2026 High School Beach Volleyball Preview

First matches: Held Feb. 14

Section finals: May 9

Defending champions: Cathedral Catholic (Open Division), San Marcos (Division 1) and Eastlake (Division 2)

Pair of the Year: Lauren Hanson and Jojo Wilson, Cathedral Catholic

Overview: There have been three seasons of beach volleyball as a CIF sport, and Cathedral Catholic has come through as Open Division champions each time. Depending on who finalizes their commitment to coach Juliana Conn’s team will determine if the Dons are queens of the beach once again. Cathedral Catholic’s top competition will most likely again be rival Torrey Pines.

Notable: Cathedral Catholic is going to be difficult to beat if returning Pair of the Year Lauren Hanson and Jojo Wilson decide to play. Wilson is committed to play beach volleyball at Stanford while remaining one of the top indoor players in her class. Torrey Pines was the runner-up last season and should be there at the end again. The Falcons are led by first-team All-CIF player Kelly Randolph, who is committed to play at UC Davis, second-team All-CIF Aubrie Dingman and fellow second-teamer Parker Herrin. Scripps Ranch was in the Open Division last season and returns five players in Bailie Bishop, Bryce Leatherwood, Elyse Taschner and Kristen White, and Riley McDonald who won a Division 1 beach title in 2024 and a Division 1 indoor title in 2025. San Marcos cruised to the Division 1 championship last season and Huy Nguyen was rewarded as CIF Coach of the Year. Point Loma jumped into the Open Division last season behind Hall of Fame coach Ricci Luyties. The Pointers have nearly their entire roster returning with several strong freshmen. They’ll be led by Caroline Tadder (Oregon commit), Aurora Fernandez (Long Beach State commit), Lily Hagopian and Grace Passman. Westview is coming off back-to-back Avocado League titles and will be led by Lucy Tellers. Defending Coastal Conference champion La Jolla Country Day is led by co-captains Charlotte Jansen and Calin Schneider. La Jolla will once again host the La Jolla Beach Classic Tournament on March 7, with some of the county’s top teams competing.

Players to watch

(in alphabetical order)

Madison Barefield, Steele Canyon, Jr.

Bailie Bishop, Scripps Ranch, Sr.

Taylor Carpenter, Steele Canyon, So.

Aubrie Dingman, Torrey Pines, Jr.

Eliya Dixon, Carlsbad, Sr.

Katie Drury, Carlsbad, Jr.

Calli Efthimos, La Jolla Country Day, So.

Aurora Fernandez, Point Loma, Jr.

Nanette Fu, La Jolla, Jr.

Emma Garrett, La Jolla, Sr.

Lily Hagopian, Point Loma, Jr.

Lauren Hanson, Cathedral Catholic, Sr.

Parker Herrin, Torrey Pines, So.

Emily Hsu, Canyon Crest Academy, Sr.

Charlotte Jansen, La Jolla Country Day, So.

Bryce Leatherwood, Scripps Ranch, Sr.

Enke Luo, Canyon Crest Academy, Sr.

Riley McDonald, Scripps Ranch, Jr.

Grace Passman, Point Loma, Sr.

Kelly Randolph, Torrey Pines, Jr.

Mia Rohrbach, La Costa Canyon, Jr.

Calin Schneider, La Jolla Country Day, Jr.

Lucy Stratton, La Costa Canyon, Jr.

Caroline Tadder, Point Loma, Sr.

Elyse Taschner, Scripps Ranch, Sr.

Lucy Tellers, Westview, So.

Kristen White, Scripps Ranch, Sr.

Gianna Whitman, La Jolla Country Day, Fr.

Jojo Wilson, Cathedral Catholic, Jr.

— TIM MEEHAN

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