SEATTLE – This week in Seattle Pacific University Athletics, the 2026 seasons get underway as women's volleyball and women's soccer play on the road in California, while the 25^th-ranked SPU men's soccer team hosts matches on Thursday and Saturday.
 
MEN'S SOCCER
Thursday, Aug. 27 – 7:00 p.m.
vs. #5 Stanislaus State – watch – live stats - tickets
 
Saturday, Aug. 29 – 1:00 p.m.
vs. Chico State – watch – live stats – tickets
 
FROM THE COACH
"We're really excited to get the season started," head coach Kevin Sakuda said. "We have a challenging opening weekend against two very good teams, and that's exactly what you want early in the year. We have a motivated group, and I'm excited to see us compete and begin establishing who we are as a team."
 
"Saturday will be especially meaningful with Legacy Day and the opportunity to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the 1986 national championship team," Sakuda added. "There is so much history and tradition in this program, and it's important for our current players to understand that they're part of something bigger than just this season. We're excited to honor the people who helped build SPU Soccer while also beginning to write our own chapter."

ABOUT THE FALCONS

• In 2025, the Falcons returned to the top of the GNAC, capturing a share of the conference regular-season championship for its first title since 2021.
  • It was the fifth conference title in program history.
  • The Falcons won 10 or more matches for the first time since 2021.
  • SPU climbed to No. 12 in the national rankings and put together a nine-match unbeaten streak during the season.
• The Falcons earned 10 GNAC postseason honors, highlighted by Victor Cabanas being named GNAC Freshman of the Year and a Second Team All-GNAC honoree.
• Rafael Lucio returns to the Falcons after being a unanimous First Team All-GNAC selection a season ago.
• Diego Pena-Salgado and Kasey Toevs are back for 2026 after being named GNAC Honorable Mention a season ago.
• JJ Diaz missed some time last season but earned a GNAC Player of the Week award in 2025.
  • Diaz led the team with seven goals, including a hat trick in the GNAC semifinals.
• The Falcons entered the season ranked 25^th in the country in the United Soccer Coaches Preseason Poll.
• SPU's 2026 nonconference schedule is tough, featuring games against 5th-ranked Stanislaus State on Aug. 27 and 7th-ranked Point Loma on Sept. 5.
  • Both matches are at Interbay Soccer Stadium.

WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL
Monday, Aug. 24 – 6:00 p.m.
vs. Puget Sound (exhibition) – watch
 
Thursday-Saturday, Aug. 27-29
at Cal State San Bernardino Coyote Classic – watch – live stats
 
FROM THE COACH
"Traveling down to California together is an exciting way for our team to start the season," head coach Jason Rhine said. "We will see high-level competition in a familiar arena and get to test out some of the fun things we have been working on as a team and individually.  I'm sure we will discover new things to add or refine coming out of the weekend, but that is what the first weekend is all about - an important step in the process of growing and competing throughout the whole season."

ABOUT THE FALCONS

• In 2025, the Falcons opened the year 4-0 after taking every game at the Otter Invitational on opening weekend.
  • It was the first time the Falcons had started the year 4-0 since 2010.
• SPU finished the season with a 12-14 record and went 7-11 in conference play.
• The Falcons earned 41 points in the 2026 GNAC Preseason Coaches Poll and were selected for a sixth-place finish by the conference's coaches.
  • Simon Fraser earned two first place votes and 90 points to be the frontrunners in this year's poll.
  • Central Washington received six first-place votes and 88 points to be ranked second.
  • Alaska Fairbanks, Western Washington, and Alaska Anchorage round out the top five in order.
• The Falcons welcome back 12 returners from the 2025 roster on this year's team, led by Christina Lopez, Sophie Chambers, and Megan Omlid.
  • Lopez appeared in 98 sets across 26 matches for the Falcons, leading the team with 476 digs and an average of 4.86 digs per set.
    • She surpassed 1,000 career digs against Montana State Billings on Nov. 8, 2025.
    • Lopez earned GNAC Honorable Mention recognition in 2025.
  • Chambers appeared in 97 sets across 26 matches for the Falcons, leading the team with 640 assists and 6.60 assists per set.
    • She surpassed 1,000 career assists against Western Washington on Oct. 23, 2025.
  • Omlid appeared in 98 sets across 26 matches for the Falcons, leading the team with 343 kills, 3.50 kills per set, 36 service aces, 394.5 points, and 4.03 points per set.
  • She also ranked second on the team with 305 digs and 3.11 digs per set while adding five solo blocks and 21 assisted blocks for 26 total blocks.
    • Omlid joined Lopez as a GNAC Honorable Mention last season.
• Charlize Espinosa, Charlotte Hastings, Mackenna Golden, and Stella Pollack join the Falcons as newcomers in the 2026 season.

WOMEN'S SOCCER
Thursday, Aug. 27 – 7:00 p.m.
at Chico State – watch – live stats
 
Saturday, Aug. 27 – 11:00 a.m.
at Jessup – watch - live stats
 
FROM THE COACH
"We have had a very enjoyable first two weeks together," head coach Arby Busey said. "Our excitement is building for the opportunities we have coming up. This group has been amazing thus far, and we have a ton of confidence heading into our opening weekend of games. It will be fun to get out on the road together."

ABOUT THE FALCONS

• The Falcons enter the 2026 season after going 8-5-7 in 2025, with a 6-3-5 conference record.
• SPU qualified for the GNAC Championships for the 13^th time in program history last season.
  • The Falcons have never missed the GNAC Championships since the tournament began in 2012.
• Ashlyn Valdovinos leads the group of returners for the 2026 season after an accolade-filled 2025.
  • She was a First Team All-GNAC selection, named to the GNAC All-Academic Team, earned D2 CCA and United Soccer Coaches All-Region second team honors, and was named USC Scholar All-Region.
• In total, the Falcons put seven players on the 2025 GNAC All-Conference Team.
• SPU also placed 15 on the GNAC All-Academic team last season.
• The Falcons welcomed eight newcomers to the roster this season, including six first-year players and two transfer students. 

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