California junior Emma Donley has been named to the first-ever AVCA Collegiate Beach Player of the Year watch list, the organization announced Monday.

Donley, who along with senior Portia Sherman became the first AVCA First Team All-Americans in Cal beach volleyball history last season, is one of 16 student-athletes from across the country named to the list. Donley was also an All-MPSF First Team pick last year.

Donley and Sherman broke the program's single-season pair wins record last season by going 28-7. Seventeen of those victories came against ranked opponents. The pair was also named a Top Flight by the AVCA.

The Golden Bears, who advanced to the NCAA Championship for the third straight season last year and finished the year ranked No. 9 in the country, open the 2026 season this week at the Outrigger DUKE Kahanamoku Beach Classic in Honolulu.

 
STAY POSTED
For further coverage of Cal beach volleyball, follow the Bears on Instagram (@calbeachvb) and X (@calbeachvb).