LA VERNE, Calif. – The Chapman University women's volleyball team posted a 1-2 record at the Pacific Coast Classic to start the 2026 season. The Panthers played four sets in all three matches, defeating Lassel to start the season before dropping the final two matches of the tournament.

Sasha Pugh led the Panthers through the weekend of her Chapman debut. The freshman middle blocker averaged over four kills per set and hit .308 in her first weekend of college volleyball. She had 16 kills in the win over Lassell and 17 in the loss to Gordon on Friday. She wrapped up the weekend with another 16 kills in the narrow loss to Carleton.

The season started with a 25-15, 25-18, 23-25, 25-22 win over Lassel with Pugh's 16 kills leading the way. Freshman Boyd Killion added eight kills and Ava Bradbury had seven total blocks.

A tight second matchup went the other way as Gordon outlasted the Panthers 26-24, 25-18, 20-25, 36-34. The fourth set was one of the longest in recent memory for the Panthers, who ran out of subs in the extra points. Both setters and defensive specialist Lia Ono all rotated through the front row while the Panthers stayed alive in the set. Eventually, Gordon was able to clinch the marathon set and the match.

Pugh was one of four Panthers in double figures with 17 kills and three blocks. Clara Cronin had 25 digs.

The Panthers returned on Saturday to take on Carleton and played four tight sets before falling, 25-22, 25-27, 25-21, 28-26. Pugh had another 16 kills and six blocks while Angelina Solis had a double-double with 10 kills and 10 digs.

Chapman travels to Whittier next weekend to take on Whitman, Batten and Pacific.