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Top Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups (2025)

Published

4 months ago

August 31, 2025

Top Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups (2025)

Welcome back to another edition of top waiver wire pickups. There were some great additions in last week’s piece, including starting pitchers Kyle Bradish and Parker Messick. Both were massive assets for fantasy managers, with Bradish collecting 10 strikeouts and Messick earning the victory over seven shutout innings. Unfortunately, I did whiff on third baseman Mark Vientos.

I was this close to including him in last week’s piece. I even picked him up in my high-stakes league, but I featured the red-hot Brett Baty instead. While plenty of others I’ve focused on lately continue to break out, I’m still kicking myself over Vientos because I had a feeling about him, and Baty’s bat went cold. He’s also now well above the 50% threshold, disqualifying him from this list.

Thankfully, there’s still a plethora of new players on the rise that should be fantasy assets in the coming periods. There are even a few top-notch pitchers worthy of a hefty bid if they’re available in your league. These top two arms won’t last long, so make haste before it’s too late. That’s enough blabbing for now. Let’s get right to it.

Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Assistant Analyze Moves Who To Pick Up

Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Targets

All players listed are rostered in 50% or fewer of Yahoo leagues.

Jonah Tong (SP – NYM): 46%

If Jonah Tong is still available in your league, run, don’t walk to add him. Arguably the best pitcher in the Minor Leagues this year, Tong made his debut on Friday. There’s little doubt he’ll do what he’s done all season long, which is limit base runners and strike out the world. With a funky overhand delivery and an obscene fastball spin-rate, Tong could form a nasty tandem with the recently called-up Nolan McLean.

For the stats folks, here are a few figures from Tong’s immaculate Minor League performance. In 22 starts across the two highest levels in the Minors, the Canadian-born pitcher registered an outlandish 1.43 ERA with 179 strikeouts. He allowed just two home runs over 113.2 innings and finished with a 0.924 WHIP.

Payton Tolle (SP – BOS): 27%

Payton Tolle faced off against Paul Skenes on Friday. Similar to Jonah Tong, Tolle was a monster in the Minor Leagues this year, racking up 133 strikeouts over 91.2 innings while producing a 3.05 ERA and a 0.848 WHIP.

The knock against him is really just his lack of experience. The 6-foot-6, 250-pound giant was drafted out of college just last year, and the majority of those strikeouts came against Single-A players. Regardless, MLB Pipeline has Tolle ranked as the 28th overall prospect in all of baseball and as the Red Sox’s top young arm. He’s a lefty who throws gas at the top of the zone that has proven almost impossible to hit. That pitch has already produced a 46% whiff rate (at the lower levels), which would be tops in the league.

Tolle also sports a killer mustache, making him that much better. From a longevity point, he’ll probably outperform Tong, but in the interim, if I had to choose just one, I’d probably lean towards the Mets phenom. That said, Tolle is absolutely a stud and could be the best homegrown arm in Boston since Jon Lester. Roger Clemens, maybe? Let’s not go too far. Add him in all leagues immediately.

Colson Montgomery (3B, SS – CWS): 34%

I’ve mentioned Colson Montgomery before, but the kid just keeps on hitting homers. Up to 14 dingers on the year, Montgomery is having quite the rookie campaign. The White Sox infielder has been a streaky hitter to begin his Major League career, but the home runs have come in bunches, and they seem to be in play once again.

Montgomery hit four home runs in four games this week, which pushes his home run total up to 14 over the last 35 calendar days. That’s quite a feat for such a young player. Montgomery’s home run barrage was slightly interrupted by a side injury earlier this week, but he returned on Friday and should be good to go for the weekend. He’s worth adding in most leagues.

Matt Wallner (OF – MIN): 10%

Matt Wallner should be viewed in a similar light as Colson Montgomery — as someone who can hit home runs in bunches while offering you a sizable amount of RBI. He’s up to 20 big flies on the season in just 275 at-bats to go along with 35 RBI. Four of those dingers came this week, and he even surprisingly stole three bases.

