Ball State University Athletics
Photo by: Bobby Ellis/Ball State University
WVB Places Three On Preseason All-MAC, Voted Second In Coaches Poll
August 24, 2026 | Women's Volleyball
CLEVELAND - - With the women's volleyball season set to get underway this week, the Mid-American Conference released its annual Preseason Coaches' Poll Monday (Aug 24) and predicted Ball State to finish second in the league's regular season race.
The defending regular season champion Cardinals earned 91 points and three first place votes, trailing only defending tournament champion Toledo (92 points / seven first place votes).
The Rockets also had a slight edge over Ball State in the MAC Women's Volleyball Championship projections, earning seven votes to the Cardinals' six.
Along with the team rankings, Ball State placed three student-athletes on the Preseason All-MAC Team. Representing the squad were senior middles Gwen Crull and Camryn Wise, along with junior defensive specialist/libero Sophie Ledbetter. All three were First Team All-MAC selections last season.
The Ball State women's volleyball team opens its 2026 season Friday, when it travels to Notre Dame for a 6:30 p.m. battle with the Fighting Irish on ACCNX. The Cardinals complete their stay at Purcell Pavilion Saturday with a 3 p.m. first serve vs. Xavier.
2026 MAC Volleyball Preseason Coaches' Poll
First Place Votes in ()
1. Toledo – 92 pts. (7)
2. Ball State – 91 pts. (3)
3. Western Michigan – 78 pts.
T-4. Bowling Green – 71 pts.
T-4. Ohio – 71 pts. (1)
6. Miami – 59 pts.
7. Akron – 41 pts.
8. Buffalo – 35 pts.
9. Eastern Michigan – 31 pts.
10. Central Michigan – 21 pts.
11. Kent State – 15 pts.
Tournament Champion: Toledo (6), Ball State (5)
2026 Preseason All-MAC Team (alphabetical by school)
Delaney Gash, Outside Hitter, Akron
Lyndi Wolf, Middle Blocker, Akron
Gwen Crull, Middle Blocker, Ball State
Sophie Ledbetter, Libero, Ball State
Camryn Wise, Middle Blocker, Ball State
Avery Hobson, Outside Hitter, Bowling Green
Bailey Blair, Middle Blocker, Ohio
Emily Waddell, Middle Blocker, Ohio
Molly Creech, Outside Hitter, Miami
Jessica Costloe, Outside Hitter, Toledo
Grace Freiberger, Libero, Toledo
Olivia Heitkamo, Outside Hitter, Toledo
Sierra Pertzborn, Middle Blocker, Toledo
Leah Richmond, Setter, Western Michigan
The defending regular season champion Cardinals earned 91 points and three first place votes, trailing only defending tournament champion Toledo (92 points / seven first place votes).
The Rockets also had a slight edge over Ball State in the MAC Women's Volleyball Championship projections, earning seven votes to the Cardinals' six.
Along with the team rankings, Ball State placed three student-athletes on the Preseason All-MAC Team. Representing the squad were senior middles Gwen Crull and Camryn Wise, along with junior defensive specialist/libero Sophie Ledbetter. All three were First Team All-MAC selections last season.
The Ball State women's volleyball team opens its 2026 season Friday, when it travels to Notre Dame for a 6:30 p.m. battle with the Fighting Irish on ACCNX. The Cardinals complete their stay at Purcell Pavilion Saturday with a 3 p.m. first serve vs. Xavier.
2026 MAC Volleyball Preseason Coaches' Poll
First Place Votes in ()
1. Toledo – 92 pts. (7)
2. Ball State – 91 pts. (3)
3. Western Michigan – 78 pts.
T-4. Bowling Green – 71 pts.
T-4. Ohio – 71 pts. (1)
6. Miami – 59 pts.
7. Akron – 41 pts.
8. Buffalo – 35 pts.
9. Eastern Michigan – 31 pts.
10. Central Michigan – 21 pts.
11. Kent State – 15 pts.
Tournament Champion: Toledo (6), Ball State (5)
2026 Preseason All-MAC Team (alphabetical by school)
Delaney Gash, Outside Hitter, Akron
Lyndi Wolf, Middle Blocker, Akron
Gwen Crull, Middle Blocker, Ball State
Sophie Ledbetter, Libero, Ball State
Camryn Wise, Middle Blocker, Ball State
Avery Hobson, Outside Hitter, Bowling Green
Bailey Blair, Middle Blocker, Ohio
Emily Waddell, Middle Blocker, Ohio
Molly Creech, Outside Hitter, Miami
Jessica Costloe, Outside Hitter, Toledo
Grace Freiberger, Libero, Toledo
Olivia Heitkamo, Outside Hitter, Toledo
Sierra Pertzborn, Middle Blocker, Toledo
Leah Richmond, Setter, Western Michigan
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's Volleyball
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/ Women's Volleyball
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/ Women's VolleyballMonday, August 24
Wednesday, August 19
Tuesday, August 04
Monday, August 03