LONG BEACH STATE

The Wahine have had epic battles with the 49ers and coach Brian Gimmillaro (32nd season) going on for four decades. Key to capturing The Beach will be slowing down senior hitter Nele Barber and junior middle Ashley Murray. With two young setters, the 49ers likely won’t level up past second.

CAL POLY

The Mustangs will likely challenge The Beach for No. 2 in the conference. Key captures will be sophomore hitter Adlee Van Winden, last year’s Big West Freshman of the Year, and three other first-teamers: senior middle Taylor Gruenewald, junior setter Taylor Nelson and junior hitter Raeann Greisen.

UC IRVINE

The Anteaters leveled up with their preseason schedule with five Pac-12 teams, a good sign for the Big West’s RPI. Second-year coach Ashlie Hain has key players back but maybe not enough to improve on last year’s fifth-place finish. The key capture is sophomore hitter Harlee Kekauoha, who led the ‘Eaters in kills (3.33 kps) last season.

UC DAVIS

The Aggies continue to bulk up under third-year coach Dan Connors but youth could be their downfall (six freshmen, eight sophomores). Key captures are junior opposite Kendall Walbrecht and sophomore middle Kelechi Ohiri.

UC SANTA BARBARA

The Gauchos nabbed the No. 24 recruiting class in the country and added redshirt freshman setter Hannah Juley, a transfer from Wisconsin. The key capture is 6-4 middle Phoebe Grunt, one of only two seniors on the third-year coach Nicole Lantagne Welch’s roster.

CSUN

Talent plus inexperience equals a learning season for the Matadors, whose 15th-year coach Jeff Stork might again pivot at setter with senior Maddie Leiphardt and junior Lauren Conati. The two will be pushed by freshman Kamalu Makekau-Whittaker (Kamehameha-Hawaii). Key captures are junior libero Katie Sato and taming the Blacktop crowd in the Matadome.

UC RIVERSIDE

Five starters are back from the Highlander team that had the most conference wins (five) since joining the Big West 2002. Fourth-year coach Michelle Patton-Cole added 11 newcomers, including two sophomore transfers in middles Brooke Callahan (Grossmont College) and Jordyn Griggs (Fresno State). Key capture is senior libero Maddie Hubbell, the only libero on the All-Big West team last season.

CSU FULLERTON

The Titans had no Wallbreakers last year, going 0-28 overall and riding a 19-match conference losing streak dating back to 2014. Second-year coach Ashley Preston’s squad is still in its incubation stage. Key capture is 6-foot sophomore hitter Shimen Fayad, a transfer from Wichita State.