DAVIS, Calif. —A new era in Davis will begin on July 1 when Ari Homayun officially takes over as the new head coach for UC Davis beach volleyball. A rising star in collegiate coaching and decorated former student-athlete, Homayun brings with her a history of building successful teams, mentoring student-athletes, and excelling both on the sidelines and in the sand.

"We are thrilled to welcome Ari Homayun to UC Davis as our new head coach for beach volleyball" says Director of Athletics Rocko DeLuca. "Ari's energy, competitive drive, and student-athlete-centered approach stood out immediately. Her impressive track record of success as both a player and coach, paired with leadership focused on team culture make her a perfect fit for our department and the future of Aggie beach volleyball."

Homayun arrives in Davis after a historic season as head coach at CSUN, where she led the program to unprecedented achievements during the 2024-25 season. Under her leadership, the Matadors earned their first-ever win over a ranked opponent, posted a new program record for most wins in a single season, and developed a standout freshman who broke the school record for individual wins. And to top it all off Homayun became the winningest coach in program history in her third season.

"I'm incredibly honored to join the UC Davis community and lead the beach volleyball program" states Homayun. "I'm excited to build on the strong foundation here and help our student-athletes grow – not just on the sand, but as people, teammates, and leaders. I want to thank Rocko DeLuca, [Senior Associate Athletics Director, Sports Administration & Development] Josh Flushman, and the entire administration for believing in me and giving me this opportunity. Their support and vision for the program mean a lot, and I'm truly looking forward to being part of the Aggie family"

Before her time at CSUN, Homayun served as an assistant coach at Cal Poly, working alongside Olympic gold medalist Todd Rogers. There, she helped guide the Mustangs to a Big West Championship, a top 10 national ranking, and the program's first NCAA Championship match win. She launched her coaching career at Hawai'i, her alma mater, where she had a memorable playing career.

A four-time NCAA Championship participant, Homayun remains Hawai'i's all-time leader in both overall (118) and dual (115) match victories. She was a multi-time All-Big West honoree, received American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Top Flight Awards, and earned academic all-conference recognition throughout her time as a student-athlete.