I threw Wallner’s name out there earlier in the year when all the hype was surrounding Jac Caglianone. While everyone was jockeying to add the Royals’ young slugger, I pointed out that Wallner came as a much cheaper option with a similar skill set. The only difference was that Wallner had already proven what he could do, while Caglianone enthusiasts were hoping for what he could do. As it turns out, Caglianone wasn’t ready for Major League pitching, and Wallner continues to mash home runs.

Wallner does usually hit for a low batting average, but since it’s so late in the year, a .230 average won’t hurt you as much as it would over a full season. If you’re trailing a few league mates by a handful of home runs, Wallner could be the difference-maker you’re in search of.

Caleb Durbin (2B, 3B, SS – MIL): 12%

The Jose Altuve of the Brewers has been a steady contributor of late. Caleb Durbin was a big piece in the Devin Williams trade to the Yankees, and while he struggled a bit earlier in the season, the stocky infielder has come alive in August.

Similar to Jacob Wilson‘s approach for the Athletics, Durbin rarely strikes out or walks. The Brewers infielder puts the ball in play close to 85% of the time. He doesn’t hit the ball very hard, but he is capable of leaving the yard as he’s now up to nine home runs for the season. What Durbin lacks in pop, he makes up for in speed, having stolen 31 bases in 34 attempts the past year in the high Minor Leagues. He’s been a bit less successful at the Major League level but is up to over double-digit stolen bases (11) in limited playing time.

While these numbers may sound pedestrian, it’s Durbin’s latest adjustments that have pushed him into fantasy relevancy. Over his last 14 starts, the rookie infielder has hit four home runs, scored nine times, knocked in seven and stolen a base. His average has increased from the low .200s to .256, and he’s even moved up in the lineup, batting second against lefties and sixth versus righties. Durbin may not have reached shallow league standards yet, but he is worth a look in deeper and keeper ones, and for those struggling to fill a middle or corner infielder spot.

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Ian Seymour (SP, RP – TB): 6%

While your league mates are fighting over Jonah Tong and Payton Tolle, make the savvy move and pick up Ian Seymour. Seymour can still be acquired for next to nothing, and he could perform just as well to close out the season. The 26-year-old was lights out on the farm, producing a 2.35 ERA over 27 starts last year and a 2.63 ERA in 16 games this year. His WHIP hovered around 1.00 for both seasons, while he averaged nearly an 11 K/9 rate.

Since joining the big league club in June and then again in July, Seymour’s been used primarily as a relief pitcher. He was excellent in relief, maintaining a 1.77 ERA with a 0.93 WHIP over 20.1 innings until he ran into the Yankees two weeks ago. It was his first really bad outing, but he quickly rebounded in his next appearance.

Finally granted an opportunity to start, Seymour was masterful, holding the Guardians to just one hit and one walk over five scoreless innings. He struck out eight in the affair, which was extremely impressive considering the Guardians have one of the lowest strikeout rates in the league.

Seymour’s now thrown 28.1 innings in the Majors and has surrendered just 20 hits and nine walks to go along with 36 strikeouts. He’s now back in his comfort zone as a starting pitcher and is on tap to face the Nationals this week. The Nats are one of the worst teams against left-handed pitching, and wouldn’t you know it, Seymore just happens to be a southpaw. He’s still available in nearly 95% of leagues, so now is the time to get him.

Abner Uribe (RP – MIL): 42%

Abner Uribe is an immediate must-add. With Brewers incumbent closer Trevor Megill going down with an elbow injury, Abner is the clear-cut replacement.

The flame-throwing righty has produced a 1.71 ERA, a 1.06 WHIP and 78 strikeouts in 63 innings. He already has three saves on record this season and should be a top-15 closer while Megill is out.

Zack Gelof (2B – ATH): 5%

It may take Zack Gelof a minute to get going, but he raked in Triple-A this season and was a 20-20 candidate when healthy last year. His average likely won’t be great, but in that ridiculous home park, Gelof could produce handily.

