CLEVELAND, Ohio – The North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) released its 2026 preseason coaches poll for volleyball on Thursday afternoon. The Ohio Wesleyan University volleyball team was picked to finish fourth in the eight-team conference field.

The reigning NCAC champions Wittenberg were the unanimous favorite in the poll with 64 points and all eight first-place votes. John Carroll came second with 55 points, followed by Denison in third with 43 points, and the Battling Bishops in fourth with 41 points. DePauw (37), Oberlin (17), Wooster (16), and Kenyon (15) made up the bottom half of the table.

The Red and Black finished third in the conference last season with 5-2 record, ultimately making an appearance in the NCAC Tournament quarterfinals and finishing the season 15-14 overall.

The Bishops open the 2026 season at home on Tuesday, September 1, hosting Heidelberg at 7 p.m. at Branch Rickey Arena.