Colorado State opens 2025 ranked second in the Mountain West preseason poll with 106 points and three first-place votes. Utah State leads with 114 and seven votes, while San Diego State sits third with 96 and two.
Coaches see strength in the program, though the roster is thin on proven starters. With only one key returner and no preseason honorees, Colorado State Rams (CSU) volleyball faces a demanding final season. Let’s discuss it in depth.
What the poll really says about CSU
The preseason poll placed CSU second despite the absence of Rams on the all-conference team. Voters rewarded the program’s history of system-driven wins, trusting depth and coaching more than individual talent.
The gap between the Rams and the rest of the league still exists. Utah State and San Diego State make up the leading trio, while Fresno State and Boise State remain serious challengers. UNLV and Wyoming can tilt the race on surprise weekends.
Grand Canyon is the wildcard. Slotted eighth, the Antelopes’ debut had little film to study. So, October and November matchups are prone to unexpected swings.
Schedule reality check (July 23 update): Where the season turns
The 2025 schedule comprises 18 league matches, played in a Thursday–Saturday cadence. CSU has single-play dates with Fresno State and San José State at home, and with San Diego State and UNLV on the road.
The key turning points include:
Sept 25 — at Wyoming: Border War opens conference play.
Sept 27 — vs Nevada: State Pride and 2024 title banner night.
Oct 4 — at Grand Canyon: First-ever MW meeting with GCU.
Oct 9 — vs Boise State; Nov 8 — at Boise State: A home-and-home that can swing seeding.
Oct 11 — vs Utah State; Nov 6 — at Utah State: Decisive series against the league favorite.
Oct 30 — vs Fresno State: Single-play featuring star Addison Haluska.
Nov 13 — at San Diego State; Nov 15 — at UNLV: Two tough road singles.
Nov 20 — vs Grand Canyon; Nov 22 — vs New Mexico: Closing stretch before the MW Championship in Las Vegas.
Grand Canyon joins Mountain West volleyball immediately, making CSU’s October and November matchups historic firsts. What’s more, coaches have no multi-year scouting baseline, so each rally demands sharper adjustments.
So, expect higher stakes for volleyball matches. Lining up those numbers against preseason tiers and matchup notes gives you another way to test how predictions hold up on the court.
What CSU must execute to make this a winning farewell
CSU is one of five Mountain West powers bound for the Pac-12 in July 2026. That makes 2025 a last lap in the league, the final chance to stamp its mark with both a regular-season crown and a tournament title before rivalries are rewritten.
Colorado State cannot rely on sheer talent. With only one starter back, the offense depends on steady first contact. Passing accuracy must survive long rallies in September’s Wyoming–Nevada–GCU stretch, or the system will break down.
Setter control is the equalizer. Fast tempo through the middle and back row can disrupt defenses built on size. At the line, serving pressure is non-negotiable. Short floats and deep zones should push Fresno’s Haluska or Boise State’s ball handlers into awkward swings.
CSU needs cohesion. Utah State’s power and San Diego State’s opposites punish hesitation. Seam coverage and patient rally play keep points alive.
The travel grind adds another hurdle: hydration, sleep, and in-venue tune-ups are as critical as tactics. Everything builds toward Las Vegas, where neutral-site routine will decide whether this season ends with silverware.
Final thoughts
The Rams earned their place in the top tier, but the poll only sets the runway. The real verdict comes in October and November when Utah State, San Diego State, and Boise State crowd the calendar. Grand Canyon’s debut adds uncertainty.
If CSU can master the cadence, polish its scouting, and win key road battles, it will arrive in Las Vegas ready to claim more than just respect. It could be one farewell to remember!