The 26-year-old hit a home run in just his third game back and drove in four of the seven runs the As scored that day. He’s only 3-for-14 since his promotion, but has three hits in his last seven at-bats. Gelof is a solid sleeper for the final month of the season. He also qualifies for the toughest position to fill.

Joey Wentz (SP, RP – ATL): 6%

Joey Wentz has pitched well since joining the Braves in July and should be lined up for a two-start week. While the matchups aren’t great (Cubs and Mariners), Wentz has tossed six one-run or fewer outings over his past nine games.

Unfortunately, the Mets crushed him last week, but Wentz has looked sharp in his other outings, registering a .211 opponent batting average to go along with a .279 on-base percentage (OBP) and .311 slugging rate in total. He’s collected a decent amount of strikeouts as well, registering about eight strikeouts per nine innings. Wentz also keeps the ball in the yard with just two homers allowed over 44.2 innings.

The 6-foot-5 lefty isn’t for everyone, but the Braves have been playing well, making Wentz a decent two-start candidate for the week ahead.

Carson Williams (SS – TB): 11%

I have to mention Carson Williams again because after speculating on how he would fare in the Majors last week, Williams fulfilled the high hopes I had for him. The Rays’ latest shortstop started his big league career by going 6-for-15 with a home run, four runs scored and five RBI. He also stole a base.

Williams is a star in the making if he can just continue to make contact with the ball. Strikeouts were his bugaboo coming up, but after posting four straight (nearly) 20/20 seasons in the Minors straight out of high school, it’s obvious the talent is there.

The Rays’ feisty prospect will likely go through some rough patches as he racks up strikeouts, but similar to some other big names in the Majors, I expect him to produce despite the lofty strikeout totals.

Austin Lowell is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Austin, check out his archive.

Sports

Elon Trio Earns Phil Steele All-American Honors

Published

3 minutes ago

December 30, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Football
12/29/2025 6:10:00 PM

Elon Athletics

14 Total Phoenix Receive Phil Steele All-CAA Postseason Recognition

ELON – Elon redshirt senior punter Jeff Yurk earned First Team All-American honors and was tabbed as the CAA Special Teams Player of the Year by Phil Steele on Monday. Kahmari Brown (Fourth Team All-American) and Landen Clark (Third Team Freshman All-American), headline a deep list of 14 Phoenix who received 2025 Phil Steele All-CAA football postseason accolades.

The 14 Phoenix to receive postseason recognition included three first-team selections, two second-team honorees, seven third-team picks and three fifth-team choices. For the full list of FCS All-Americans and All-CAA selections visit PhilSteele.com.

Jeff Yurk – P
First Team All-American, CAA Special Teams Player of the Year
·       Ranked second in the FCS and third in all of college football with 48.3 yards per punt
·       Tallied 17 punts inside the 20 and 24 punts of 50-plus yards
·       Averaged five yards more per punt than any other CAA punter

Kahmari Brown – DL
Fourth Team All-American
·       First Elon player ever with double-digit sacks in a season (12.0)
·       Broke Elon’s single-season FCS sacks record; tied program’s FCS career sacks record (16.5)
·       Led the CAA in sacks by 2.5; only CAA player with double-digit sacks
·       Ranked top-15 nationally in forced fumbles, sacks, and tackles for loss
·       Two-time CAA Defensive Player of the Week selection

Landen Clark – QB
Third Team Freshman All-American
·       The third Phoenix to earn CAA Rookie of the Year honors, joining Davis Cheek (2017) and Jaylan Thomas (2018)
·       First Elon freshman to win three CAA Rookie of the Week awards
·       Broke Elon’s single-season FCS rushing touchdown record (11)
·       Ranked second among CAA quarterbacks with 614 rushing yards
·       Threw for 2,321 yards, ranking sixth in the CAA and second among CAA freshman quarterbacks
·       Accounted for 29 total touchdowns (18 passing, 11 rushing), the second most in a season in program history
·       Ranked fourth in the CAA in total offense (2,935 yards)

