By: Jeff Evans, Assistant AD for Athletic Communications
BELLINGHAM, Wash. – The Western Washington University volleyball team heads into the 2026 season ranked No. 20 in the AVCA-Taraflex Division II Preseason Poll.
Coming off a 19-7 campaign and appearance in the NCAA West Regional Championships, the Vikings solidified its national top-20 preseason ranking with the season opener less than two weeks away.
WWU has earned a preseason national ranking from the AVCA 11 of the last 13 seasons. The Vikings finished the 2025 season ranked No. 18 in the nation.
Western officially opens the 2026 season August 27-29 with three matches in the CWU Invitational in Ellensburg. The Vikings opening match of the season comes against defending West Region champion and preseason No. 4 nationally ranked Point Loma.
Always known for featuring a tough strength of schedule, the Vikings will face four teams ranked in the top 25 preseason poll and seven teams including others receiving votes. WWU (#20) joins Simon Fraser (#15) and Alaska Fairbanks (#16) as GNAC programs in the top 25, with Central Washington and Alaska Anchorage receiving votes just outside of the top 25.
WWU will take to the road for the six non-conference matches prior to opening Great Northwest Athletic Conference play with the home opening weekend September 10-12 hosting Northwest Nazarene (Sept. 10, 7 pm) and Central Washington (Sept. 12, 7 pm) on WECU Court in Carver Gym.
The complete season schedule is available at WWUVikings.com with season tickets available at WWUVikings.com/Tickets.
AVCA PRESEASON COACHES POLL
Here is a look at the 2026 AVCA/Taraflex Division II Women's Volleyball Preseason Poll:
|
Rk
|
School (1st Votes)
|
Points
|
|
1.
|
Concordia-St. Paul (18)
|
1142
|
|
2.
|
Tampa (10)
|
1108
|
|
3.
|
MSU Denver (18)
|
987
|
|
4.
|
Point Loma
|
965
|
|
5.
|
St. Cloud State
|
916
|
|
6.
|
Barry (1)
|
903
|
|
7.
|
Nebraska-Kearney
|
895
|
|
8.
|
Washburn
|
793
|
|
9.
|
Wayne State (Neb.)
|
786
|
|
10.
|
Ferris State
|
763
|
|
11.
|
Fresno Pacific
|
625
|
|
12.
|
Central Oklahoma
|
535
|
|
13.
|
Wingate
|
527
|
|
14.
|
Southwest Minnesota State
|
507
|
|
15.
|
Simon Fraser
|
424
|
|
16.
|
Alaska-Fairbanks
|
397
|
|
|
Missouri Western
|
397
|
|
18.
|
Lynn
|
350
|
|
19.
|
West Texas A&M
|
342
|
|
20.
|
Western Washington
|
279
|
|
21.
|
Angelo State
|
248
|
|
22.
|
Bentley
|
212
|
|
23.
|
Gannon
|
205
|
|
24.
|
Missouri-St. Louis
|
174
|
|
25.
|
Cal State San Bernardino
|
89
|
