SAN DIEGO – Four future Mojo standouts selected in the 2025 MLV Draft – Hayden Kubik (Tennessee), Gillian Grimes (Penn State), Allison Jacobs (Michigan) and Elia Rubin (Stanford) – are set to take center stage in the 2025 NCAA Women’s Volleyball Tournament in one of the most competitive brackets in recent years. Their postseason runs also come with a strong local tie, as the University of San Diego earned an automatic berth to join the field and represent the city on the national stage.
HAYDEN KUBIK – OUTSIDE HITTER, TENNESSEE
Tennessee earned the No. 7 seed in the Kentucky Quadrant, placing Hayden Kubik in a strong position to make an immediate postseason impact.
- First-round matchup: Tennessee (20-7) vs. Utah State (23-7)
Kubik, a 6-2 outside hitter from West Des Moines, Iowa, has been one of the Volunteers’ most consistent offensive options. Her versatility and physicality on the pin will be essential as Tennessee navigates a quadrant headlined by No. 1 seed Kentucky, No. 2 Arizona State, and No. 3 Creighton.
GILLIAN GRIMES – LIBERO, PENN STATE
The defending national champions return to the bracket as the No. 8 seed in the Texas Quadrant, where senior libero Gillian Grimes anchors the Nittany Lions’ back row.
- First-round matchup: Penn State (18-12) vs. South Florida (17-12)
Grimes, a 5-6 libero from Westchester, Illinois, has been central to Penn State’s defensive identity, helping stabilize a team playing in the same quadrant as national contenders Texas, Wisconsin and Stanford. Her postseason experience and elite serve-receive will be key as Penn State attempts another deep run.
ALLISON JACOBS – OUTSIDE HITTER, MICHIGAN
Michigan enters the Pitt Quadrant as the No. 8 seed and draws one of the most competitive opening-round tests.
- First-round matchup: Michigan (21-10) vs. Xavier (26-4)
Jacobs, a 5-11 outside hitter from Stevenson Ranch, California, has been a consistent and high-IQ attacker for the Wolverines. Her ability to score out of system will be essential in a quadrant dominated by No. 1 Pitt – a program that has reached four straight Final Fours – as well as Iowa State, Minnesota and Purdue.
ELIA RUBIN – OUTSIDE HITTER, STANFORD
One of the most decorated players in the field, Stanford’s Elia Rubin leads a Cardinal team that enters the tournament as the No. 2 seed in the Texas Quadrant.
- First-round matchup: Stanford (27-4) vs. Utah Valley (16-10)
Rubin, a 6-1 outside hitter from Santa Monica, California, brings Stanford’s trademark combination of poise and firepower. With Texas, Wisconsin and Penn State also in their quadrant, the road to the Final Four is steep — but Stanford’s experience and balance make them one of the tournament’s most dangerous threats.
Local Spotlight: USD Back in the Tournament
San Diego fans also have a hometown program in the mix. USD (25-4) earned the No. 8 seed in the Nebraska Quadrant, opening against Kansas State. A potential second-round matchup with top-seeded Nebraska adds intrigue as the Toreros look to continue their recent run of postseason success.
This year’s bracket is loaded with high-efficiency offenses, veteran defensive specialists and elite coaching – the exact environment that showcases the skill sets of the Mojo’s newest draftees.
The first round begins December 4–5, with regional semifinals set for December 11–14. The Final Four lands in Kansas City at the T-Mobile Center on December 18, followed by the national championship on December 21.
As Kubik, Grimes, Jacobs and Rubin begin their postseason journeys, Mojo fans will get an early glimpse at the talent and competitiveness that will soon define the organization’s next chapter.
2025 DI women's volleyball championship schedule
- First round: Dec. 4-5
- Thursday, Dec. 4
- Friday, Dec. 5
- Second round: Dec. 5-6
- Regionals: Dec. 11 and 13 or Dec. 12 and 14
- Semifinals: Thursday, Dec. 18
- National championship: 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 21 | ABC
The 2026 Major League Volleyball season begins in January, with the Mojo beginning the season on January 8 in Omaha before returning to Viejas Arena for a marquee Opening Night matchup against the defending champion Orlando Valkyries on January 11. Mojo fans can purchase single-game tickets now at LetsGoMojo.com. For more information, contact the team at tickets@letsgomojo.com or call 619-984-6656 (MOJO).
ABOUT SAN DIEGO MOJO
The San Diego Mojo is a professional women’s volleyball team proudly representing San Diego, California, and a founding member of Major League Volleyball (MLV) — the premier women’s professional volleyball league in North America. Owned by longtime San Diegan and UC San Diego alumnus Gary E. Jacobs, managing director of Jacobs Investment Company (JIC), the Mojo is committed to growing the game of volleyball across Southern California. Through youth clinics, community partnerships, and fan engagement, the Mojo aims to inspire the next generation of athletes while showcasing the excitement and excellence of professional sports.
ABOUT MAJOR LEAGUE VOLLEYBALL
Major League Volleyball, entering its third season, is the longest-running formal professional volleyball league for women in the United States. Designed to elevate the sport through world-class competition, commercial innovation, and cultural relevance, MLV brings together elite athletes, visionary leadership and global ambition. With alignment to USA Volleyball and a commitment to Olympic development, MLV serves as the premier pathway from professional play to the world stage. For more information, visit ProVolleyball.com.