Arizona Western Volleyball eyes return to form after disappointing 2025 Season

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) - The Arizona Western College volleyball team is entering its 12th season under head coach Lorayne Chandler with a renewed sense of optimism and a clear goal: returning the program to its dominant ways.

After a season that fell short of the program’s lofty expectations, the Matadors are determined to bounce back in 2026. Despite finishing 6-6 in conference play and reaching the Region I semifinals, the campaign was viewed as a disappointment for a team accustomed to competing for championships.

Arizona Western had appeared in seven consecutive Region I finals before last season. The 2025 campaign also marked just the second time during Chandler’s tenure that the Matadors failed to post a winning record in the ACCAC, the first occurring during her inaugural season as head coach.

“I can make a long list of excuses, but at the end of the day, we just didn’t have all the ducks in a row that we needed to at that point in the season,” Chandler said.

The Matadors spent the offseason focused on ensuring last year’s shortcomings would not be repeated. Following their Region I semifinal exit, Chandler and her staff emphasized adding depth throughout the roster.

“In how we recruit is how we don’t end up that way again, so we’ve put in a lot of hard work in the offseason to make sure we’ve put together a team that’s gonna surpass that,” Chandler said.

Sophomore libero and defensive specialist Shayden Aguigui has already noticed the difference.

“I can feel the improvement from last year to this year, and the team, the chemistry has just been great,” Aguigui said.

With only five players returning from last season’s squad, Arizona Western is counting on a mix of transfers and newcomers to make an immediate impact. Among the additions is 6-foot-1 attacker Konstantina Loizidi, who arrives from Mineral Area College after helping her previous team reach the national tournament. Freshman middle blocker Khanzas Tuisamatatele is another newcomer expected to contribute right away.

Chandler believes the blend of experience and leadership from the incoming class will help the Matadors regain their status as one of the region’s top programs.

“Even though we have five returners, we have a ton of freshmen coming in, and the leadership qualities that they are bringing in, the experience that they are bringing in, I think is going to make it where we get back to where we need to be, which is in that Region I Final,” Chandler said.

Tuisamatatele is also embracing a new challenge after making the transition from outside hitter to middle blocker.

“It’s definitely a different position — footwork, how you move, and everything — but I think having the environment of my teammates and coaches makes it easier on learning the position,” Tuisamatatele said.

The early returns have been encouraging.

Arizona Western opened the season by going a perfect 3-0 at the Chapman Automotive Invitational, winning every match without dropping a single set.

While there is still plenty of volleyball left to be played, the Matadors have shown signs that last season’s disappointment may serve as motivation for a successful turnaround. With improved depth, strong chemistry and an influx of talent, Arizona Western appears poised to contend once again for a spot in the Region I Final.