ALISA VIEJO, Calif. -- Led by redshirt sophomore middle blocker Anna Sanzaro and sophomore opposite Natalia Walden-Schulz, the Cal State Dominguez Hills volleyball team was picked to finish in the top 10 by the California Collegiate Athletic Association coaches in a preseason poll.

The Toros received a total of 71 votes to place 10th, with two-time defending CCAA regular season champion Cal Poly Pomona earning nine first-place votes for a total of 188 to finish ahead of defending CCAA Tournament champion Cal State San Bernardino, which picked up 178 points.

Sanzaro leads all returners with 107 kills and 30 blocks, with Walden-Schulz following suit with 104 kills and 18 blocks to give the Cardinal and Gold a both size and skill in a formidable duo patrolling the net.

This year's squad returned just four student-athletes from last year's roster that posted a 9-15 overall and 6-12 mark in CCAA play.

Cal Poly Pomona collected nine first-place votes and the Coyotes one first-place vote, with Cal State LA and new CCAA member Fresno Pacific each earning a pair of first-place nods to finish third and fourth, respectively.

The 2026 volleyball season kicks off Thursday, August 27, with the Toros competing at the Oredigger Volleyball Classic against Colorado Christian, hosted by Colorado School of Mines in Golden, Colorado.