This post was updated Aug. 23 at 6:28 p.m.

UCLA Athletics is no longer the new fish in the pond. After its inaugural year in the Big Ten, UCLA made its name known, winning four Big Ten tournament championships. Before the Bruins commence their sophomore season, Daily Bruin Sports staff breaks down the best- and worst-case scenarios for each team, as well as a key storyline to follow throughout each season.

Baseball
Gabriela Garcia, Assistant Sports editor

Best case: Winning Men’s College World Series

After a forgettable 2024 season, UCLA baseball turned its fortunes around this year, advancing to the Men’s College World Series for the first time since winning it all in 2013. Even though they didn’t secure the national title, the junior class gained another year of experience while participating on collegiate baseball’s biggest stage.

Of the returning players that had significant playing time, five finished with averages north of .300, and the squad will lose just one graduating senior from its everyday lineup. With the rest of the lineup becoming draft eligible at the end of next season, the Bruins will need to band together for what could represent most players’ final opportunity to hoist a national championship trophy.

Worst case: Starting pitching woes continue, collapsing in super regional

It’s no secret that starting pitching exposed the Bruins last season, and although the bullpen along with the offense tried to make up for it, the struggles caught up to them eventually. The weekend rotation saw changes throughout the season due to injury, academic ineligibility and players moving in and out of the bullpen. Combining for a 4.62 season ERA, the rotation rarely made it through more than five innings during the 2025 campaign – something coach John Savage, who has made a career out of developing quality starting pitchers, isn’t used to. The struggles mounted, and the Bruins’ pitching staff surrendered 20 runs in the Men’s College World Series, appearing to run out of gas in the postseason. If the pitching issues bleed into next season, UCLA could fall even earlier in the postseason.

Storyline to watch: Roch Cholowsky’s junior season

Junior shortstop Roch Cholowsky has the opportunity to build on a sensational sophomore campaign before he becomes draft eligible. With the conclusion of the 2025 draft, baseball experts projected Cholowsky could be a potential No.1 overall pick in the 2026 draft. Most can only dream of a sophomore campaign that includes winning Big Ten Player of the Year, Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and Golden Spikes semifinalist honors. But Cholowsky did not stop there, earning 16 additional accolades, including ABCA/Rawlings Player of the Year and Perfect Game Player of the Year selections. Cholowsky led the team with a slash line of .353/.480/.710 and 23 home runs, and the Chandler, Arizona, local has proved that he is a name to keep on your radar heading into the 2026 season.

Men’s basketball
Connor Dullinger, Sports editor

Best case: Elite Eight appearance

It’s impossible not to be excited about this team. The Bruins are returning three of their five starters, including their sole All-Big Ten selection in senior forward Tyler Bilodeau. Add 2024-2025 Mountain West Player of the Year Donovan Dent to the mix, and you’re cooking with gas. Dent – one of the premier players in the transfer portal – will make a dramatic improvement to a backcourt that lacked elite scoring last season. There is no storyline to watch with Dent because he’s going to give the Bruins exactly what they need – a true slashing point guard that can efficiently shoot from beyond the arc and effectively run out in transition. With a bolstered backcourt featuring sophomore guard and former McDonald’s All-American Trent Perry off the bench – and a year of experience playing together under their belt – this squad should have everything it takes to make extended runs in both the conference and national tournaments.

Worst case: Round of 32 exit

History always seems to repeat itself. And for UCLA, recent history has been defined by ultra-talented teams falling short of expectations. The 2021-2022 season saw a Johnny Juzang-led squad fall to the Tar Heels in the Sweet Sixteen, despite leading by three with 2:07 left on the clock. The following year, UCLA boasted one of its most skilled teams of the century – featuring four NBA Draft picks alongside Tyger Campbell and David Singleton – yet fell in the Sweet Sixteen on a logo three from Gonzaga’s Julian Strawther. Recency bias makes it seem that the Bruins must be picture-perfect to escape a tragic defeat. But shooting struggles, injuries and last-minute heaves have followed the Bruins wherever they go. While his team has the experience, leadership and skillset to go the distance in March, history has shown that the best man does not always win.

Storyline to watch: Emergence of Xavier Booker

While Dent made the headlines, arguably the Bruins’ biggest story of the offseason was junior center Aday Mara. The 7-foot-3 Spanish prodigy seemed to take a massive step forward in his sophomore campaign, and his return could have made this team a Final Four contender. However, his exit to Michigan means that someone else has to step into the spotlight. Enter: Michigan State transfer and junior forward Xavier Booker. The 6-foot-11 big man is a different player than Mara. While he may not dominate the interior with a lanky and imposing frame, he possesses athleticism, touch and a technical skill set that could make him a more dynamic player than Mara ever was. Moreover, his speed may be more apt for coach Mick Cronin’s fast-paced, full-court pressing defense. While he may pass the eye test, Booker needs to prove it on the court. And on the hardwood, he needs to embody the true center role, allowing Bilodeau to slide into the power forward position where he can focus on his scoring ability and lessen the defensive load he faced last season.

Women’s basketball
Willa Campion, Assistant Sports editor

Best case: National champions

A double-digit defeat of the reigning national champions. A Big Ten tournament trophy in their inaugural season. A program first No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA tournament. All the Bruins’ achievements last season seemed to be paving the way to the national title game. But a tournament exit just before the final contest eliminated title dreams. And now UCLA women’s basketball has likely returned to Westwood with the taste of what could have been lingering in its mouth. And this season, the Bruins have the roster to capture a NCAA tournament trophy.

