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The annual Big West Challenge is set to take place from March 20-22 in Long Beach, California, with all seven conference teams competing in a round-robin tournament at Rosie’s Dog Beach. This event is the only opportunity for teams to face each other in a regular-season format before the Big West Championship, making it a crucial preview of the championship race.

Why it matters

The Big West Challenge offers a vital preview of the championship race, as every team is guaranteed a matchup against each conference opponent. This weekend will be a defining moment for standings and potential postseason positioning, as teams look to gain an advantage ahead of the Big West Championship.

The details

The competition kicks off on Friday, March 20th, with three matches: Hawai’i vs. Sacramento State, Long Beach State vs. Sacramento State, and Long Beach State vs. Hawai’i. Saturday and Sunday will feature a full schedule of nine matches each day, with key matchups including Long Beach State facing CSUN and UC Davis on Saturday, and Cal Poly taking on Cal State Bakersfield, Hawai’i, and CSUN on Sunday.

The Big West Challenge takes place from March 20-22, 2026.The competition kicks off on Friday, March 20th.Saturday and Sunday will feature a full schedule of nine matches each day.

The players

Long Beach State

No. 11 Long Beach State enters the challenge with a strong lineup, led by the senior duo of Malia Gementera and Taylor Hagenah, who have an impressive 11-3 record. Tineke Hinton and Demi Wagdy also contribute significantly with an 11-3 record at the No. 2 position.

Hawai’i

No. 13 Hawai’i brings a battle-tested roster, having faced eight ranked opponents this season, including a notable upset victory over then-No. 1 UCLA. Julia Lawrenz and Izadora Stedile lead the Rainbow Wahine with a 10-4 record.

Cal Poly

No. 3 Cal Poly is currently dominating the conference, with an 11-1 dual record and a .900 winning percentage across all pairs. Izzy Martinez and Logan Walter remain undefeated at 8-0, while Ella Connor and Erin Inskeep contribute a 7-1 record.

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The takeaway

The Big West Challenge is a crucial event that provides a preview of the championship race, as teams compete against each other in a round-robin format. This weekend will be a defining moment for standings and potential postseason positioning, as the top teams in the conference look to gain an advantage ahead of the Big West Championship.