The following players were selected as Phil Steele All-CAA selections:
Isaiah Fuhrmann (WR) – First Team
Kahmari Brown (DL) – First Team
Jeff Yurk (P) – Special Teams Player of the Year, First Team
Dylan Magazu (HB/FB) – Second Team
Ishmel Atkins (DB) – Second Team
Timothy Hogan (OL) – Third Team
Brodie Carroll (LB) – Third Team
Asher Cunningham (LB) – Third Team
DJ James-Hamilton (DB) – Third Team
Tony Hart III (DB) – Third Team
Luke Barnes (PK) – Third Team
TJ Thomas Jr. (AP) – Third Team
Brayden Walker (OL) – Fifth Team
Jake Louro (DL) – Fifth Team
TJ Thomas Jr. (KR) – Fifth Team

SUPPORT THE PHOENIX
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For further coverage of Elon Football, follow the Phoenix on X (@ElonFootball) and Instagram (@ElonFB).

-ElonPhoenix.com-

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Jason Borchin named Nevada Women’s Volleyball Head Coach

Published

20 minutes ago

December 30, 2025

Your Sports Nation

RENO, Nev. – Jason Borchin, who helped lead Cal Poly Women’s Volleyball to back-to-back Big West titles and an NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 appearance in 2025, has been named the next Nevada Women’s Volleyball head coach, Director of Athletics Stephanie Rempe announced Monday.

Borchin spent 10 years and nine seasons (the 2020 season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic) over two separate stints at Cal Poly, serving as assistant coach from 2015-17, then returning to the Mustangs from 2019-25, serving as recruiting coordinator that whole period and adding the associate head coach title in 2025.

During Borchin’s tenure in San Luis Obispo, the Mustangs posted a combined 184-86 record with two Big West regular-season titles, two runners-up, and five third-place finishes in the standings along with three NCAA Tournament appearances (2017, 2019, 2025). The Mustangs picked up at least one win in each of those three postseason appearances, most recently scoring upsets of No. 5 seed BYU and No. 4 seed USC in Los Angeles to reach the Sweet 16 in Lexington, Kentucky.

“We are thrilled to welcome Jason Borchin and his family to the Wolf Pack. He brings a wealth of experience, having cut his teeth at the club level and worked alongside several highly-respected coaches. Growing up and starting his career in our region gives him a deep understanding of the culture and talent here. Known for his elite training in the gym, his ability to build strong rosters, and his extensive recruiting ties in California, Jason is exactly the leader we need to elevate our program and compete at the highest level in the Mountain West,” Rempe said.

Cal Poly finished Big West play with a winning record in each of the nine seasons with Borchin on staff, going 120-38 including a perfect 16-0 mark in 2017. Since the advent of the Big West Women’s Volleyball Championship in 2023, the Mustangs have gone 4-2 at the event and won the title in 2025.

“I am honored to be named the Head Women’s Volleyball Coach at the University of Nevada. I want to thank President Brian Sandoval, Athletic Director Stephanie Rempe and the University administration for their trust in me and belief in my vision for this program,” Borchin said. “This is an incredible opportunity for my family and me, to be part of a University with such a strong tradition and bright future. Nevada has tremendous potential to compete in the Mountain West Conference and I’m excited to get to work building a program our players, alumni, and fans can be proud of. Go Pack!”

Between his stints at Cal Poly, Borchin spent the 2018 season on the staff at Notre Dame. Prior to his first stint with the Mustangs, Borchin began his collegiate coaching career as a volunteer assistant with Sacramento State in 2007 and became a full-time assistant coach in 2010. In 2007, the Hornets went 29-8, capturing the Big Sky tournament title and defeating Minnesota in the NCAA Tournament First Round at Stanford.

In addition to his indoor coaching duties, Borchin also served as co-head coach of the Sacramento State beach volleyball program for its first three seasons (2013-15).

