The Calvin University women's volleyball team was picked first in the MIAA Preseason Poll released by the conference on Wednesday.
 
The Knights received 63 total points and seven (out of a possible eight) first-place votes to finish first in the poll. Hope College received two first-place votes and 58 total points in the poll in second place.
 
Last season under the direction of head coach Dr. Amber Warners, Calvin went 28-4 overall and 7-1 in MIAA for a second-place league finish but won the MIAA Tournament. In the NCAA III Tournament, the Knights won the Illinois Wesleyan University regional before falling in the quarterfinal round to eventual national champion UW-Oshkosh.
 
This season, the Knights return a number of key performers, led by a pair of All-MIAA performers in senior libero Tryna Vander Zwaag (Hamilton, Mich./Holland Christian) and sophomore outside hitter Sarah Bradley (Clarkston, Mich./Everest Collegiate). Vander Zwaag was named MIAA Defensive Player of the Year, while Bradley earned Freshman of the Year honors.
 
Caralee Schipper (Mount Brydges, Ontario/Strathroy District Collegiate Institute), Mary Boa (Atlanta, Ga./Riverwood International Charter), Delaney Kemp (Frisco, Texas/Frisco Centennial), Grace Spoelma (Caledonia, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian) and Lina Kasuboski (Racine, Wis./Union Grove) also return with significant experience from last season.
 
The Knights will open the 2026 season with a tournament hosted by Colorado College on Friday, September 4. The Knights will face St. Norbert College and Colorado College on opening day. The first Calvin MIAA match is scheduled for October 13 at Saint Mary's College.
 
The full results of the preseason poll are below:

1. Calvin University (63 points, 7 first-place votes)
2. Hope College (58, 2)
3. Albion College (50)
4. Trine University (43)
5. Saint Mary's College (34)
6. The University of Olivet (29)
7. Alma College (22)
8. Kalamazoo College (15)
9. Adrian College (10)