With the return of Naismith Defensive Player of the Year and senior center Lauren Betts, who not only powers the Bruins’ defense but also represents the Bruins’ primary scoring option, along with the addition of McDonald’s All-American and the No. 2 member of the 2025 recruiting class forward Sienna Betts, some sister magic is bound to strike Pauley Pavilion. Guards Gabriela Jaquez and Kiki Rice return to UCLA for their senior campaigns with plenty of experience to pass on to the freshman class, which isn’t limited to the younger Betts. Guard Lena Bilić, who recently posted 41 points during Croatia’s third place finish at the FIBA U18 World Cup, is also set to join the squad. Get ready to be sick of hearing about UCLA women’s basketball because they aren’t leaving the conversation anytime soon.

Worst case: Early NCAA tournament exit

It’s hard to forget the Bruins’ record-setting 34 point Final Four loss to UConn. After a historic NCAA tournament run, UCLA seemingly fell apart when the pressure mounted. A strong offensive performance – the Huskies shot a collective 43.8% on 3s – and defensive dominance – Geno Auriemma’s squad restricted the Bruins’ to a season-low 51 points – from the soon-to-be nationals champions didn’t help.

But the Huskies’ performance wasn’t the only thing that cemented the Bruins’ fate. UCLA appeared to open the door to self-doubt, especially when it came to shooting and facilitating the ball – starters Jaquez and guard Londynn Jones combined for zero points and the team racked up 19 turnovers. Mental fortitude is just as important as physical preparation in any game, but the ability to stay cool under the bright lights determines the longevity of a team come March, when enough confidence can give any squad Cinderella aspirations. If the Bruins can’t figure out how to shake off early mistakes to settle into the style of play that earned them 12 consecutive weeks atop the national rankings last year, next season’s squad could face an early tournament upset and an abrupt end to the 2025-26 campaign.

Storyline to watch: Roster turnover

In late April, UCLA was shaping up to be on the losing end of the postseason transfer portal. And at the time, it was a fair assessment. The Bruins had lost 2025 Big Ten Sixth Player of the Year forward Janiah Barker, Jones – who ranked fourth on the program’s all-time 3-point scoring list as a junior – and the entirety of their freshman class, the latter of whom albeit didn’t see much playing time. But that was before Cori Close picked up Utah graduate guard Gianna Kneepkens, who could tip the scales in UCLA’s favor.

While Close will struggle to replace Barker’s prowess off the bench, Kneepkens’ strength beyond the arc – she boasted a 44.8% shooting percentage from the 3-point line during her senior season – could address the loss of Jones’ shooting range. And with the Bruin debut of graduate guard Charlisse Leger-Walker who after transferring from Washington State last year didn’t play because of an ACL tear, Pauley Pavilion’s new talent will surely turn heads. If the team can figure out how to restore the chemistry disrupted by roster turnover, UCLA might prove early critics of its portal approach wrong.

Beach volleyball
Grant Walters, Assistant Sports editor

Best case: National champions

Last season marked the first time that a program other than UCLA or USC captured the NCAA beach volleyball championship since the sport’s collegiate inception 10 years ago. The Bruins have established themselves as perennial title contenders, reaching the championship in three of the last five seasons. Despite the team’s postseason success, UCLA has failed to get over the hump, losing to USC in all three affairs.

Former Olympian and Bruin Jenny Johnson Jordan has yet to capture a title throughout her two-year coaching stint – falling to No. 4 seed Loyola Marymount in the 2025 NCAA semifinal, but she will head into her third season at the helm with another year of experience under her belt, which could help land UCLA its first title since 2019.

Worst case: Loss in semifinals

History often helps predict the future. UCLA has reached the NCAA tournament semifinal round every season since 2017, and they are destined to advance to that point yet again. But clearing the hurdle will represent the squad’s biggest challenge. The team will return their top pair in MPSF Freshman of the Year Sally Perez and MPSF Player of the Year Maggie Boyd. The premiere duo could help spearhead a championship bid for the Bruins. Yet, underdogs define sports, and if the Bruins emerge as tournament favorites again, the heightened expectations could force another postseason collapse that benefits an unexpected contender.

Storyline to watch: Last year’s freshman class development

Forrest Gump teaches us that life is like a box of chocolates. Similarly, with inexperienced teams, you never know what you’re going to get. But the Bruins’ 2025 freshman class rose to the occasion, especially with Sally Perez’s breakout season, boasting a 2025 AVCA Second Team All-American selection. Jordan will expect the Bruins’ incoming sophomore class to play an increased role, particularly since the squad is losing seven graduating players, which includes two 2025 AVCA Second Team All-American honorees in Peri Brennan and Natalie Myszkowski.

The addition of Arizona State transfer Ava Williamson will help address the roster holes – the Dripping Springs, Texas, local captured a team-most 23 wins last season and played all but one match on the top two courts. However, Perez along with sophomores Alexa Fernandez and Adelina Okazaki will need to improve upon their first-year campaigns to uphold UCLA’s competitive edge.

Cross country
Jacob Nguyen, Assistant Sports editor

Best case: NCAA championship appearance

While such a prediction may be optimistic, there’s something to be said about Joanna Hayes returning for her second season at the helm. In her inaugural season as director, Hayes led the women’s team to 12th-place finishes at the West Regionals and the Big Ten championship. During the latter, three runners set PRs in the 6K, including sophomore Olivia Foody and junior Ailish Hawkins. Although both men who qualified for the West Regionals graduated, five of the seven women are set to return. As such, UCLA’s cross country program may be set for notable improvement, as the runners and coaching staff continue to develop.

Worst case: Neither team places at regionals

Although the women’s team placed at every meet last season, the men’s team only did so twice – never having more than five individual placements. And while the women’s squad saw seven runners place, none were in the top 40 and three were below the 100 mark. The last women’s All-American was in 2019 and the most recent men’s was three years prior. The Bruins’ history isn’t necessarily favorable. And with the notable amount of talent that graduated this summer, it will take a hefty amount of work to maintain a capable level of competition. Or even worse: to avoid regression.

