MCVL, U.S.A. — The results of the 2026 Midwest Collegiate Volleyball League's Preseason Poll as voted by the league's 10 head coaches:
2026 MCVL Coaches Pre-Season Poll
| Place | Team | Points (1st-Place Votes) |
| 1. | Mount Union | 75 (5) |
| 2. | Baldwin Wallace | 74 (3) |
| 3. | Wittenberg | 68 (2) |
| 4. | Trine | 55 |
| 5. | Wabash | 49 |
| 6. | Adrian | 39 |
| 7. | Calvin | 31 |
| 8. | Mount St. Joseph | 30 |
| 9. | Olivet | 18 |
| 10. | Spalding | 11 |
A barn-burner of a preason poll was released today, predicting the order of finish for the 2026 Midwest Collegiate Volleyball League's teams. Mount Union, the 2025 regular-season and conference-tournament champions, edged out Baldwin Wallace by just one point. The Raiders totaled 75 points and five first-place votes. The Yellow Jackets finished with 74 points and three first-place votes. Wittenberg got the other two first-place nods and were just six points out of second place. The MCVL now has 10 members after Spalding University's entry into the league for 2026.
Mount Union is coached by Matt Mihelic. Mihelic was the league's Coach of the Year in 2025 after his team went 20-9 overall with a perfect 8-0 record in MCVL play. It was Mihelic's second Coach of the Year honor. Baldwin Wallace went 19-11 overall and 6-2 in the MCVL under head coach Kyle Mars. Seeded third in the 2025 league tournament, BWU lost to Mount Union in a thrilling five-set tournament final. Wittenberg made the league tournament after Jamie Peterson took over the program in mid-season. She is just the second female head coach in the 12-year history of the MCVL. The coaches believe the same four teams will make the league tournament again this year with Trine in the poll's number-four spot. The Thunder's coach is Will Dowdy. Trine won the league tournament two years ago under his direction. Wabash was picked fifth (49), followed by Adrian (39), Calvin (31), Mount St. Joseph (30), Olivet (18), and newcomer Spalding (11).
The poll goes out the window in early February when the league season begins.
Digging Deeper ...
| 1. Mount Union | |
| Head Coach | Matt Mihelic (2025 MCVL Coach of the Year) |
| 2025 Overall / MCVL Record (Place) | 20-9 / 8-0 (1st) |
| 2025 MCVL Tournament | TOURNAMENT CHAMPION (defeated Baldwin Wallace, 3-2) |
| Key Players | Michael Bowler (Sr., MB) > 2025 MCVL Offensive Player of the Year, 1st team All-MCVL; Peyton Koszelak (Jr., L) 2025 MCVL Defensive Player of the Year, 1st team All-MCVL; Owen Geissman (So., OH) > 6th on team with 79 kills as a freshman. |
| Coach Mihelic Quote | "We have a few key pieces coming back from our team last year and are eager to see how this group of underclassmen gel within our program on the floor. We look forward to another great year of competition within the MCVL." |
| 2. Baldwin Wallace | |
| Head Coach | Kyle Mars |
| 2025 Overall / MCVL Record (Place) | 19-11 / 6-2 (3rd) |
| 2025 MCVL Tournament | Runner-Up (lost to Mount Union in championship, 2-3) |
| Key Players |
Daniel Latham (Jr., OH) > 2025 1st team All-MCVL; Colby Whiteside (Sr., OH) 2025 2nd team All-MCVL > Owen Huynh (Jr., OH) > 7th on team with 89 kills as a sophomore.
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| Coach Mars Quote |
"We're looking forward to another season of high-level volleyball, and are grateful to be able to represent Baldwin Wallace and compete in the MCVL."
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| 3. Wittenberg | |
| Head Coach | Jamie Peterson |
| 2025 Overall / MCVL Record (Place) | 13-10 / 7-2 (3rd) |
| 2025 MCVL Tournament | Semifinal (lost to Baldwin Wallace, 1-3) |
| Key Players | Michael Yurk (Sr., OH) > 2025 2nd team All-MCVL; Eli Halverson (Sr., OH) 2025 2nd team All-MCVL; Jake Downs (Sr. L) > 2025 Honorable Mention All-MCVL in 2025, 2025 MCVL All Tournament Team. |
| Coach Peterson Quote | "We are looking forward to returning the majority of our starters from last season while adding some new pieces that will add depth to our gym. We have a large group of seniors that is hungry to go compete at a high level in the MCVL this season. " |
| 4. Trine | |
| Head Coach | Will Dowdy |
| 2025 Overall / MCVL Record (Place) | 15-9 / 5-3 (4th) |
| 2025 MCVL Tournament | Semifinal (lost to Mount Union, 1-3) |
| Key Players |
Johnson-Kuhao Ho'okano-Pelekai (Sr., OH) > 3rd on team with 126 kills (1.48/set); Karl Both (Jr., MB) > 4th on team with 97 kills (1.48/set).
