The 2026 version of UC Irvine men's volleyball team might look different than people have been used to over the past four years, but an exciting young team is ready to take the court.
"The brand of UC Irvine volleyball last year was exciting and intriguing because of individual stories," head coach
David Kniffin said. "What drew you to them last year were individual guys, but my hope is the 2026 campaign, what will draw people to the excitement will be a collective, very creative style of play that is faster and probably somewhere around the halfway point of the year, a very efficient defensive team. Our offense will track well early and our ability to block defense and counterattack in some creative ways will take hold about halfway through the season."
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GETTING STARTED
The Anteaters, who are ranked No. 6 nationally and were picked third in the Big West Coaches Preseason poll, will begin the year at the UC Santa Barbara Invitational Jan. 8-10. UCI will meet Harvard and first-time opponents Kentucky State and Maryville.
UCI will entertain Princeton in the home opener Jan. 14 at 6:00 p.m. at the Bren Events Center.
TALENTED TRIO RETURN
While UCI graduated four former All-Americans from the 2025 squad, the Anteaters return three starters:
William D'Arcy,
Micah Goss and
Shane Aitken who were all honorable mention All-Americans a year ago.
D'Arcy, a senior outside hitter, ranked 15th nationally in hitting percentage with a .375 mark, one of only five pin hitters to be ranked nationally in the top 15. He started in 17 matches and averaged 2.14 kills and 1.01 digs overall last season. He recorded double-digit kills five times, including a career-high 21 kills at UC Santa Barbara. In the 3-0 win on the road against No. 1 Long Beach State, he was a catalyst for the victory, hitting .692.
Goss, who was named to the 2025 All-Big West Freshman Team, ranked sixth in the Big West in blocks (0.96) and 16th in aces (0.28). The middle blocker started every match in 2025, averaging 1.42 kills. He recorded three or more blocks in 16 matches, including a career-high nine versus BYU.
Aitken ranked seventh in the Big West in digs with a 1.48 average. The libero shined in serve reception as a freshman with a .928 mark. The redshirt sophomore recorded a career-best 13 digs at UC Santa Barbara and was honored as Big West Defensive Player of the Week on Apr. 14 for his performance a year ago.
"The thing that makes Shane good is the same thing that made a lot of our liberos good over the years - a passion for the mundane pursuit of the craft. He loves going in and getting reps and making it fun. It's a necessity in the rite of passage to be a great libero at UC Irvine to embrace that mindset and he definitely has that", Kniffin said.
"You will see Goss make some big jumps this year in terms of the way he plays the game from an intelligence standpoint, but his physicality and efficiency attacking will be similar," Kniffin continued. "D'Arcy has steadily improved every year he has been here. There is something cool about the steady progression. He just gets better every year."
"All three come in proven in their respective leagues." Kniffin said. "Andrej probably comes in as the most decorated freshman that we've ever had in the program and Brinck is right there with him. They are proven to know how to win on the international stage."
"Clark was a go-to guy at his last school and a leader in attempts. He has that mentality and knows how to be The Guy. He has a great mindset."
Jokanovic was the MVP of the U19 World Championship on a team that won a gold medal, while Brinck has won the European championship in beach volleyball two of the last three years.
Clark is a junior college transfer from San Diego Mesa College where he was named Southern Region Player of the Year, playing on back-to-back Southern Region - Pacific Conference title teams.
SETTER SITUATION
The last several years it was clear who would run the UC Irvine offense, but this season the roster touts four setters,
Aidan Rigg,
Aidan Schulten,
Cameron Kosty and
Micah Tumas who each bring something different to the court.
"This year there is clarity in the style we are going to play and an understanding that we will be much more system strong because there isn't a clear single setter that is obviously the starting setter. It's more about can we adopt a style of play until someone emerges. The thing I've loved most about the setters is they have been collectively helping each other improve."
Rigg saw action in 50 sets, coming off the bench in important moments last year, totaling 143 set assists and 22 digs. Schulten was used primarily as a serving specialist, recording four aces.
BIG WEST CHAMPIONSHIP AT THE BREN
The Hawaiian Islands presents the 2026 Outrigger Big West Men's Volleyball Championship will be held on Court 21 at the Bren Events Center.
The championship features all six Big West squads starting with the first round on April 23. The Day 1 winners advance to face the top two seeds on April 24 with the championship match on the 25th.
It is the second time that the Anteaters have played host for the championship.Â
"There is something so wonderful about a live sporting event. It is so easy to look at our phones and be entertained for 15 seconds, but to come and be part of struggle that lasts an hour and a half, where people are really dialed in. If you haven't been to an event in the Bren Events Center within the last year, you haven't been to an event at the Bren Events Center because it just keeps getting better. The video screen, in-game production and ability to interact with the players is top-notch," Kniffin said.
"It's our home court, but also Orange County's home court. It's a neutral, wonderful environment for volleyball. There are no bad seats in the house, the crowd is always engaged and Court 21 is super elegant. It is just a wonderful place to watch volleyball."
