NMU projected to finish fourth, MTU seventh, and LSSU tenth
The Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) announced on Monday the results of the 2026 volleyball preseason poll, as voted on by the league coaches.
Ferris State was selected to claim the GLIAC crown in 2026, receiving 9 of 11 first-place votes, totaling 99 points. The Bulldogs are coming off back-to-back trips to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight and have been picked 10th in the 2026 AVCA/TaraFlex Division II Preseason National Rankings. FSU returns three 2025 First Team All-GLIAC honorees — Emily May, Gabby Piazza and Hayley Wegener.
Grand Valley State was positioned second in the poll, earning two first-place votes (90 points). The Lakers, who tallied 19 wins a year ago, including 12 in league play, will be lead by all-conference selections Brianna Stawski and Kennedy Arp in 2026.
GLIAC regular season co- and tournament champion Wayne State was voted third in the preseason poll, collecting 78 points. In 2026, the Warriors will be anchored by 2025 GLIAC Setter of the Year Kayla Dulgar and 2025 GLIAC Freshman of the Year Katerina Stout.
Northern Michigan (73, 4th) and Parkside (69, 5th) were separated by four points in the vote. The Wildcats placed tied for second in the GLIAC standings in 2025, winning 12 conference matches and get back All-GLIAC Second Teamers Allie Barlow and Liesl Haugen for the 2026 campaign. The Rangers will be headlined by two-time GLIAC Defensive Player of the Year Natalie Harris.
Davenport polled 6th, amassing 52 points, followed closely by Michigan Tech in 7th with 49 points.
Purdue Northwest (34) and Saginaw Valley State (32) ranked 8-9, respectively, with only two points separating the teams.
Two teams with new coaches round out the rankings — Lake Superior State (10th, 16 points) and Roosevelt (11th, 13 points). LSSU will be lead by Chelsea Cooke-Tripp while Jasmine Chambers will helm the RU volleyball program.
