TEMPE - The 2026 season is shaping up to be a big one for Arizona State beach volleyball. Now entering their third year under head coach Kristen Glattfelder and their second competing in the Big 12, the Sand Devils have a stacked schedule ahead - one that includes matchups with some of the top programs in the country and a chance to build on last year’s record-setting campaign.
The Sand Devils will hit the sand for 10 weekends of competition this spring, with two of those weekends taking place at home in Tempe. And make no mistake - this schedule is no walk on the beach.
ASU will face 10 of the 16 teams that made it to the 2025 NCAA Beach Volleyball Championship, including all four national semifinalists: TCU, LMU, Cal Poly and UCLA. In other words, the Sand Devils aren’t easing into anything - they’re diving headfirst into elite competition.
Season Starts Close to Home, But Against the Nation’s Best
Things get underway just across the Valley at the Canyon Classic, hosted by Grand Canyon University from February 20-21. ASU will take on GCU, Colorado Mesa, UC Davis, and reigning national and Big 12 champion TCU. That’s a stiff early test - TCU is the gold standard right now in beach volleyball, and the Sand Devils will get an immediate measuring stick for where they stand.
From there, ASU heads south to Tucson for the Cactus Classic on February 27, where they’ll face off against in-state rival Arizona and Georgia State. The Wildcats always bring intensity to the court, and that matchup will be one to circle - especially after ASU’s 9-1 home record last season included a key win over Arizona.
Home Opener Brings Regional Rivals to Tempe
The Sand Devils return home for the Sun Devil Classic from March 6-7, hosting Arizona, Southern Miss, Arizona Christian, and Nebraska. It’s the first of just two home weekends for ASU this season, and it gives fans a chance to see a squad that’s not only talented but coming off a season where they made serious noise in the Big 12.
A Grueling Road Stretch Against National Powers
March will test this team’s depth and resilience. ASU hits the road for three straight weekends, starting with the East Meets West Invitational in Manhattan Beach (March 13-14).
That tournament features a heavyweight lineup: NCAA runner-up LMU, perennial powerhouse UCLA, Hawai’i, and Cal. It’s one of the toughest events on the college beach volleyball calendar, and it’ll give ASU a chance to prove they belong in that top-tier conversation.
Next up is the Death Volley Invitational at LSU from March 20-21. The Sand Devils will square off against Georgia State, Texas, Florida State, and host LSU - another loaded group. Then it’s off to TCU for the Big 12 Preview Tournament from March 27-28, a key opportunity for ASU to scout - and challenge - their conference rivals ahead of the postseason.
Back Home Before the Final Push
April opens with the Sparky Invitational (April 3-4), ASU’s second and final home tournament of the season. They’ll host Stetson, GCU, FIU, and Ottawa - a solid mix of competition that should give the Sand Devils a chance to fine-tune before the final stretch.
Then it’s back on the road for the COE Challenge at Cal Poly (April 10-11), where ASU will again face Cal Poly, UCLA, and California - three teams with postseason pedigree. A lone dual at Long Beach State on April 17 rounds out the regular season before the Sand Devils head to Tucson for the Big 12 Championships on April 23-24.
Building on a Breakout Year
Last season, ASU didn’t just take a step forward - they made a leap. In their first year in the Big 12, the Sand Devils posted a program-best 22-14 record, went 9-1 at home, and cracked the top 15 in the AVCA Coaches Poll, finishing at No.
- They also reached the Big 12 Championship final, pushing powerhouse TCU to the brink in a narrow 3-2 loss.
That success didn’t go unnoticed. Daniella Kensinger, Ava Kirunchyk, and Samaya Morin were all named to the Big 12 All-Conference Team, with Morin also earning AVCA Second Team All-American honors. On top of that, three ASU pairs were recognized as Big 12 Pair of the Week - a testament to the depth and chemistry this roster brings.
The Road Ahead
With a schedule that reads like a who’s who of collegiate beach volleyball, ASU has a chance to solidify its place among the sport’s elite. The pieces are there - a proven coach in Glattfelder, a core of returning talent, and a program that’s clearly trending upward.
Now it’s about taking the next step.
The Sand Devils won’t sneak up on anyone this year. But if they can navigate this gauntlet of a schedule and stay healthy, they’ll be in the thick of the national conversation come spring.