Golden Eagles Earn National Attention After Strong Opening Weekend
Alysha Colladay
IRVINE, Calif. – The Green and Gold are already turning heads after an impressive opening weekend to the 2026 season.
After going 3-1 at the Yotes Classic Showcase, CUI was named the PacWest Conference Team of the Week, while freshman outside hitter Livia Eyre earned PacWest Player of the Week honors. The Golden Eagles also made their way onto the national radar, receiving votes in the latest AVCA Division II Coaches Poll.
CUI opened the season with a sweep over Saint Martin's before battling Seattle Pacific later that day. The Golden Eagles bounced back in a big way on Friday, sweeping Cal State LA before closing the tournament with a four-set victory over Cal Poly Pomona. The win over the Broncos marked the first victory over Cal Poly Pomona in CUI volleyball program history.
Eyre wasted no time making an impact in her first collegiate weekend. The Provo, Utah native reached double-digit kills in all four matches, beginning her CUI career with 12 kills and six blocks against Saint Martin's. She followed that performance with 13 kills against Seattle Pacific before putting together her best match of the weekend against Cal State LA.
The freshman recorded a career-high 16 kills while hitting .387 against the Golden Eagles' CCAA opponent. Eyre committed just four errors on 31 attempts and added two service aces as CUI completed the three-set sweep. She continued to lead the Green and Gold in the tournament finale, finishing with 13 kills against Cal Poly Pomona.
Eyre finished her first collegiate weekend with 54 kills across 14 sets, averaging nearly four kills per set. Her consistency helped CUI leave the Yotes Classic Showcase with three victories and plenty of momentum heading into its home opener.
The Golden Eagles' performance also caught the attention of coaches around the country. CUI received seven votes in the latest AVCA Division ll Coaches Poll, joining Cal Poly Pomona and other West Region programs among the teams receiving votes.
The recognition comes after CUI was selected fifth in the PacWest Preseason Coaches Poll. With three wins already in the books, a PacWest Team of the Week award and a freshman earning the conference's first Player of the Week honor, the Green and Gold have quickly started making their presence known.
CUI now returns home to host the Orange County Classic beginning Thursday, Sept. 3. The Golden Eagles will open the tournament against Cal State Dominguez Hills at 5 p.m. inside CU Arena before facing Cal State Monterey Bay on Friday and Menlo on Saturday.
