Photo by: Jackson Thornborrow / SMC Athletics
VB | Kelnarova Named to 2026 WCC Preseason Team, Gaels Picked to Finish Fifth in Preseason Poll
8/19/2026 10:01:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
SAN BRUNO, Calif. — With 12 newcomers on their 2026 roster, there is a sense of curious excitement around the Saint Mary's Volleyball program, but the coaches of the West Coast Conference made it clear when voting for the preseason All-WCC team; there are high expectations for junior outside hitter Antonie Kelnarova. Kelnarova was the lone Gael named to the 16 player preseason list, a list that has featured at least one Gael in each of the last four years.
Kelnarova was a standout at UIC in her first two collegiate seasons. The Prague, Czechia native finished out her time with the flames with nearly 500 kills and 400 digs in her freshman and sophomore campaigns, earning Missouri Valley Conference All-Freshman honors in 2024 and second team All-MVC honors in 2025. She became a household name amongst MVC volleyball fans in the 2024 conference tournament, going for 51 kills and 25 digs en route to an all-tournament nod.
As a team, the Gaels were picked to finish fifth in the WCC, but were just one point behind Santa Clara, who was picked to finish fourth, and only five points behind third place pick LMU. This is the highest the Gaels have been picked in a preseason WCC poll since 2023, when they were picked to finish tied for fourth place. A year ago, the Gaels finished tied for sixth place in the conference with a 9-9 record against WCC foes. Here's a look at the full preseason team and poll:
2026 West Coast Conference Volleyball Preseason Coaches Poll
Team (first-place votes) points
1. San Diego (9) 81
2. Pepperdine (1) 72
3. LMU 59
4. Santa Clara 55
5. Saint Mary's 54
6. Denver 44
7. San Francisco 29
8. Portland 28
T-9. Pacific 14
T-9. Seattle U 14
2026 West Coast Conference Volleyball Preseason Team
Kierstyn Barton, San Diego
Nemo Beach, San Diego
Macy Hinshaw, Santa Clara
Havannah Hoeft, Portland
Antonie Kelnarova, Saint Mary's
Kylie Munday, San Diego
Ella Piskorz, Pepperdine
Chloe Pravednikov, Pepperdine
Tristen Raymond, Pepperdine
Maui Robins, Portland
Anya Santrac, LMU
Cate Shanahan, Santa Clara
BayLea Sparks, San Diego
Aleksandra Stojanovic, LMU
Maria Tabacuks, LMU
Lexi Trapani, Santa Clara
Don't miss a second of Saint Mary's Volleyball action in 2026! Tickets are on sale here!
#GaelsRise
Kelnarova was a standout at UIC in her first two collegiate seasons. The Prague, Czechia native finished out her time with the flames with nearly 500 kills and 400 digs in her freshman and sophomore campaigns, earning Missouri Valley Conference All-Freshman honors in 2024 and second team All-MVC honors in 2025. She became a household name amongst MVC volleyball fans in the 2024 conference tournament, going for 51 kills and 25 digs en route to an all-tournament nod.
As a team, the Gaels were picked to finish fifth in the WCC, but were just one point behind Santa Clara, who was picked to finish fourth, and only five points behind third place pick LMU. This is the highest the Gaels have been picked in a preseason WCC poll since 2023, when they were picked to finish tied for fourth place. A year ago, the Gaels finished tied for sixth place in the conference with a 9-9 record against WCC foes. Here's a look at the full preseason team and poll:
2026 West Coast Conference Volleyball Preseason Coaches Poll
Team (first-place votes) points
1. San Diego (9) 81
2. Pepperdine (1) 72
3. LMU 59
4. Santa Clara 55
5. Saint Mary's 54
6. Denver 44
7. San Francisco 29
8. Portland 28
T-9. Pacific 14
T-9. Seattle U 14
2026 West Coast Conference Volleyball Preseason Team
Kierstyn Barton, San Diego
Nemo Beach, San Diego
Macy Hinshaw, Santa Clara
Havannah Hoeft, Portland
Antonie Kelnarova, Saint Mary's
Kylie Munday, San Diego
Ella Piskorz, Pepperdine
Chloe Pravednikov, Pepperdine
Tristen Raymond, Pepperdine
Maui Robins, Portland
Anya Santrac, LMU
Cate Shanahan, Santa Clara
BayLea Sparks, San Diego
Aleksandra Stojanovic, LMU
Maria Tabacuks, LMU
Lexi Trapani, Santa Clara
Don't miss a second of Saint Mary's Volleyball action in 2026! Tickets are on sale here!
#GaelsRise
Players Mentioned
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