Borchin coached club volleyball in the Sacramento area for 10 years and was the head coach of the Northern California Volleyball Club (NCVC) Girls 18s team that earned a fifth-place finish at the Junior Nationals in Dallas. His club head coaching background began during the 2005-06 season with the High Impact Girls 14s team.

A native of Roseville, Calif. and a graduate of Oakmont High School, Borchin boasts a total of 18 years of coaching experience between the intercollegiate, high school and club levels.

Borchin’s collegiate playing career included two seasons with the Hornets, earning All-Big Sky first-team and team MVP honors in 2006 and was a second-team all-conference selection in 2007. He then transferred to Pacific, where he played in 86 career matches from 2008-10 and was consistently among the team’s top five players in kills, finishing his playing career with 611 kills, 423 digs, 142 blocks and 59 aces.

Borchin graduated from Pacific in 2010 with a degree in sports sciences.

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Nevada hires Cal Poly associate head coach Jason Borchin to run volleyball program

Published

36 minutes ago

December 30, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Nevada hired Jason Borchin, the associate head coach at Cal Poly, to run its volleyball program Monday.

Borchin helped Cal Poly win back-to-back Big West titles with an NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 appearance last season. Borchin spent nine seasons over two stints with the Mustangs, serving as assistant coach from 2015-17 before returning to the Mustangs from 2019-25 where he was the team’s recruiting coordinator before adding the associate head coach title in 2025.

During Borchin’s tenure in San Luis Obispo, the Mustangs posted a 184-86 record with eight top-three Big West finishes and three NCAA Tournament berths, those coming in 2017, 2019 and 2025. The Mustangs advanced in each of those tournaments, most recently upsetting No. 5 seed BYU and No. 4 seed USC in Los Angeles to reach the Sweet 16.

“We are thrilled to welcome Jason Borchin and his family to the Wolf Pack,” Nevada athletic director Stephanie Rempe said in a news release. “He brings a wealth of experience, having cut his teeth at the club level and worked alongside several highly-respected coaches. Growing up and starting his career in our region gives him a deep understanding of the culture and talent here. Known for his elite training in the gym, his ability to build strong rosters and his extensive recruiting ties in California, Jason is exactly the leader we need to elevate our program and compete at the highest level in the Mountain West.”

Between his stints at Cal Poly, Borchin spent the 2018 season at Notre Dame. Borchin began his college coaching career as a volunteer assistant with Sacramento State in 2007 and became a full-time assistant coach in 2010. In 2007, the Hornets went 29-8, capturing the Big Sky Tournament title and defeating Minnesota in the NCAA Tournament first round. In addition to his indoor coaching duties, Borchin also served as co-head coach of the Sacramento State beach volleyball program from 2013-15 when the team went 11-23 overall in its first three seasons of existence.

“I am honored to be named the head women’s volleyball coach at the University of Nevada,” Jason Borchin said in a news release. “I want to thank President Brian Sandoval, athletic director Stephanie Rempe and the university administration for their trust in me and belief in my vision for this program. This is an incredible opportunity for my family and me to be part of a university with such a strong tradition and bright future. Nevada has tremendous potential to compete in the Mountain West Conference, and I’m excited to get to work building a program our players, alumni and fans can be proud of. Go Pack!”

A native of nearby Roseville, Calif., Borchin has 18 years of coaching experience between the college, high school and club levels. Borchin played two seasons at Sacramento State, earning first-team All-Big Sky and team MVP honors in 2006. He was second-team all-conference in 2007. He then transferred to Pacific where he played in 86 matches from 2008-10 and was among the team’s top-five players in kills.

Borchin coached club volleyball in the Sacramento area for 10 years and was the head coach of the Northern California Volleyball Club Girls 18s team that earned a fifth-place finish at the Junior Nationals in Dallas. His club head-coaching background began during the 2005-06 season with the High Impact Girls 14s team.

Borchin replaces Shannon Wyckoff-McNeal, who quit earlier this month two seasons into a five-year contract. He inherits a Wolf Pack program that has struggled in recent decades.