Storyline to Watch: Replenishing the loss of star graduates

Despite the challenges that cross-country faced in its Big Ten debut, several notable names led the pack. On the women’s side, Mia Kane was the top Bruin in both the Big Ten championship and the NCAA West Regional. For the men, Michael Mireles finished a First Team All-Big Ten campaign, during which he set back-to-back PRs in the 8K. The second time he did so was when he placed second in the Big Ten championship. But both Kane and Mireles graduated. And for a UCLA squad looking to carve out a spotlight in a new conference, making up for such large losses will be key to success in the future.

Football
Connor Dullinger, Sports editor

Best case: 8-4, Bowl victory

There is no position more heralded, protected and prized than football’s quarterback. And the position’s fame and fortune is well deserved. Signal callers have captured the last 12 NFL Most Valuable Player awards and seven of the last 10 Heisman trophies. A quarterback’s play determines a football program’s success. And come this season, the Bruins may have their most skilled quarterback since they picked up soon-to-be first round draft pick Josh Rosen in 2015.

Junior quarterback Nico Iamaleava is the highest ranked recruit to ever come to UCLA, slotting in as the second-best prospect in the 2023 class behind future top-10 draft pick Arch Manning. Coupling the 6-foot-6 Iamaleava with new assistant coach and offensive coordinator Tino Sunseri, the Bruins may have a top-five passing offense in the Big Ten next season. While quarterback is just one player on the field, Iamaleava could transform a Bruin squad that went 5-7 last season with abysmal quarterback play, a first-year head coach and one of the toughest schedules in the country. Although UCLA’s 2025 slate still is one of the most difficult in the nation, coach DeShaun Foster and his staff officially have a year of experience under their belts, a prized quarterback and a more well-rounded team that could be a dark horse in a conference full of titans.

Worst case: 6-6, Bowl defeat

The Big Ten is no walk-in the park. Add in contests against conference juggernauts Penn State and Ohio State, and you’re already fighting an uphill battle. Apart from a difficult slate, the Bruins are losing key defensive players in linebacker trio Carson Schwesinger, Oluwafemi Oladejo and Kain Medrano along with defensive lineman Jay Toia. The Bruins will have to rely on younger players to step up or bank on finding a diamond in the rough during fall training camp to address the front seven’s holes.

The Big Ten is a conference made for staunch and dynamic defenses that create havoc and turnovers, and the Bruins are losing almost all of that production from last season. And even with the guys it lost, UCLA ranked outside the conference’s top eight teams in forced fumbles, sacks and interceptions. While the Bruins offense could see a massive upward shift, their defense could rank in the cellar, surrendering splash plays and sinking the entire team down with it.

Storyline to watch: Nico Iamaleava’s offensive weapons

Just as a car is nothing without its tires, a quarterback can’t move without its weapons. Two years ago, running back T.J. Harden along with wide receivers Logan Loya and J.Michael Sturdivant looked like the future trifecta that would take the Big Ten by storm. Fast-forward to today and all three players no longer don blue and gold.

In their absence, the Bruins may have assembled their new big three. At tailback, UCLA brought in Jaivian Thomas from California – who logged 6.3 yards per carry while also reaching paydirt seven times last season. At wideout, the Bruins have Kwazi Gilmer – who showed flashes of speed and elite pass-catching as a freshman last season – and Titus Mokiao-Atimalala, who logged 294 receiving yards last season. The receiver room is slimmer than last year despite a better field general joining the ranks, which could allow for more catching opportunities. And if Iamaleava’s weapons don’t rise to the occasion, then the Bruins have a bigger problem on their hands.

Men’s golf
Barnett Salle-Widelock, senior staff

Best case: NCAA championships match play

In his first three years as head coach, Armen Kirakossian has seen successive seasons of concrete improvement from his team, resulting in UCLA’s first appearance at nationals since 2018 last spring. Although nationals didn’t pan out exactly as the Bruins might have hoped – the 20th place finish was their worst of the year – they looked strong for most of the season, placing top three in seven events and winning three, including the Big Ten Championship. Heading into next year, Kirakossian will be piloting a ship entirely crewed by golfers he recruited and developed. If the Bruins reach the NCAA championships again, their newfound familiarity with the course could give them the extra lift to mark a fourth straight season of better results.

Worst case: NCAA Regionals loss

While Kirakossian has undoubtedly been a factor in the Bruins recent success, two key pieces he relied on last year have graduated to the professional level. Omar Morales and Pablo Ereño, who came ninth and tenth in PGA TOUR University rankings, respectively, were leading scorers for the Bruins throughout the 2024-25 season, and their departure for the Korn Ferry Tour will leave a hole in the lineup. However, the rest of the roster appears solid, with senior Kyle An likely to be UCLA’s top contributor after his Second Team All-Big Ten selection last season. Uncertainty still remains around who will eventually settle into the regular five-man lineup, but the combination of several reliable scorers and Kirakossian’s solid coaching record indicates the Bruins will at least make the push into the postseason.

Storyline to watch: Event scheduling

UCLA faced a very travel-heavy schedule last year, appearing in five events on the East Coast and sometimes journeying over a thousand miles more than the next-farthest team. Kirakossian said he chose to bring the Bruins to distant events to mirror the conditions faced by professional golfers, with the intent of providing the team practice for the challenges they hoped to face after graduation. Despite the threats of jetlag, fatigue and unfamiliar courses, UCLA was at least top three in all of its East Coast events. Next year’s schedule, which is yet to be released, could bring the Bruins back to what unexpectedly was their strongest territory, and it will be interesting to watch how Kirakossian shapes the future of the team and its golfers through the events he chooses.