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| Coach Dowdy Quote | "I am looking forward to see the growth across the entire conference and the continued national success all MCVL programs can have. We are a young, athletic group that is eager to compete this year." |
| 5. Wabash | |
| Head Coach | Ashaun Baker |
| 2025 Overall / MCVL Record (Place) | 16-10 / 4-4 (5th) |
| Key Players |
Patrick Volk (Sr., OPP) > 3rd on team with 185 kills (2.40/set); Bawithathawng Thang (Jr., OH) > 2025 2nd team All-MCVL; Jaden Greenwell (Fr., MH) > Led his HS team to consecutive runner-up state finishes.
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| Coach Baker Quote | "Each year Wabash has made significant strides in the right direction. Our fall ball season has been one of the most competitive and hardworking experiences for our program. The MCVL is filled with great athletes and highly experienced coaches which motivate us even more to get better each play. " |
| 6. Adrian | |
| Head Coach | Jose Soto |
| 2025 Overall / MCVL Record (Place) | 6-18 / 2-6 (7th) |
| Key Players | Sam Landers (Jr., OH) > 2025 2nd team All-MCVL; Carson Bell (Sr., MB) > 2025 Honorable Mention All-MCVL; Rolen Maclin (So., L) Led team with 204 digs (2.62/set). |
| Coach Soto Quote | "We are returning a majority of our roster from last year, really only losing 3 players. That being said, last season has motivated the returners to put in a lot of work this fall and are eager to show it this season!" |
| 7. Calvin | |
| Head Coach | Aaron Sagraves |
| 2025 Overall / MCVL Record (Place) | 8-18 / 1-7 (8th) |
| Key Players |
Gabe Laughlin (Gr., Opp) > 2025 Honorable Mention All-MCVL; Nick Bultje (Jr., MB) > 2025 Honorable Mention All-MCVL; Parker Steele (Sr., L) > Led team with 192 digs (2.09/set).
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| Coach Soto Quote | "A new coaching staff and a blend of experienced veterans and talented newcomers has our program excited for the 2026 campaign. This fall we were able to learn a lot about each other and the program these young men want to be a part of. Now we take that to the floor and get the chance to compete against some top tier programs not only in our conference but the country." |
| 8. Mount St. Joseph | |
| Head Coach | Eric Santiago Garcia |
| 2025 Overall / MCVL Record (Place) | 11-15 / 3-5 (6th) |
| Key Players | Carson Reed (So., OH) > 295 kills in 2024; Sean Murray (So., L) > 145 digs in 2024 (2.16/set); Roger Wilcox (Sr., MB) > 3rd on team with 114 kills (1.54/set). |
| Coach Santiago Garcia Quote | "We are very excited to enter the 2026 season with this group. This young core is hungry for success and growth. The preseason gave us a lot of insight into the new possibilities and exciting opportunities we can pursue with this talent!" |
| 9. Olivet | |
| Head Coach | Gabe Murley |
| 2025 Overall / MCVL Record (Place) | 3-21 / 0-8 (9th) |
| Key Players | Silas Martin (So., OH) > 2025 Honorable Mention All-MCVL; Matthew Tollar (Sr., DS) > 1st on team with 59 digs in league matches (2.11/set); Aiden Chamblee (Jr., OH) > 58 kills in league matches (2.07/set). |
| Coach Murley Quote | "We're really looking forward to the upcoming MCVL season. We have several returners who gained valuable experience last year and are ready to take on even bigger roles. They'll be joined by a strong group of newcomers who are already raising the level of play in our gym. The blend of leadership, talent, and fresh energy has us excited about the direction we're heading and the potential this team has in 2026" |
| 10. Spalding | |
| Head Coach | Eric Garvey |
| 2025 Overall / MCVL Record (Place) | First-year program |
| Key Players | Tye-Anthony Curtis (Fr., OPP) > Plano, Texas (6'4"); Brayden Overberg (Fr., S) > Louisville, Ky. (6'1"); Khoa Nguyen-Truong (Fr., MB) > New Orleans, La. (6'3") |
| Coach Garvey Quote | "We are extremely excited to be joining the MCVL and putting our inaugural team on the floor. The 2026 Golden Eagles will be a young team of freshmen that are a close-knit group looking to establish a solid foundation & program identity!" |