Nevada reached five NCAA Tournaments from 1998-2005 but has posted just three winning records in the last 20 seasons, those coming in 2007, 2016 and 2019. The Wolf Pack has finished second-to-last in the MW in 2024 and 2025 with last-place finishes in 2018, 2020, 2021 and 2023, meaning Nevada has placed in the bottom two of the MW in five of the last six seasons.

Last year, Nevada went 8-20 overall and 4-14 in the MW while winning just 17 sets in 18 conference matches. The Wolf Pack’s best conference finish since moving to the MW in 2012 is fifth place. While the MW’s top-three teams this year — Utah State, Colorado State, Boise State — are moving to the Pac-12 in 2026, MW additions UTEP (16th in RPI) and UC Davis (48th) were elite this season with Hawaii (161st) historically excellent.

The Wolf Pack is scheduled to return just two starters from last season (Kamryn Tifft and Jess Walkenhorst) after the transfers of Haylee Brown (Grand Canyon), Audrey Jensen (UConn) and Kinsley Singleton (Oklahoma). Nevada’s home arena, Virginia Street Gym, has seen recent upgrades with a new video board installed before the 2024 season and new playing surface before the 2025 campaign.

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Jason Borchin Accepts Head Coaching Position at Nevada

Published

52 minutes ago

December 30, 2025

Your Sports Nation

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. — Cal Poly volleyball associate head coach and recruiting coordinator Jason Borchin — who helped the Mustangs reach the NCAA Tournament three times during his time with the program — was named the next head coach of the University of Nevada volleyball program on Monday.

Borchin spent nine seasons on the Cal Poly coaching staff across a pair of stints (2015-17, 2018-25), aiding the Mustangs to an 187-86 overall record, two Big West regular season championships and a conference tournament title during his tenure with the program.

“I’m incredibly proud that what we’ve built together here at Cal Poly has opened doors for Jason and his family,” Cal Poly volleyball head coach Caroline Walters said. “We’ve been together for more than half of my coaching career, and that’s a testament to the quality of work he does, but speaks even more to the person, coach, and friend he is. Jason has made a lasting impact on our program, and while he’ll be missed, we’re excited for him as he takes this next step. We wish Jason, Jessie, Colt, Vaughn, and Beckett nothing but the best as they embrace this new challenge at Nevada.”

Borchin, who was promoted to associate head coach for the Mustangs prior to the 2024 season, helped the program reach historic heights in his final season this fall. After defeating No. 1 seed UC Davis to capture the Big West Tournament Championship and punch its ticket to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2019, Cal Poly took down No. 5 seed BYU and then No. 4 seed USC — both in five sets — to advance to the Sweet 16 for the seventh time in program history and the first time since 2007.

The Mustangs were the lone unseeded team to reach the Third Round in this year’s NCAA Tournament, serving as the country’s Cinderella story. Cal Poly finished the year ranked No. 21 in the nation, its highest ranking to end a season in 18 years and the first time since 2018 the team ended a season nationally ranked.

After serving as a full-time assistant coach on the Sacramento State volleyball staff for five seasons (2010-14), Borchin joined the Cal Poly staff for the first time in 2015 as an assistant. While serving under then head coach Sam Crosson for three seasons, Borchin aided the Mustangs to a Big West regular season championship and an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2017.

In 2018, Borchin served as an assistant coach at Notre Dame before returning to Cal Poly in 2019 to be an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for the Mustangs during Walters’ first season as the head coach. Borchin served in that role for four seasons before being elevated to associate head coach in 2024, helping Cal Poly capture a Big West regular season title and a conference tournament championship in his final two seasons.

Across his nine seasons with the program, the Mustangs saw 42 players earn All-Big West Team honors, eight named to the All-Big West Freshman Team, seven secure All-Region praise and four grab AVCA All-American status.

Prior to beginning his coaching career as a volunteer assistant at Sacramento State in 2007, Borchin played for the Hornets’ men’s team for two seasons (2006-07) before transferring to Pacific, where he appeared in 86 matches from 2008-10. The Roseville, Calif. native graduated from Pacific in 2010 with a degree in sports sciences.

