"Leave the jersey better than they found it." 

More than just numbers or stats, that’s what San Francisco State Women’s Volleyball sets off to do this season. 

In 2024, the Gators made history. First, the team earned runner up in the DII NCAA Volleyball Championship, San Francisco State’s first ever appearance at the championship game. They then tallied a program high of 26-7 overall and program records for most kills (1727) and assists (1607) in a season, closing out their most successful campaign with a bang. 

Building off the momentum, the Gators appeared No. 4 in the AVCA DII Preseason Coaches Poll and No. 2 in the CCAA preseason poll behind Cal Poly Pomona, last year’s regular season champs. September 4, kicked off their new season against Central Washington. 

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Head Coach Matt Hoffman said focusing on enjoying the moment helped the team stay loose during the end of last season, resulting in a great run.

“What we're trying to bring from last year is that experience,” Hoffman said. “Having been there and played in those big matches (will bring) a little bit of moxie into our program.”

Last year’s wins made great strides for the program’s overall development. Senior Tamiya Wilson, right side, and junior Aidan Goodrich, outside hitter, both of whom were instrumental in the team’s 2024 success, made the CCAA preseason watchlist.

Another major player in the Gator’s 2024 game was then senior Izzy Issak, who set the record for most kills in a season (495). Issak now returns to the gym not as a player but as an assistant coach.

“She knows all of our terminology, knows all of the drills and (knows) how we want to play,” Hoffman said. “It's been seamless.”

For the Gators, preseason lasted only two-and-a-half weeks. The main focus of that time, rather than just technical skill: building team synergy. 

“It's more (about) integration with the new and returning players…and trying to get everyone playing the same kind of volleyball,” Hoffman said.

One of the first steps in bringing in new talent for the Gators is deciding on a mantra. Every year the team chooses a phrase that acts as their north star throughout the season, keeping them focused and grounded. Last year’s was “choose us,” pointing to a collective consideration and care. This year, they continue the theme of togetherness with the idea of leaving the jersey better than you found it.

“When you're stepping into that jersey, stepping into that role, how can you make it better on and off the court as a person and a player,” said Goodrich.

Follow the San Francisco State women's volleyball team's story in 2025 and the rest of the CCAA season live on FloCollege.

AVCA NCAA Division II Women's Volleyball Preseason Poll 

Team, (First place votes), total points.

1. Lynn (45) - 1,171
2. Angelo State (1) - 1,014
3. St. Cloud State - 1,005
4. San Francisco State - 973
5. Ferris State (1) - 907
6. MSU Denver - 843
7. Central Oklahoma - 810
8. West Texas A&M - 765
9. Chaminade - 756
10. Tampa - 747
11. Cal Poly Pomona - 738
12. Nebraska-Kearney - 656
13. Concordia-St. Paul - 63
14. Grand Valley State - 495
15. Southwest Minnesota State - 486
16. Point Loma - 473
17. Wingate - 424
18. Bentley - 334
19. Gannon - 291
20. Barry - 278
21. Wayne State (Neb.) - 266
22. Washburn - 210
23. Colorado Mesa - 132
24. Findlay - 111
25. Northern State - 100

San Francisco State Women's Volleyball Schedule 2025

Click here to watch the San Francisco State Women's Volleyball team this season live on FloCollege.