Women’s golf
Barnett Salle-Widelock, senior staff

Best case: NCAA Championships appearance

Last year’s women’s golf squad had a rocky season, marked by several bottom-of-the-barrel finishes following the departures of the team’s two biggest contributors. However, pivotal wins pushed UCLA to 65-64-1, allowing it to scrape through to regionals by barely surpassing the required .500 mark. While managing to make it past the Charlottesville Regional, the Bruins eventually fell to 12th at nationals. Nothing from the offseason has indicated UCLA will bring more fire than it did last year, but the sport’s volatility opens the door to a return to the NCAA championship.

Worst case: Missing postseason

Less than five strokes separated a season-ending loss at the Big Ten Championships and a regionals berth last season. While UCLA capitalized on its opportunity and made nationals, a tie with Michigan – who ended three strokes behind UCLA – would have stopped the season then and there. Given how close the Bruins came to failure along with sophomore and leading scorer Francesca Fiorellini’s transfer portal departure, they could encounter a fate they haven’t experienced in over 30 years – missing the NCAA postseason.

Storyline to watch: Incoming freshmen

Having lost Fiorellini to the portal along with four seniors, the 2025-26 UCLA roster will look significantly different than last year’s team. The squad is notably young, with six underclassmen filling the eight roster spots. Part of that youth is the freshman trio of Kacey Ly, Zoe Sprecher and GaEun Athena Yoo, who each boast the potential to blossom into a star. While none of the three had pre-college resumes on the level of Fiorellini, coach Alicia Um Holmes could mold them into another generation of UCLA standouts. At the very least, Bruin fans can expect to see some new names spotted across college leaderboards this coming year.

Gymnastics
Finn Karish, Daily Bruin contributor

Best case: NCAA championship

The Bruins are poised to build upon last season’s success after they fell just short of the NCAA title in April. The 2025 runner-ups return for 2026 with a familiar face – fourth-year Jordan Chiles – leading the squad. Sophomores Macy McGowan, Mika Webster-Longin and Riley Jenkins will accompany Chiles. Each now has a year under their belt and, most importantly, boast experience on collegiate gymnastic’s biggest postseason stage. Additionally, the incoming freshmen will provide depth, with a new recruiting class that includes 2024 Olympic alternate Tiana Sumanasekera and three-time U.S. National Team member Nola Matthews. Despite the loss of the Core Four and other standout graduate students, this UCLA team has what it takes to compete for a national title.

Worst case: Top-tier finish in Big Ten

UCLA bounced back after a rough first meet last year, owing much of their success to a nation-leading floor rotation. However, key Bruins like Brooklyn Moors, Chae Campbell and Emma Malabuyo have since graduated, leaving pressure on other athletes to keep the floor parties going. Furthermore, last year’s team emphasized their strong bonds outside of the gym, with the Core Four spearheading the development of a strong culture. Without new leaders to help integrate the recruits and maintain team cohesion, the Bruins could struggle with consistency. UCLA’s strongest Big Ten rival is Michigan State, which claimed the conference title in 2024, and the squad will likely face longtime rival Utah along with SEC powerhouses in the postseason.

Storyline to watch: Stellar recruits

UCLA gymnastics welcomes six new gymnasts for the 2026 season. This includes four five-star recruits, according to College Gym News – a feat only matched by LSU. The most recent commit, Ashlee Sullivan, is a three-time U.S. National Team member and will join fellow five-stars Sumanasekera, Matthews and Jordis Eichman at the 2025 U.S. Championships in August. If these gymnasts can hit the ground running, it could propel the Bruins towards another postseason run.

Rowing
Gabriela Garcia, Assistant Sports editor

Best case: Top 10 in the Big Ten championships

UCLA rowing was ranked No. 25 in the country by Pocock CRCA Poll heading into the conference championships in its Big Ten debut. The Bruins secured victories in the 3V8+ and 2V4+ petite finals, good for a ninth-place conference finish. Although the team did not advance to the NCAA championships, it improved from its second-to-last placement in the Pac-12 tournament the previous year. Still, the 2024-25 season brought challenges, with the team receiving an interim head coach in the fall and the LA fires impacting the Bruins’ campaign. But they prevailed. If the team can continue to build, a higher finish is in its future.

Worst case: Falling to last place in conference

Although the Bruins improved in placement, they finished just one spot higher than the previous year. UCLA avoided a second-to-last place ranking by only six points, and 19 points separated UCLA from the very bottom of the conference cellar. The Big Ten is competitive and has seven of the 11 teams ranked in Pocock CRCA Poll Top 25 heading into the tournament. It is clear that the squad’s competition won’t get any easier, so the Bruins will need to improve, or another last-place finish could lay ahead.

Storyline to watch: Under new leadership

Vanessa Tavalero was hired to helm UCLA rowing earlier this summer following the departure of previous coach Previn Chandraratna. Tavalero brings championship-level experience as both an athlete and a coach. During her time on the Washington women’s rowing team, Tavalero helped the Huskies achieve back-to-back NCAA Championships in 1997 and 1998. She was a part of California’s rowing coaching staff prior to taking the head coaching job at UCLA. Tavalero might just be what the Bruins need to make a statement in the Big Ten next season.

Men’s soccer
Felicia Keller, Daily Bruin senior staff

Best case: Winning the Big Ten

Can UCLA men’s soccer settle into the Big Ten? Its first season was a rocky start filled with big trips out East and disappointing results in close games.

But the Big Ten still sits prime for the taking if the Bruins can improve their play.

A season with heightened mental fortitude in key moments could put the Bruins at the top of the Big Ten, setting them up nicely to make a deeper run in NCAA tournament play.

Worst case: 10th in the Big Ten, no NCAA tournament

The Bruins didn’t quite match expectations in the Big Ten last season, finishing sixth in the regular season standings.

And then UCLA lost in the semifinals of the Big Ten tournament in shootout fashion, and a first-round loss to UC Santa Barbara in the NCAA tournament followed.

Those woes could certainly follow them to this season, keeping them from postseason glory.

This team has plenty of room to improve from its last campaign, and it’s difficult to get much worse in the Big Ten without completely falling apart.