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Track & Field Releases 2026 Schedule

Published

2 hours ago

December 29, 2025

Your Sports Nation

BABSON PARK, Mass.— After a 2025 spring season that was highlighted by four All-East region selections and one athlete competing at the NCAA Championships, Babson College veteran head men’s and women’s track & field coach Russ Brennen officially announced the 2026 schedule on Monday.

For the second year in a row, the Beavers will open the season in Myrtle Beach, S.C., at the Alan Connie Shamrock Invitational on March 19-21. The Green and White come back to New England for the UMass Dartmouth Corsair Invitational on March 28.

Babson starts a busy month of April at the Coast Guard Invitational in New London, Conn., on April 4. The Beavers will be in Medford, Mass. the following weekend, beginning with day one of the Tufts Multi-Meet on April 10 and day two as part of the Tufts Invitational on April 11. The Green and White will wrap up the regular season at MIT’s annual Sean Collier Invitational on April 18.

The post-season begins with the New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) Championships at Coast Guard on April 24-25. The Division III New England Championships are slated for May 1-2 in Springfield, Mass.

Top qualifying competitors will go to the Farley Inter Regional Meet at Williams College on May 8-9. Selected Beavers will compete in the Last Chance qualifying meet at MIT on May 14, attempting to qualify for the NCAA national championships, which are at Veteran’s Memorial Field Sports Complex in La Crosse, Wisc. on May 21-24.

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Men’s Volleyball No. 2 In Big West Preseason Poll

Published

2 hours ago

December 29, 2025

Your Sports Nation

IRVINE, Calif. – The University of Hawai’i men’s volleyball team was picked second in the preseason Big West coaches’ poll while a trio of Rainbow Warriors were named to the seven-member preseason team – setter Tread Rosenthal, outside hitter Adrien Roure, and opposite Kristian Titriyski.

UH received 22 total points and trailed preseason favorite Long Beach State (24 points, 4 first-place votes). UC Irvine (21 points) was third followed by a three-way tie for fourth between CSUN (9), UC San Diego (9), and UC Santa Barbara (9).

Hawai’i returns five starters — Tread Rosenthal, Adrien Roure, Kristian Titriyski, Justin Todd, and Louis Sakanoko — and 12 lettermen from last year’s squad that finished 27-6 and advanced to the NCAA Championship semifinals. Rosenthal and Roure were AVCA first-team All-Americans while Titriyski was named to the second team.

LBSU had two players on the preseason team – Alex Kandev and Skyler Varga – while UCSB (George Bruening) and CSUN (Jalen Phillips) both had one.

The Rainbow Warriors, who captured their fourth Big West Championship title last season, were picked No. 2 in the AVCA Preseason Top 20 Coaches poll behind UCLA. Hawai’i garnered seven first place votes, two more than Long Beach State, who was third.

2026 Big West Preseason Coaches’ Poll
Rk. Team – Points (1^st Place Votes)
1. Long Beach State – 24 (4)
2. Hawai’i – 22 (2)
3. UC Irvine – 17
T4. CSUN – 9
T4. UC San Diego – 9
T4. UC Santa Barbara – 9

2026 Big West Preseason Coaches’ Team
George Bruening, R-So., Outside Hitter, UC Santa Barbara, Newport Beach, Calif.
Alex Kandev, So., Outside Hitter, Long Beach State, Sofia, Bulgaria
Jalen Phillips, R-Jr., Opposite Hitter, CSUN, Anaheim, Calif.
Tread Rosenthal, Jr., Setter, Hawai’i, Austin, Texas
Adrien Roure, So, Outside Hitter, Hawai’i, Lyon, France
Kristian Titriyski, So., Opposite Hitter, Hawai’i, Sofia, Bulgaria
Skyler Varga, R-Sr., Opposite Hitter, Long Beach State, Muenster, Saskatchewan