CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Toledo Rockets were selected No. 1 in the 2026 Mid-American Conference Volleyball Preseason Coaches’ Poll, following a historic performance as last season’s tournament champion. Additionally, fourteen of the conference’s top student-athletes were selected to the 2026 Preseason All-MAC Team. Both polls were voted on by the league’s 11 head coaches, and they were not allowed to vote for their own team or players.

The Rockets collected 92 team points, seven first-place votes, and six nods to go back-to-back as MAC Tournament Champions. Jessica Costlow, Grace Freiberger, Olivia Heitkamp, and Sierra Pertzborn were all named to the Preseason All-MAC Team as well.

Ball State was selected No. 2 in the preseason poll, with 91 team points and three first-place votes. The Cardinals will host the 2026 MAC Volleyball Championship on their home court, while receiving five picks to be tournament champions. Three Cardinals were named to the Preseason All-MAC Team, including Gwen Crull, Sophie Ledbetter, and Camryn Wise.

Western Michigan totaled 78 team points to finish No. 3. Bowling Green and Ohio both finished tied in the No. 4 slot (71 pts.), with the Bobcats receiving the final first-place vote.

All five of the top five ranked teams participated in last year’s conference tournament.

The 2026 season kicks off on Friday, Aug. 28, with 15 non-conference games on the master schedule. Eastern Michigan at Central Michigan will open up league play on Tuesday, Sept. 22.

The top six teams in the standings following the end of the regular season on Saturday, Nov. 14, will then begin postseason competition on Nov. 20-22 at Worthen Arena in Muncie, Ind.

For more MAC Volleyball news throughout the season, visit www.GetSomeMaction.com and follow @MACSports on Twitter (X), Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.

2026 MAC Volleyball Preseason Coaches Poll
(First place votes)
1. Toledo – 92 pts. (7)
2. Ball State – 91 pts. (3)
3. Western Michigan – 78 pts.
T-4. Bowling Green – 71 pts.
T-4. Ohio – 71 pts. (1)
6. Miami – 59 pts.
7. Akron – 41 pts.
8. Buffalo – 35 pts.
9. Eastern Michigan – 31 pts.
10. Central Michigan – 21 pts.
11. Kent State – 15 pts.
Tournament Champion: Toledo (6), Ball State (5)
 
2026 Preseason All-MAC Team (alphabetical by school)
Delaney Gash, Outside Hitter, Akron
Lyndi Wolf, Middle Blocker, Akron
Gwen Crull, Middle Blocker, Ball State
Sophie Ledbetter, Libero, Ball State
Camryn Wise, Middle Blocker, Ball State
Avery Hobson, Outside Hitter, Bowling Green
Bailey Blair, Opposite, Ohio
Emily Waddell, Middle Blocker, Ohio
Molly Creech, Outside Hitter, Miami
Jessica Costlow, Outside Hitter, Toledo
Grace Freiberger, Libero, Toledo
Olivia Heitkamp, Outside Hitter, Toledo
Sierra Pertzborn, Middle Blocker, Toledo
Leah Richmond, Setter, Western Michigan