BRIGHTON, Mich. -- Calvin University has been selected as the preseason favorite in the 2026 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) Volleyball Preseason Poll after collecting 63 points and seven first-place votes. Hope College follows with 58 points and two first-place votes, while Albion College rounds out the top three with 50 points.
The MIAA announced the preseason poll following a vote of the league’s nine head coaches. The 2026 season features a talented group of returning All-MIAA selections, conference award winners, and AVCA All-Region honorees as the league prepares for another competitive fall season.
1. Calvin University – 63 points (7 first-place votes)
Calvin finished second in the MIAA standings last season with a 7-1 conference record and a 28-4 overall mark. The Knights went on to capture the 2025 MIAA Volleyball Tournament Presented by Collegiate Credit Union.
Senior defensive specialist Tryna Vander Zwaag leads the returning group after being named the 2025 MIAA Defensive Player of the Year and earning Second Team All-MIAA honors. Sophomore outside hitter Sarah Bradley also returns after being named the 2025 MIAA Freshman of the Year, earning Second Team All-MIAA recognition. Bradley was additionally selected as the 2025 AVCA Region 7 Freshman of the Year and received AVCA All-Region Honorable Mention.
Head coach Amber Warners enters her 25th season leading the Knights after being named the 2025 MIAA Volleyball Coach of the Year and the 2025 AVCA Region 7 Coach of the Year.
2. Hope College – 58 points (2 first-place votes)
Hope captured the 2025 MIAA regular-season championship with a perfect 8-0 conference record and finished 23-7 overall.
Senior middle hitter Kamryn Burbridge headlines the Flying Dutch after becoming a three-time All-MIAA honoree with a First Team selection last season. Burbridge also earned AVCA All-Region First Team honors. Junior middle blocker Olivia Wyma joins her after earning First Team All-MIAA and AVCA All-Region First Team recognition in 2025. Senior defensive specialist Kathryn Oates adds experience to the Hope lineup after earning Second Team All-MIAA honors last season.
3. Albion College – 50 points
Albion placed third in the MIAA last season with a 6-2 conference record and a 24-5 overall mark.
Senior rightside hitter Carly Frank leads the Britons after becoming a two-time All-MIAA honoree with a First Team selection in 2025 and earned AVCA First Team All-Region honors. Junior setter Molly Edmunds returns after earning Second Team All-MIAA recognition, while senior defensive specialist Paige Williamson enters her final season as a three-time All-MIAA honoree after earning another Second Team selection last year.
4. Trine University – 43 points
Trine finished fourth in the MIAA last season with a 5-3 conference record and an 11-15 overall mark.
The Thunder will look to sophomore outside hitter Elli Baker, who led the team with 100.5 points and 90 kills during her freshman campaign. Senior defensive specialist Jordan Budzinski also returns after leading Trine with 147 digs last season.
5. Saint Mary’s College – 34 points
Saint Mary’s tied-for-fifth in the MIAA standings last season with a 3-5 conference record and a 16-11 overall mark.
Senior middle hitter/return specialist Caroline Carens returns as a two-time All-MIAA honoree after earning First Team recognition in 2025. Junior setter Giuliana Graczyk also enters the season as a key contributor after leading the Belles with 151 assists and 17 service aces last year.
6. The University of Olivet – 29 points
Olivet tied-for-fifth in the MIAA last year with a 3-5 conference record and finished 8-19 overall.
Sophomore outside hitter/defensive specialist Payton Smith returns after earning Second Team All-MIAA honors last season and leading the Comets with 24 blocks. Junior Jordyn Smith also provides experience after leading Olivet with 286 assists.
7. Alma College – 22 points
Alma finished seventh in the MIAA last season with a 2-6 conference record and a 9-17 overall mark.
Sophomore outside hitter Emily Carling leads the returning group after pacing the Scots with 71.5 points, 55 kills, and 12 service aces last season. Junior defensive specialist/libero Grace Steiner also returns after recording a team-best 139 digs, while senior middle blocker Katelyn Schell enters the season after leading Alma with 28 blocks.
8. Kalamazoo College – 15 points
Kalamazoo tied-for-eighth in the MIAA standings last season with a 1-7 conference record and a 10-17 overall mark.
Junior setter Makala Goddard returns after leading the Hornets with 139 assists last season. Senior Savannah Chappie also provides experience at the net after leading Kalamazoo with 24 blocks.
9. Adrian College – 10 points
Adrian tied-for-eighth in the MIAA last season with a 1-7 conference record and finished 2-19 overall.
Senior setter Emma Leinberger leads the Bulldogs’ returning group after recording a team-best 186 assists and 10 service aces last season. Senior outside hitter Virginia Rowan also returns after totaling 51 kills, averaging 1.96 kills per set.
Up Ahead
The first regular-season contests of the 2026 season are scheduled for October 1-3. Olivet will host Adrian on October 1, Albion will host Alma on October 2, and Kalamazoo will host Saint Mary’s while Trine hosts Hope on October 3. The MIAA Volleyball Tournament Presented by Collegiate Credit Union is scheduled for November 10 (first round), November 13 (semifinals), and November 14 (final).