Coaches vote Purdue volleyball as preseason top-10 team in rankings

[ASFN Admin]

Coming off a strong season, Purdue volleyball begins the 2026 season with high expectations.

The Boilermakers are ranked 9th on the American Volleyball Coaches Association preseason list, along with seven other Big Ten programs, including overwhelming No. 1 Nebraska.

Coach Dave Shondell's team went 27-7 last season (15-5, tied for third place in the Big Ten), reaching the Elite 8. Four other Boilers teams coached by Shondell have reached the regional finals. He returns the core of his roster, including star outside hitter Kenna Wollard, right-side Grace Heaney, setter Taylor Anderson and libero Ryan McAleer, among others.

Purdue starts this season against No. 13 Creighton on Aug. 28 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

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AVCA national volleyball rankings​

(with first-place votes)

1. Nebraska (57)
2. Texas (1)
3. Kentucky (4)
4. Pittsburgh
5. Stanford
6. Wisconsin
7. Louisville
8. Texas A&M (1)
9. Purdue
10. Penn State
11. SMU
12. Arizona State
13. Creighton
14. Minnesota
15. Kansas
16. Indiana
17. Florida
18. TCU
19. North Carolina
20. USC
21. Baylor
22. Tennessee
23. Colorado
24. BYU
25. Oregon

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Coaches vote Purdue volleyball as preseason top-10 team in rankings

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