So 10th in the conference is likely the lowest they could possibly go – and if they land anywhere below seventh, a NCAA tournament spot is nearly impossible.

Storyline to watch: Big roster changes

The Bruins announced a formidable incoming transfer class to supplement a freshman class that is ranked No. 1 nationally by TopDrawerSoccer.

UCLA has players joining its roster from NCAA tournament teams in Oregon State and Washington, as well as other Division I schools.

But on the flip side, the Bruins lost seven members of their starting lineup last season to graduation, and they lost a few of their own to the transfer portal.

There’s big shoes to fill, particularly on defense, where four players departed the roster.

Now it’s up to coach Ryan Jorden and his staff to make all the new pieces fit together.

Women’s soccer
Ella Dunderdale, Assistant Sports Editor

Best case: National Champions

UCLA women’s soccer won it all only three seasons ago. And with coach Margueritte Aozasa still at the helm, another title is within reach. Even with the loss of several key players, the Bruins maintain a formidable defensive pair in sophomore defenders Paloma Daubert and Nicki Fraser. Furthermore, the squad snagged defender Meila Brewer – the No. 6 recruit in the 2025 Class – who is joining the squad after just completing her sophomore year of high school. The Bruins also welcome back Bridgette Marin-Valencia, the senior forward who shared the squad’s leading scorer title with former Bruin midfielder Sofia Cook last season. Other offensive additions include transfer Oruha Hayashi, an incoming junior from Iowa Western Community College who logged a team-high 44 goals and 38 assists throughout 38 appearances in her two-year stint. With a blend of new talent and returning stalwarts, the Bruins have the roster to make a strong showing next season.

Worst case: Mid-tier Big Ten performance

The Bruins lost some top-tier talent in the offseason that will be difficult to replace. This includes Lilly Reale, who was considered one of the best defenders in collegiate soccer last season. The squad also graduated several premiere scorers, including Cook and forward Quincy McMahon. UCLA will have many roster holes to address, and if they fail to find their groove early in the season, they could quickly lose conference ground. Last season, the squad barely edged out Iowa and Michigan State to finish second in the regular season standings. A few ill-timed losses could cause the Bruins to fall further in the competitive Big Ten ranks, putting their 2025 championship hopes behind them.

Storyline to watch: Recovery from significant roster turnover

UCLA lost nine of its top players to the pros this past offseason, leaving Aozasa’s returning squad to pick up the pieces while filling key holes. However, with the pack of high-achieving upperclassmen out of the picture, members of the 2024 No. 2 national recruiting class could finally have the opportunity to fully tap into their potential. Forwards Bella Winn and Sammy Sanchez will return to the turf after sustaining injuries that prematurely ended their freshmen seasons. They are joined by incoming sophomores midfielder Avery Robinson and forward Kara Croone, both of whom are poised to occupy large roles next season. Furthermore, with the graduation of top goalkeeper Ryan Campbell – who led the nation with 16 shutouts last season – sophomores Mariangela Medina and Layla Armas, both still awaiting their collegiate debuts, have big shoes to fill.

Softball
Felicia Keller, Daily Bruin senior staff

Best case: Women’s College World Series appearance, Big Ten winners

Following a bottom-of-the-seventh comeback in an NCAA super regional elimination game, UCLA softball headed to the Women’s College World Series for the second year in a row. As storied a program as UCLA is – and barring any crazy circumstances – the expectation for the Bruins is always to reach Oklahoma City at the end of the season. With the “Bruin Bombers” – infielder Jordan Woolery and utility Megan Grant – entering their senior seasons, UCLA is likely to boast the firepower needed to make it back to OKC, and maybe even capture a Big Ten tournament or regular season title as well.

Worst case: Sixth in the Big Ten

Sixth may not seem particularly low in the crowded 17-team Big Ten pool. But UCLA’s worst day is still, often, better than the majority of the conference’s softball teams. Excluding the shortened Covid-19 season, the Bruins would likely have to record fewer wins than the program’s century-low mark to place below eighth in the Big Ten. So while anything is possible, the Bruins should secure a top spot in the Big Ten tournament no matter what.

Storyline to watch: The pitching staff

Two months ago the Bruins boasted a dominant and experienced pitching staff envied by the rest of the NCAA. But oh, how quickly, the transfer portal can tear a hole through anyone’s plans. In the span of a week, UCLA softball lost junior pitcher/outfielder Kaitlyn Terry and sophomore pitcher/utility Addisen Fisher to Texas Tech and Georgia, respectively. So now, success largely rests on the shoulders of senior pitcher Taylor Tinsley. All eyes will be on her to see if she can carry the mantle for the Bruins, alongside transfer portal additions.

Swim and dive
Jacob Nguyen, Assistant Sports editor

Best case: Top-five finish at Big Ten championship

Considering the gauntlet that is Big Ten competition, some may say that a seventh-place finish was an overachievement for UCLA swim and dive last season. After entering with a 3-5 record and a No. 23 national ranking, the Bruins mustered 10 top-8 finishes and 23 top-16 finishes in the Big Ten championship. One of the standouts of the meet was senior Eden Cheng, who was fourth in the platform. Combine that with the return of two All-Big Ten Freshmen selections in Karolina Piechowicz and Claudia Yovanovich, and there’s a strong core of budding potential for this squad despite a hefty load of recent graduates.

Worst case: Stagnancy, or even regression

Despite the bundle of returning talent, one’s pessimism may be justified when looking at historical precedent. The Bruins have failed to achieve a positive record since 2021. And although they won two of their invitationals last season, the victories were against relatively weak opponents. That’s why a 37th-place finish at the NCAA championship – mustering only seven total points – was not necessarily shocking. The Big Ten is notorious strong, and the flurry of other teams that rank higher than UCLA means there’s a wide chasm to cross if this program wants to keep growing.

