Simona Mateska Joined Washington Volleyball Program

The standout athlete joined the team to bolster a program aiming for higher rankings after a rebuild.

Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Volleyball

Simona Mateska Joined Washington Volleyball Program

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Simona Mateska joined the University of Washington volleyball program following her 2024 academic tenure at the University of Belgrade. The team currently holds a 12-1 record and sits at number 20 in the national rankings.

Why it matters

The University of Washington sought to improve program performance after missing the NCAA tournament last season. Mateska, who earned AVCA All-North Region honors as a freshman, cited coach Sanja Tomasevic as a primary influence for her commitment.

The University of Washington currently holds a 12-1 record with a 6-1 mark in Big Ten play, a significant improvement over last season's 13-17 record. The squad is ranked 20th nationally.

The players

Simona Mateska

She is a standout volleyball player who transferred to the University of Washington after a successful freshman year.

Sanja Tomasevic

She is a coach at the University of Washington and a prominent figure who inspired Mateska to join the program.

Andrea Fabikovicová

She is a collegiate volleyball player who joined the University of Washington roster through the transfer portal.

The details

Mateska was recruited to the Seattle-based team via a virtual call and has quickly integrated into the rotation, notably recording 11 kills and 13 digs during a victory against Purdue on October 4, 2026. The program also acquired Andrea Fabikovicová via the transfer portal to strengthen the roster.

Simona Mateska attended the University of Belgrade during 2024.
Mateska competed for the Serbian U22 team in the summer of 2026.
The University of Washington defeated Purdue on October 4, 2026.

Season Trajectory

This roster addition follows a pattern established by the NCAA tournament selection process, where teams aggressively recruit to recover from missing postseason play. The strategic move positions Washington to maintain their current national ranking of 20 throughout the demanding Big Ten schedule.

Mateska's arrival has contributed to the team's improved 6-1 Big Ten record and their current top-20 national standing. Her recent 11-kill performance against Purdue signals a consistent role in the team's offensive and defensive rotation.

The takeaway

The addition of international talent like Mateska demonstrates how collegiate programs utilize the transfer portal and global recruiting to rapidly rebuild competitive standing. These roster shifts allow teams to pivot from losing seasons to ranked status within a single calendar year.