CORBIN, Ky. — The Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) published its 2026 Women's Volleyball Preseason Coaches' Poll on Tuesday morning. According to the league's release, the Montreat College Cavaliers are anticipated to finish 14^th overall in the regular season standings.
 
Last year, the Cavs delivered a 0-19 (0-19 AAC) campaign. Montreat ended the season playing some of its best volleyball, taking a set in four of its final five matches, including one against the 2025 AAC preseason favorite, Reinhardt University.
 
Overall, the Cavaliers accumulated 23 points in the voting process, 10 fewer than Bryan College. Columbia International University picked up 12 of the 14 first-place votes and accrued 192 points en route to being named the conference's preseason favorite for the 2026 season.
 
The 2026 AAC Women's Volleyball Preseason Coaches' Poll was voted on by the head coaches of each institution in the league. Teams received 14 points for a first-place vote, 13 for second place, 12 for third place and so on until all 14 teams were ranked. Programs were then ordered by most points received to least points received.
 
Montreat hopes to conclude the regular season among the top 10 teams in the league standings and earn a spot in the 2026 AAC Women's Volleyball Tournament. This year's conference postseason event is slated for Nov. 12-14 at the MeadowView Conference Resort & Convention Center in Kingsport, Tenn.
 
AAC Women's Volleyball Preseason Coaches' Poll
School (First-Place Votes) - Total Voting Points
1. Columbia International (12) - 193
2. Reinhardt - 172
3. Pikeville (1) - 161
4. Tennessee Wesleyan - 148
5. Johnson (1) - 146
6. Brenau - 117
7. Union Commonwealth - 104
8. Spartanburg Methodist - 95
9. Bluefield - 92
10. Milligan - 79
11. Truett McConnell - 66
12. Columbia - 41
13. Bryan - 33
14. Montreat - 23