After a five-set loss against the University of Northern Colorado in the Big Sky Volleyball Tournament semifinals last season, the Weber State University volleyball team enters the 2025 season as the preseason favorites to win the conference.
The preseason coaches’ poll doesn’t faze head coach Jeremiah Larsen.
“We don’t put much stock in that poll. It’s nice that coaches think we’re good, but really all it does is put a target on our back … Honestly, when it came out, we were completely indifferent,” Larsen said.
The Wildcats experienced some turnover from last season, losing setter Kate Payne as a player, outside hitter Baylee Bodily and middle blocker Liana Woodley to graduation. Outside hitter Mia Peterson left the team because she moved to South Carolina with her new husband, Clemson University basketball center Carter Welling. Kate Payne will be returning as an assistant coach this season.
Additionally, outside hitters Ali Wiest and Victoria Marthaler transferred to Grand Canyon University and California State University, Sacramento, respectively, while libero Maggie Kamp transferred to Tennessee Tech University to play beach volleyball.
The Wildcats added new talent to fill those gaps, including outside hitters Kaylie Ray from Utah State University, Melanie Merrill from Eastern Arizona College and Maggie Larsen from Snow College. They also brought in new freshmen in setter Addison Eastwood, middle blocker Ziya Munyer and redshirt freshman opposite hitter Rylee Parkinson, who played for the Wildcats in 2023 but has just returned from serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
“They’re still learning what it’s like to play at Weber State, but most importantly, they’re committed to being good volleyball players for the team. It’s not about them — it’s about making us better. I can’t complain at all,” Larsen said.
Senior outside hitter Ashley Gneiting had a career year last season, placing fifth in the Big Sky in kills with 61 and sixth in points with 239.5, earning first-team All-Big Sky conference honors.
She was selected to the preseason All-Big Sky team this season, but that hasn’t changed her outlook on the upcoming season.
“It’s awesome to be recognized and cool in that way, but I feel like I have a lot of work to do to keep learning and growing — and so does my team. That’s really where my focus is,” said Gneiting.
Along with Gneiting, other Wildcats have stepped up this past offseason.
“Rose Moore is going to be someone to watch — she’s completely different than last year. Ashley Gneiting is really good right now. Jayda Tupea is a very strong at left side hitter…. Ashley, Jayda and Rose have all really excelled. Marly Pratt has only gotten better and her sister Morgan is figuring out how to be a setter,” Larsen said.
The Wildcats opened their season with the Wildcat Invitational, with games against the University of Nevada, Reno on Aug. 29, the University of California, Irvine, later that day and finishing off the tournament against Southern Utah University on Aug. 30.