Storyline to watch: Coaching reinforcements

Former Ohio State assistant coach Graham Carpenter, who was announced as UCLA’s new assistant coach in June, looks to bring a reservoir of expertise to Westwood. Before Ohio State, he coached at John Carroll University and Anderson University. Carpenter most recently contributed to a 14th- and 16th-place finish for Ohio State’s women’s and men’s programs, respectively, at the NCAA championships. His leadership also helped guide Ohio State to the 2025 Big Ten title, its fifth in the last six years, while producing a pair of Big Ten Freshmen of the Year winners. The looming narrative for all of UCLA athletics last year was how it would fare in a new conference. Bringing in a coach from one of its conference rivals may be a catalyst for substantial UCLA improvement.

Men’s tennis
Badri Viswanathan, Daily Bruin contributor

Best case: NCAA championship win

In 2005, coach Billy Martin hoisted the national championship trophy – the squad’s first NCAA title in 21 years. It has now been 21 years since that feat, and the Bruins seem poised to repeat history. This past season was momentous, with UCLA closing the season 17-3, claiming its first-ever Big Ten title and earning an NCAA tournament quarterfinal berth. UCLA especially displayed success in the postseason, defeating teams that had boasted strong records during the regular season, but fell just three wins short of capturing a national title.

And there is no reason to think the Bruins won’t build on their success. They have five returning starters, each of whom earned individual and team accolades. This past season, then-freshman Rudy Quan stepped into the leading role in the singles lineup, achieving the Big Ten Freshman of the Year honor. Then-redshirt sophomore Emon van Loben Sels had a breakout season, winning the Big Ten Tournament Most Outstanding Player of the Year award. The Bruins’ 2025 season ended at the hands of the same team that eliminated them in 2024 – Texas. This may be the year that they overcome the Longhorns and other powerhouse teams to hoist another NCAA title.

Worst case: Big Ten first round, NCAA tournament second round exits

As the adage goes, winning causes a hunter to become the hunted. And after winning the Big Ten championship in their inaugural conference season, UCLA has now become the “hunted.” UCLA’s novel strategies may have taken the Big Ten by storm this past season. But in year two, opponents will be more accustomed to the Bruins’ style of play. This past season, UCLA used Big Ten play to turn its season around, going 11-2 in conference after its four-game nonconference losing streak early in the 2025 campaign. If the Bruins falter in Big Ten play, they may fail to establish the continuity that helped them build momentum en route to the national quarterfinals. A sophomore slump could impact the Bruins’ 2026 success, causing them to lose traction in the Big Ten and on the national stage.

Storyline to watch: A two-Bruin race for Big Ten National Player of the Year

Two years. Two conferences. Two freshmen of the year. Back in 2023-24, Spencer Johnson went 23-7 across his singles matches, winning Pac-12 Freshman of the Year. Quan repeated the feat in 2024-25, recording a 13-8 singles record and winning Big Ten Freshman of the Year. This season, Quan stepped into the singles lineup’s lead role and held the slot for the majority of the season after Johnson sustained an elbow injury early in the season. Johnson returned after an extensive absence and helped clinch a super-regional berth for the Bruins. The two Bruins will likely lead UCLA’s singles squad, while challenging the conference’s most talented singles players. Johnson enters this season fresh off his first ITF pro singles final appearance this summer. Quan recently won his first ATP match against world No. 135-ranked Federico Agustin Gomez in the Indian Wells Open. These achievements may hint at what is to come for the duo – a contentious two-man race for Big Ten Player of the Year.

Women’s tennis
Willa Campion, Assistant Sports editor

Best case: NCAA tournament semifinal appearance

Six. That’s how many teams have won more than one national championship in the history of women’s collegiate tennis. The Bruins just clear the bar for entry into this elite club with two national titles – both of which came under coach Stella Sampras Webster, who is entering her 30th year at the helm of the women’s tennis team. Although Sampras Webster’s squads have exited the NCAA tournament in the second and third round recently, the talent of their underclassmen could break the Bruins’ into the quarter- and semi-finals. UCLA’s 2025 signing class, which consists of Tokyo, Japan, raised Mayu Crossley and Blue Chip recruit Kayla Chung, ranks No. 5 nationally according to Tennis Recruiting. The incoming freshmen have big shoes to fill – sophomores Olivia Center and Kate Fakih earned All-American accolades and a NCAA doubles championship runner-up honor in their first collegiate seasons. Center and Fakih, who gained international experience over the summer while competing as a doubles tandem for Team USA at the FISU World University Summer Games will be integral parts of the push to make the Bruins’ national contenders.

Worst case: NCAA tournament first round exit

Last season’s low point occurred March 1, when UCLA lost 4-3 to San Diego State. The Aztecs, who didn’t even appear in the ITA rankings at the time, should not have represented a challenging opponent for the Bruins. And yet, UCLA suffered three-straight singles losses to continue its downward descent in the national standings. The loss represented a greater struggle the team battled – singles depth. Although the Bruins’ boasted two of the country’s top tandems in Center and Fakih and then-seniors Kimmi Hance and Elise Wagle, securing the doubles point was not enough to carry the team. With the departure of graduates Hance and Wagle, who frequented courts 2 and 3, UCLA’s singles inconsistency and depth remains unresolved and potentially heightened. Until the Bruins can build a solid singles rotation, they remain liable to upset losses.

Storyline to watch: Anne-Christine Lutkemeyer

UCLA’s only incoming senior Anne-Christine Lutkemeyer is already used to taking center stage. Court 1 is where she found herself for most of last season, and she seemed to thrive there. Lutkemeyer reached a career high No. 16 in the ITA rankings and managed to knock off multiple top-ranked players, including Wisconsin’s then-No. 5 Maria Sholokhova. The ITA Southwest Regional Player to Watch seems to be an anchor on a singles squad that lacks consistency. But her prowess extends to doubles play too. Lutkemeyer recently traveled to China to reunite with fellow Bruin Tian Fangran, who took last season off to compete on the professional circuit after winning the 2023 NCAA singles championship her freshman year. The tandem won the Lu’an 15k doubles title during their first professional appearance. Lutkemeyer’s experience is valuable for the young Bruin squad and the First Team All-Big Ten selection will likely draw attention on center court once again.

