KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The preseason NAIA Women’s Volleyball Coaches’ Top 25 Poll reflects a shift at the top, with Northwestern (Iowa) climbing to No. 1 after finishing the 2025 season as national runner-up. Indiana Wesleyan, dropped from No. 1 to No. 4 after winning the teams third consecutive title and graduating several players. Eastern Oregon and Concordia (Neb.) also continued their ascent, moving up to Nos. 2 and 3, respectively, after strong seasons. The movement at the top underscores the depth of contenders in this year’s national landscape.
Several teams made notable gains throughout the rankings. McPherson (Kan.) rose to No. 7 after finishing the previous season with a 34-3 record, while Oklahoma Wesleyan climbed to No. 12 and The Master’s (Calif.) advanced to No. 15. Southern Oregon made one of the biggest jumps, moving from the receiving votes category into the Top 25 at No. 22. The race toward the NAIA National Championship remains as competitive as ever, with with the season starting this Friday, Aug 14.
The Red Raiders finished the 2025 season as the national runners-up and will return Stella Winterfield, the 2025 GPAC Player of the Year and NAIA First Team All-American. The team will open the season on Aug. 21 in the Hope International tournament.
The Mountaineers finished the 2025 season in the semifinals with a loss to national champions Indiana Wesleyan. Eastern returns a strong core from last year’s squad, including CCC Setter of the Year Kate Stidham and First Team All-CCC and NAIA All-Tournament selections Kiera Vaughn and Brooke Womack. The Mountaineers welcome back 12 players overall, including four starters, while adding six newcomers through three freshmen and three transfers. EOU will open the season in Tennessee at the Phoenix Classic, opening play against Columbia International (S.C.).
The 2025 season ended in the semifinals for the Bulldogs to Northwestern (Iowa). The team loses seven key players from the 2025 roster and looks to Emma Breuggemann, Shandy Faalii and Maddie Paulsen to lead the young team that boasts only three seniors on the roster. CUNE will open the season on Aug. 18 on its home court against York (Neb.).
Indiana Wesleyan captured its third consecutive title last season. The Wildcats will have a new look this season after graduating seven seniors including NAIA Player of the Year Eva Joldersma and NAIA First Team Abbigail Porter. IWU will open its season in Florida at the Keiser Tournament with Florida National being first up on Aug. 14.
The Warriors closed the 2025 season in the quarterfinals with a loss to the champions Indiana Wesleyan. CRB looks to replace key losses in Makayla Roginski, Abby Guindy, Kaile’a Ontai, Gracie Boeder and Addison Mills now looking to the leadership of Emma Bischoff, Kendra Bittle and Nadeiah Howard. Corban will open its season in Sioux City, Iowa against Morningside (Iowa) on August 20.
The Argonauts finished the 2025 season in the quarterfinals after a loss to Concordia (Neb.). UP lost six key contributors after the previous season, including two All-Americans and the NAIA Setter of the Year, and reloads with 12 new players that join 10 returners. Providence will travel to Oahu, Hawaii, for its season opener on August 14 against Indiana Tech.
The 2025 season ended in the quarterfinal round of the national championship with a loss to Eastern Oregon. McPherson only graduated three seniors from their roster as they look to maintain a solid foundation for the upcoming season. The new season opens for the team on Aug. 15 in Sioux City, Iowa against Corban (Ore.).
The Bruins ended the previous season in the quarterfinals with a loss to Northwestern (Iowa). BU returns 14 letter winners and three starters from 2025 and will be replacing key losses in Eve Fountain, Kealy Kiviniemi, and Savanna Berger. Bellevue will travel to Fort Wayne, Ind. for its season opener at the Onset Invitational as the teams first serve of the season is set for August 21 against Indiana Tech.
MVNU competed in the pool play round of the national tournament at the close of the 2025 season. The team looks to fill some holes in its roster this season after graduating five seniors. First serve of the 2026 season for the Cougars will take place in Florida at the Keiser tournament on August 14 against the host team Keiser (Fla.).
UC competed in the pool play round of the national tournament at the close of the 2025 season. The Patriots will look to the leadership of returners Sara Zampedri, Savannah Jolly, Brynnley Bryant, Alana Shiery and Elaina Fischer as they look to fill a hole in the roster left by graduating senior Kara Gipson. Cumberlands (Ky.) opens the season on August 14 in West Palm Beach at the Keiser tournament where they will take on Goshen (Ind.) for first serve of the 2026 season.
| TREND | RANK | LAST TIME | INSTITUTION [FIRST-PLACE VOTES] | 2025 RECORD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▲ | 1 | 2 | Northwestern (Iowa) [5] | 33-4 |
| ▲ | 2 | 3 | Eastern Oregon [2] | 32-3 |
| ▲ | T-3 | 4 | Concordia (Neb.) | 28-4 |
| ▼ | T-3 | 1 | Indiana Wesleyan [9] | 33-4 |
| ● | 5 | 5 | Corban (Ore.) | 27-6 |
| ● | 6 | 6 | Providence (Mont.) | 34-3 |
| ▲ | 7 | 8 | McPherson (Kan.) | 34-3 |
| ▼ | 8 | 7 | Bellevue (Neb.) | 29-5 |
| ▲ | 9 | 10 | Mount Vernon Nazarene (Ohio) | 27-9 |
| ▼ | 10 | 9 | Cumberlands (Ky.) | 36-1 |
| ● | 11 | 11 | Missouri Baptist | 31-6 |
| ▲ | 12 | 13 | Oklahoma Wesleyan | 26-5 |
| ▼ | 13 | 12 | IU Kokomo (Ind.) | 32-6 |
| ● | 14 | 14 | St. Thomas (Fla.) | 27-5 |
| ▲ | 15 | 16 | The Master’s (Calif.) | 24-5 |
| ▲ | 16 | 18 | Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.) | 20-12 |
| ● | 17 | 17 | Aquinas (Mich.) | 33-7 |
| ▲ | 18 | 20 | College of Idaho | 21-10 |
| ▼ | 19 | 15 | Bushnell (Ore.) | 22-13 |
| ▲ | 20 | 21 | Midland (Neb.) | 19-12 |
| ▲ | 21 | 23 | Cornerstone (Mich.) | 27-9 |
| ▲ | 22 | RV | Southern Oregon | 16-12 |
| ▼ | 23 | 19 | Lewis-Clark State (Idaho) | 18-9 |
| ▼ | 24 | 22 | Mobile (Ala.) | 30-5 |
| ● | 25 | 25 | Viterbo (Wis.) | 27-7 |
Receiving Votes: Huntington (Ind.), Taylor (Ind.), Grand View (Iowa), Cumberland (Tenn.), Park (Mo.), Montana Tech, Lindsey Wilson (Ky.), Columbia International (S.C.), Columbia (Mo.), Texas Wesleyan
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