Clemente, Vaulet Add Preseason Honors
07/30/26 | Women's Volleyball
The Ducks host their Green-Yellow Scrimmage on Aug. 15 at 1 p.m.
EUGENE, Ore. — Oregon volleyball sophomore Alanah Clemente has earned a spot on the 2026 AVCA Division I Player of the Year preseason watch list as revealed Thursday morning. Additionally, Clemente and UO teammate Valentina Vaulet have been named to the 2026 All-Big Ten Preseason Team.
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Clemente is the reigning Big Ten Freshman of the Year and was a 2025 AVCA Third Team All-American after her standout debut season. She accounted for 4.73 points per set a season ago and finished sixth among Big Ten players with 3.89 kills per set. The Santa Clarita, Calif., native also finished third in the league with 51 service aces.
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The 30-player AVCA watch list is being unveiled over three days; the first 10 were released Wednesday with the final 10 on Friday. The list was compiled by the AVCA Division I WVB Awards Committee.
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2026 AVCA Player of the Year Preseason Watch List
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Vaulet posted career highs in total points (454.5), kills (371) and hitting percentage (.266) in 2025, and led the Big Ten with 56 service aces. She reached double-digit kills in 23 of 30 matches and had at least one ace in 27 of 30 matches. The UO senior added 75 points to her hitting efficiency from the previous season.
Both Clemente and Vaulet were members of the 2025 All-Big Ten First Team.
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Oregon was picked to finish eighth in the Big Ten coaches preseason poll, also released Thursday. The Ducks were 17-13 overall a season ago, their first under head coach Trent Kersten, with an 8-12 record in conference play. Along with Clemente and Vaulet, the team returns eight from last year's roster and welcomes eight newcomers.
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Big Ten Announces Postseason Volleyball Tournament
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The Ducks will host two preseason matches beginning with the team's Green-Yellow Scrimmage on Aug. 15 followed by an exhibition matchup against Utah (Aug. 21), also at Matthew Knight Arena. Both will be free and open to the public.
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The regular season begins Aug. 28-29 at the SEMO Tournament in Cape Girardeau, Mo.
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For more news and information about Oregon Volleyball, follow @OregonVB on Instagram and Twitter, and @OregonVolleyball on Facebook.
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Clemente is the reigning Big Ten Freshman of the Year and was a 2025 AVCA Third Team All-American after her standout debut season. She accounted for 4.73 points per set a season ago and finished sixth among Big Ten players with 3.89 kills per set. The Santa Clarita, Calif., native also finished third in the league with 51 service aces.
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The 30-player AVCA watch list is being unveiled over three days; the first 10 were released Wednesday with the final 10 on Friday. The list was compiled by the AVCA Division I WVB Awards Committee.
Â
2026 AVCA Player of the Year Preseason Watch List
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Vaulet posted career highs in total points (454.5), kills (371) and hitting percentage (.266) in 2025, and led the Big Ten with 56 service aces. She reached double-digit kills in 23 of 30 matches and had at least one ace in 27 of 30 matches. The UO senior added 75 points to her hitting efficiency from the previous season.
Both Clemente and Vaulet were members of the 2025 All-Big Ten First Team.
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Oregon was picked to finish eighth in the Big Ten coaches preseason poll, also released Thursday. The Ducks were 17-13 overall a season ago, their first under head coach Trent Kersten, with an 8-12 record in conference play. Along with Clemente and Vaulet, the team returns eight from last year's roster and welcomes eight newcomers.
Â
Big Ten Announces Postseason Volleyball Tournament
Â
The Ducks will host two preseason matches beginning with the team's Green-Yellow Scrimmage on Aug. 15 followed by an exhibition matchup against Utah (Aug. 21), also at Matthew Knight Arena. Both will be free and open to the public.
Â
The regular season begins Aug. 28-29 at the SEMO Tournament in Cape Girardeau, Mo.
Â
For more news and information about Oregon Volleyball, follow @OregonVB on Instagram and Twitter, and @OregonVolleyball on Facebook.
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's VolleyballSunday, November 23
Thursday, November 20
Monday, November 10
Friday, November 07