September

• Sep. 6 (Fri), 7:30 p.m. – Central Washington, Bellingham, Wash. (WECU Court at Carver Gym)
• Sep. 7 (Sat), 2 p.m. – MSU Denver, Bellingham, Wash. (WECU Court at Carver Gym)
• Sep. 7 (Sat), 10 p.m. – Western Washington, Bellingham, Wash. (WECU Court at Carver Gym)
• Sep. 12 (Thu), 7 p.m. – CSU Pueblo, San Francisco (SFFCU Gymnasium at Don Nasser Family Plaza)
• Sep. 13 (Fri), 12 p.m. – Lubbock Christian vs. Concordia, San Francisco (SFFCU Gymnasium at Don Nasser Family Plaza)
• Sep. 13 (Fri), 2:30 p.m. – Hawai'i Hilo, San Francisco (SFFCU Gymnasium at Don Nasser Family Plaza)
• Sep. 13 (Fri), 7:30 p.m. – Hawai'i Hilo vs. Lubbock Christian, San Francisco (SFFCU Gymnasium at Don Nasser Family Plaza)
• Sep. 13 (Fri), 10 p.m. – Concordia, San Francisco (SFFCU Gymnasium at Don Nasser Family Plaza)
• Sep. 14 (Sat), 1 p.m. – Fresno Pacific vs. Lubbock Christian, San Francisco (SFFCU Gymnasium at Don Nasser Family Plaza)
• Sep. 14 (Sat), 6 p.m. – Lubbock Christian, San Francisco (SFFCU Gymnasium at Don Nasser Family Plaza)
• Sep. 20 (Fri), 8 p.m. – Cal State San Marcos, San Marcos, Calif. (Sports Center)
• Sep. 21 (Sat), 8 p.m. – Cal Poly Pomona, Pomona, Calif. (Kellogg Arena)
• Sep. 26 (Thu), 8 p.m. – Cal State Monterey Bay, San Francisco (SFFCU Gymnasium at Don Nasser Family Plaza)
• Sep. 28 (Sat), 4 p.m. – Cal State East Bay, San Francisco (SFFCU Gymnasium at Don Nasser Family Plaza)
• Sep. 29 (Sun), 10 p.m. – Chaminade, San Francisco (SFFCU Gymnasium at Don Nasser Family Plaza)

October

• Oct. 4 (Fri), 8 p.m. – Stanislaus State, Turlock, Calif. (Ed & Bertha Fitzpatrick Arena)
• Oct. 5 (Sat), 8 p.m. – Chico State, Chico, Calif. (Art Acker Gymnasium)
• Oct. 10 (Thu), 10 p.m. – Sonoma State, Rohnert Park, Calif. (The Wolves' Den)
• Oct. 12 (Sat), 8 p.m. – Cal Poly Humboldt, Arcata, Calif. (Lumberjack Arena)
• Oct. 17 (Thu), 8 p.m. – Cal State San Bernardino, San Francisco (SFFCU Gymnasium at Don Nasser Family Plaza)
• Oct. 19 (Sat), 8 p.m. – Cal State San Bernardino, San Bernardino, Calif. (Coussoulis Arena)
• Oct. 24 (Thu), 8 p.m. – Cal State Dominguez Hills, San Francisco (SFFCU Gymnasium at Don Nasser Family Plaza)
• Oct. 26 (Sat), 4 p.m. – Cal State LA, San Francisco (SFFCU Gymnasium at Don Nasser Family Plaza)
• Oct. 31 (Thu), 8 p.m. – Chico State, San Francisco (SFFCU Gymnasium at Don Nasser Family Plaza)

November

• Nov. 2 (Sat), 4 p.m. – Stanislaus State, San Francisco (SFFCU Gymnasium at Don Nasser Family Plaza)
• Nov. 7 (Thu), 8 p.m. – Cal State East Bay, Hayward, Calif. (Pioneer Gymnasium)
• Nov. 9 (Sat), 8 p.m. – Cal State Monterey Bay, Seaside, Calif. (The Kelp Bed)
• Nov. 14 (Thu), 8 p.m. – Cal State San Marcos, San Francisco (SFFCU Gymnasium at Don Nasser Family Plaza)
• Nov. 16 (Sat), 4 p.m. – Cal Poly Pomona, San Francisco (SFFCU Gymnasium at Don Nasser Family Plaza)
• Nov. 22 (Fri), 6 p.m. – Stanislaus State, Pomona, Calif. (Kellogg Arena)

December

• Dec. 5 (Thu), 10 p.m. – Cal State LA, Pomona, Calif. (Kellogg Arena)
• Dec. 6 (Fri), 10 p.m. – Chaminade, Pomona, Calif. (Kellogg Arena)
• Dec. 7 (Sat), 8 p.m. – Cal Poly Pomona, Pomona, Calif. (Kellogg Arena)
• Dec. 12 (Thu), 2:30 p.m. – Central Oklahoma, Sioux Falls, S.D. (Sanford Pentagon)
• Dec. 13 (Fri), 5 p.m. – Angelo State, Sioux Falls, S.D. (Sanford Pentagon)
• Dec. 14 (Sat), 6 p.m. – Lynn, Sioux Falls, S.D. (Sanford Pentagon)

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