Track and field
Grant Walters, Assistant Sports editor

Best case: Women’s first-place finish in Big Ten and men’s top-five Big Ten finish

Change fosters growth, but there are inevitable challenges throughout the process. In UCLA’s inaugural Big Ten season, the women’s team carried over its Pac-12 status into its new conference – capturing its second-straight third-place finish in the conference championships. But the men’s team faltered, falling from fifth-place at the Pac-12 championships in 2024 to 11th-place at the Big Ten championships last season. Still, the Bruins boasted a combined 19 individual conference scorers and three relay scorers at the conference championships. The success that track and field director and former Bruin Joanna Hayes achieved in her debut season may spur continued improvement heading into the next campaign, spearheading higher team placements as she continues to refine the program.

Worst case: Regression and stagnancy

Collegiate roster turnover can impede a program’s progress. And departures hit UCLA track and field hard at the conclusion of the 2025 season. Six of the Bruins 13 All-American selections graduated, particularly impacting the squad’s throwing, pole vault, hurdles and multis units. Assistant coach and pole vault specialist Tate Curran is set to lose his pair of vaulters that garnered national attention, with graduate students Ka’Leila Abrille and Katerina Adamiec leaving. The women’s team is also losing First Team All-American javelin thrower Jana Van Schalkwyk and Second Team All-American hurdler Yanla Ndjip-Nyemeck – who each secured the runner-up spots in their respective events at the conference championships. The men’s squad isn’t losing any of their national-championship competitors, with thrower Michael Pinckney, hurdler Tamaal Myers and sprinter Gabriel Clement II all set to return. Yet, Hayes will need other male athletes to complement the trio’s prowess in order to compete in the Big Ten.

Storyline to watch: Relay madness

Relays can help cement a competitive program. Although many athletes focus on track and field’s individual accolades, the baton defines brother and sisterhood. And the Bruins boast quality relay teams heading into next season. The women’s 4×100-meter relay – a group that placed 12th at the NCAA championships – is returning all but one member. The same is true for the team’s 4×400-meter relay squad, which captured seventh place at the championship meet, enough for a quartet of First Team All-American honors. Despite falling short of qualifying for the championship meet, the men’s 4×400-meter squad placed sixth at the Big Ten championships. Clement II, who achieved First Team All-American honors in the 400-meter dash, along with seniors Tamaal Myers and Zaire Waring represent the squad’s three returnees. Relays can make or break a team’s championship chances, and the Bruins may have the foundation to develop a winning culture, one that lives and dies by the baton.

Men’s volleyball
Jacob Nguyen, Assistant Sports editor

Best case: NCAA champions

UCLA men’s volleyball fell one game short of claiming a “three-peat” national title in John Hawks’ first season at the helm. Despite appearing in both the 2024 and 2025 national championship matches, UCLA was unable to capture the MPSF title in either campaign. But that’s the kind of resilience that defines this team. This season, the Bruins return a coach with a year of experience under his belt, and they also retain five of their six top players in sets played. Among those five are seniors setter Andrew Rowan and middle blocker Cam Thorne, both of whom were AVCA All-Americans last season. Rowan orchestrated the nation’s third-most-efficient offense at a .367 hitting clip, while Thorne was the MPSF’s blocks-per-set runner-up. Together, they oversee a formidable two-way force. Pair that with Long Beach setter Moni Nikolov – the 2025 AVCA Player of the Year and leader of the squad that defeated UCLA in the 2025 title contest – turning professional, who’s to say there’s anyone in UCLA’s path to championship glory?

Worst case: NCAA quarterfinal exit

I’ve compared volleyball and basketball before. In the former, each set feels like a game in and of itself, and you could theoretically lose a game despite scoring more combined points. The Bruins dropped 35 total sets last year, but they only lost seven by more than five-points. UCLA may not lose games often, but when they do, it’s because volleyball’s room for error is exceptionally slim, something which was the case for a Westwood squad whose errors revealed their Achilles’ heel.

While only four Bruins posted 40-plus hitting errors, seven players surpassed that mark at the service line, with two even climbing into the triple digits – Rowan and graduate Cooper Robinson posted 104 and 128, respectively. It’s not a secret that UCLA serves aggressively, as the team ranked fourth in the nation in aces per set in 2025. However, this intensity has also triggered setbacks. The Bruins committed over 25 service errors in three of their losses last season, including 28 in their five-set MPSF tournament loss to Pepperdine. UCLA has the talent to win it all, but don’t be surprised if the minute details lead to its shortcoming yet again.

Storyline to watch: A Cooper Robinson-sized hole

Cooper Robinson is many things. The Bruins’ leading scorer the past two years. A two-time national champion. And most recently, Team USA’s kills leader in the 2025 FIVB VNL Tournament. But he also graduated and is set to play professionally in Japan. His synergy with Rowan helped spark the Bruins’ last two NCAA championship runs, and how they adapt to losing their greatest weapon may be the biggest hurdle for coach John Hawks entering the 2026 campaign. Nonetheless, faith is abundant.

Senior Zach Rama and sophomore Sean Kelly – UCLA’s second- and fourth-leading scorers, respectively – are both set to return. Additionally, a new generation of Bruins could showcase their pin-hitting, such as high school National Player of the Year Grayson Bradford, who committed to UCLA in March. The Bruins adapted to the loss of outside hitter Ethan Champlin in 2024. And they’ll have to do it again to address Robinson’s departure.

