California’s women’s volleyball team will begin its first road trip of the 2025 season at the Ameritas Players Challenge in Lincoln, Nebraska. The Golden Bears are scheduled to play Wright State on Saturday and top-ranked Nebraska on Sunday at the Bob Devaney Sports Center. Sunday’s match will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network.
The Golden Bears started their season with two wins at home, defeating San Diego State and San Francisco to win the California Tournament. Junior libero Sophia Johnson was named tournament MVP for her defensive performance, while senior setter Natalie Lau received all-tournament honors after reaching her 1,000th career assist.
Wright State enters the matchup with a 2-1 record and has made four NCAA Tournament appearances in six seasons. The Raiders return AVCA Midwest All-Region setter Lauren Yacobucci, who led Division I in assists per set last year, as well as several other key players who earned conference honors. Head coach Travers Green is in his fourth year and has been recognized as Horizon League Coach of the Year for three consecutive seasons.
Nebraska holds a 4-0 record this season under first-year head coach Dani Busboom Kelly. The Huskers have already secured wins over three top-10 opponents and finished last year with a 33-3 record, reaching the NCAA semifinals and winning their second straight Big Ten title. Key returning players include AVCA First-Team All-American Andi Jackson and two-time All-Americans Harper Murray and Bergen Reilly.
Cal’s roster features four middle blockers: senior Mikayla Hayden, junior Sawyer Thomsen, redshirt junior Sophie Scott (returning from injury), and transfer Ashleigh Woodruff from Stony Brook. Hayden led Cal in blocks during her first two seasons; Thomsen recorded the most total blocks by a Cal player since 2013; Scott had a top-eight Pac-12 ranking for blocks before missing last season due to injury; Woodruff joins after an injury-shortened sophomore campaign.
Senior setter Natalie Lau is joined by her sister Elise Lau, a freshman defensive specialist. According to head coach Jen Malcom: “two of the most competitive players on our team.” This marks their first time playing together on any team.
The Bears have added seven new players this season—five freshmen and two transfers—who bring experience ranging from national team play to state-level accolades.
For ongoing updates about California volleyball, fans can follow the team’s social media accounts on X (@CalVolleyball), Instagram (@calvolleyball), Facebook (Cal Volleyball), and TikTok (@calbearsvb).
