BERKELEY – Four highly accomplished prospects have joined the Cal beach volleyball program, head coach Meagan Owusu announced Thursday.

Julia Anisimova (Shawnee, Kansas), Sarah Gyepes (Santa Monica), Sophie Hancock (Toronto, Ontario) and Bella Amey (Kailua, Hawai'i) have each signed to play for the Golden Bears, beginning with the 2027 season.

Anisimova was selected as an "Underclassman to Watch" by Volleyball Magazine in 2024 and is a USA Volleyball (USAV) Beach Junior national champion. She won a bronze medal at the AAU Junior National Championship and the Beach Volleyball Clubs of America (BVCA) Junior National Championship. Anisimova is also a member of the USAV Beach National Training Development Program.

"Julia is an exceptionally driven player with the maturity and skill set to contribute right away," Owusu said. "Her work ethic and consistency stand out."

Gyepes was picked among the Junior Volleyball Association's "Best In Beach" in 2025 and was also tabbed as an "Underclassman to Watch" by Volleyball Magazine. She placed second at the 2025 18U Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) Nationals and third at the Association of Volleyball Professionals (AVP) 18U Nationals.

"Sarah is a versatile and reliable athlete who consistently performs at a high level," Owusu said. "She will be an immediate asset to our team culture and competitiveness."

Hancock is a four-time Canadian national champion and three-time Ontario provincial champion, as well as an AVP East Coast national champion. She placed fifth at the U18 World Championships in 2025 and was fourth at the 2024 Canadian Senior Women's National Championships.

"Sophie brings strength, composure, and a high volleyball IQ," Owusu said. "She competes with confidence and strengthens our defensive core."

Amey helped Kamehameha Schools Kapalama win back-to-back Hawai'i High School Athletic Association (HHSAA) Division I Girls Hawai'I State Championships on the indoor level and was part of the school's initial beach volleyball season in 2024.

"Bella brings outstanding athleticism and a strong competitive foundation," Owusu said. "We're excited about the impact she will make in our program."

The class of new Golden Bears will enroll at Cal in the fall of 2026. The 2026 spring season begins in February.

"We are thrilled to welcome this talented group of athletes to our program," Owusu said. "Each of them brings a strong foundation, a competitive mindset, and the character we look for in future Bears."


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