with Austin ranked eighth in the Pac-12 in kills per set.
Historically, San Diego State holds a 54-19 all-time series advantage over Colorado State and leads Fresno State 39-20. The 2026 Pac-12 Championship host will be determined by the win percentage from each team’s first match against every Pac-12 opponent.
Colorado State is the preseason favorite to win the Pac-12, featuring several players named to the preseason impact team, while Fresno State also boasts three players on the Pac-12 Preseason Impact List. Both teams recorded strong preseason performances heading into their matchups with the Aztecs.
San Diego State is led by seventh-year Head Coach Brent Hilliard, who has overseen multiple all-conference players and emphasizes academic success alongside athletic achievement within the program.
CSB Take
San Diego State’s move into the Pac-12 Conference presents a significant competitive step for the program. Opening against familiar Mountain West opponents on the road offers a challenging start but an opportunity to establish themselves early in the new league. The blend of experienced leaders and impactful freshmen provides a solid foundation to contend at this elevated level. The outcomes of these opening matches will be crucial in setting the tone for the Aztecs’ inaugural Pac-12 campaign and in the race to host the conference championship.
Source: Original report
