USD Magazine Spring 2026

TORERO ATHLETICS

PERFECT! Women’s Volleyball Secures Undefeated WCC Season With Win Over Zags University of San Diego women’s volleyball closed out a historic regular season in dominant fashion last December, defeating Gonzaga to complete a perfect 18-0 run through West Coast Conference play. Already crowned 2025 WCC champions and headed to the NCAA tournament, the Toreros embraced Head Coach Jennifer Petrie’s challenge to finish what they started — an undefeated league campaign. The accomplishment marks just the third time in program history that USD has gone unbeaten in conference play. Despite dropping the opening set, San Diego quickly regained control and overwhelmed Gonzaga the rest of the way, showcasing the depth, balance and poise that defined its season. The victory extended the team’s winning streak to 18 matches and further cemented its dominance within the conference. For Petrie and her players, the achievement was about more than a title — it was about setting a standard.

Game Changer Natalie McCliman spent the Fall 2025 semester watching surgeons perform craniotomies, brain shunts and bowel resections. Then she would put on her catching gear for softball practice. The senior and biology major in the College of Arts and Sciences has spent the past four years at USD demonstrating what it means to truly be a student-athlete. As a trauma unit intern at Scripps Mercy Hospital in Hillcrest, McCliman rotated with interns and residents in the surgical ICU and trauma bay, observing procedures ranging from open femur fracture repairs to live emergency responses. The internship, coordinated through USD’s pre-health advising, alongside vascular surgeon Michael Sise, MD, selects only 30 juniors and seniors through a competitive application process. McCliman was one of those selected for the opportunity. “If you’re pre-health, I 100% recommend it,” she said. “It makes you decide, ‘OK, do I really want to do this?’ and I loved it.” Outside of the operating room, McCliman founded EmpowHER, an organization that brings together female-identifying student athletes at USD to build community, develop leadership and give back. Inspired by a conversation at last summer’s West Coast Conference Leadership Summit in Spokane, Washington, she and co-president

Skyler Horder of the swim and dive team organized a semester-long donation drive, collecting feminine hygiene products, soap, clothing and other essentials to create care packages for women residing at Rachel’s Shelter in downtown San Diego. The duo didn’t tell the nonprofit organization they were assembling these care packages. They simply packaged the donations together and personally delivered them to the staff at Rachel’s Shelter. “Feminine hygiene is something that not everybody gets access to,” McCliman said. “Recognizing those privileges is what helps us come together and try to help each other.” McCliman also serves as vice president of USD’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). SAAC is a student-led organization focused on building community and spirit among all athletic teams while working with USD Athletics administrators to express the needs of student-athletes. Behind the plate, McCliman is closing out her career as a Torero with optimism. The Toreros entered WCC play this spring with what she called a “special group.” “It was a complete honor to play for USD and represent such a great university,” she said. “The relationships I’ve made are ones that will last a lifetime.” Now preparing for the MCAT, she plans to apply to medical school, leaning toward obstetrics and gynecology — a passion deepened by her time in the trauma unit.

“My heart still lies in OB/GYN,” she said. “What excites me about becoming a doctor is being compassionate and helping patients because you’re often seeing a person on the worst day of their life. Being able to empathize with that person and support them is something I look forward to.” — Kelsey Grey '15 (BA)

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