Women’s volleyball
Gabriela Garcia, Assistant Sports editor

Best case: NCAA postseason berth

The Bruins have not reached the NCAA postseason under head coach Alfee Reft, who is entering his third year at the helm of the women’s volleyball squad. After a mid-tier 2024 season, where the team posted an 8-12 conference record, the pressure to receive an at-large bid has only increased, which may lay on the horizon. The 2025 Big Ten Women’s Volleyball Preseason Poll picked UCLA to finish 5th in the conference, a much higher placement than 2024. After losing middle blocker Anna Dodson and setter Audrey Pak to graduation, the team seemed ripe for another season at the bottom of the Big Ten standings, but with five incoming transfers and a fresh batch of freshman, that might not be the case. If the Bruins are able to mesh together, they very well could hear their name called during the NCAA tournament selection show. After all, third time’s the charm.

Worst case: Missing the postseason for the fourth year

It seems that after a regional loss to eventual national champion Wisconsin in 2021, UCLA hasn’t fully recovered its footing. In the past three seasons, the squad has gone 48-40. Accumulating just 221 blocks – the least in the Big Ten – indicates the Bruins’ weak defense. And the squad’s 126 serve receive errors across last year’s campaign shows that the team has a lot to work on when it comes to mitigating unforced errors. Unless UCLA can improve on defense and from the service line, it won’t have the chance to even qualify for the postseason.

Storyline to watch: The impact of incoming transfers

The loss of key players Dodson and Pak turned Reft to the transfer portal in search of reinforcements all over the court. The five incoming transfers hail from across the nation, and incoming graduate student middle blocker Phekran Kong notably brings national championship experience. The Louisville transfer competed in the national championship last December and has played in the Final Four in two of her last three seasons. Former Wisconsin libero transfer Lola Schumacher also brings postseason experience from the back row, the incoming sophomore appeared in all four of the Badger’s NCAA tournament matches last season. Texas transfer Marianna Singletary adds another option for Reft in the middle, and the incoming redshirt-junior brings her own postseason experience, playing in every match of the Longhorns 2024 NCAA tournament run. The Bruins’ other additions include incoming graduate student setter Zayna Meyer and junior outside hitter Maggie Li, who transferred from Long Beach State and California, respectively. The addition of these transfers and the experience that they bring could be the missing puzzle piece Reft and the Bruins’ need to make a postseason run come December.

Men’s water polo
Jacob Nguyen, Assistant Sports editor

Best case: NCAA champions

Considering that this squad just won it all in 2024, a repeat of last season is by definition the best case scenario. But it also isn’t far-fetched to expect. Four of UCLA’s top six scorers just finished either their freshman or sophomore year campaigns, including its scoring leader in attacker Ryder Dodd. UCLA outscored its opponents by almost 200 points last year, and both of its losses came by only two-point margins. Yet, somehow, the Bruins can continue to improve. Dodd and three other Bruins – sophomore utilities Peter Castillo and Bode Brinkema along with junior utility Ben Liechty – all captured the silver medal in the World Aquatics U20 Championships this summer, gaining valuable international experience to further develop their games. With a stable offensive core and a wealth of experience under six-time national championship coach Adam Wright, the Bruins boast a recipe for success that they should rightfully be expected to replicate.

Worst case: NCAA semifinal exit

While their offensive power should spearhead a rerun at the national championship, the other side of the pool may represent the Bruins’ biggest weakness. Recent graduate Garret Griggs fortified UCLA’s defense over the last two seasons. The 2023 Second Team All-American goalie was the anchor to a squad that allowed double-digit scores in just nine games, posting a .491 save percentage. His graduation will put pressure on redshirt sophomore Nate Tauscher – the only other Bruin goalie to start a game last season. Nonetheless, the Sunset Beach, California, local has shown glimpses of potential, recording a .545 save percentage across 18 appearances. The Bruins are strong favorites for the 2025 national championship, but a high octane offense can only carry you so far. They are no exceptions to the mantra that defense wins championships.

Storyline to watch: Ryder Dodd’s continued ascension

Not many people, if any, can claim a Men’s Water Polo Player of the Year honor, an Olympic bronze medal and a Junior National Team MVP selection as a teenager. Ryder Dodd can. It’s hard to imagine that there’s much room to improve for a player who outscored his team’s second-leading scorer by over 60 goals. But the Long Beach, California, local averaged over 3.5 goals per game on a. 551 shooting clip. Dodd’s résumé parallels athletes who have years of experience over him. And yet, he’s only entering his second collegiate season. As long as he’s guiding the Bruin ship, the sky is the limit for him and his squad.

Women’s water polo
Felicia Keller, Daily Bruin senior staff

Best case: MPSF champions

UCLA women’s water polo had a tiny graduating class last season, losing just three players. With more time to develop, its sophomore and junior stars have the chance to shine. If they can outperform Stanford, California and USC, they would have a national championship in the bag. But it’s difficult to win both the MPSF and NCAA championships back-to-back, so a MPSF championship may represent proper expectations for the Bruins next season.

Worst case: Fourth in MPSF

The programs at the top of the NCAA women’s water polo rankings always separate themselves from the rest of the pack. UCLA, Stanford and USC have long excelled above the rest of the schools in the sport. So don’t expect UCLA to fall far below the top four, but fourth is always a possibility with the competitiveness right at the top.

Storyline to watch: Can they mesh back together

It’s no secret that the Bruins lost some of the cohesion from their 2024 national championship-winning season in 2025. But they didn’t lose a ton of talent from that team – in fact they added new names into the fold. The team just never seemed to fully click, falling in record fashion twice at the Barbara Kalbus Invitational early in the season, and failing to boast strong performances at the MPSF and NCAA tournaments. Will the team be able to regain what they had two years ago and play like a cohesive unit all the way through its lineup again?