KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) released its first Women's Volleyball Regular Season Coaches' Top 25 Poll for the 2026 season on Wednesday morning, where the Corban University women's volleyball program moved up one spot to No. 4 nationally following an impressive opening two weeks of competition. The Warriors were ranked No. 5 in the preseason poll and are one of five Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) programs currently featured in the Top 25.

To view the most recent NAIA Women's Volleyball Coaches' Top 25 Poll, click HERE.

"We're honored to be ranked in the top five of our nation!" exclaimed head coach Kim McLain. "Our focus continues to be on getting better each day. Playing an extremely tough preseason schedule has exposed areas where we need to improve, and that is exactly what we wanted. We know the journey is long, and we're committed to taking it one day at a time. We're excited to begin CCC play and embrace the challenges ahead!"

Corban enters CCC action with a 7-2 overall record after navigating one of the nation's most demanding non-conference schedules. The Warriors opened the year with nationally-ranked opponents in all four matches at the Siouxland Volleyball Invitational where they kicked off a seven-match winning streak. During that stretch, Corban earned victories over four nationally ranked programs and one receiving-votes squad.

The move to No. 4 continues the Warriors' standing among the NAIA's elite programs. Corban concluded the 2025 season with a 27-6 overall record, advanced to the NAIA National Quarterfinals, and finished the year ranked No. 5 nationally. The Warriors extended their streak of national tournament appearances to 10 consecutive seasons and once again showcased their ability to compete with the country's top programs.

Among Corban's early-season highlights were victories over four teams currently ranked in the NAIA Top 25. The Warriors defeated No. 3 Concordia (Neb.), No. 5 McPherson (Kan.), No. 11 Dakota Wesleyan, and No. 24 Viterbo (Wis.), helping solidify their climb in the national rankings.

The first regular-season poll was topped by Eastern Oregon, which received 17 of the 18 first-place votes after opening the season 11-0. Northwestern (Iowa) checked in at No. 2, followed by Concordia at No. 3, with Corban landing at No. 4 and McPherson rounding out the top five.

Corban is one of six CCC institutions represented in this week's rankings, joining Eastern Oregon (No. 1), College of Idaho (No. 9), Lewis-Clark State (T-No. 12), and Southern Oregon (No. 18) while Bushnell University dropped from No. 19 to the receiving-votes category entering their I-5 rivalry matchup to kick off conference play later tonight.

The Warriors will open Cascade Conference competition this week as they continue their pursuit of a conference championship and national tournament berth. Corban's upcoming schedule includes four-straight CCC road matchups at RV Bushnell, Warner Pacific, Northwest, and Evergreen State over the next two weeks.

 

2026 NAIA Women's Volleyball Preseason Top 25 Poll – No. 1

Rank   Institution [First-Place Votes]         2026 Overall Record

1.         Eastern Oregon [17]                                   11-0

2.         Northwestern (Iowa) [1]                               6-1

3.         Concordia (Neb.)                                         6-2

4.         Corban (Ore.)                                              7-2

5.         McPherson (Kan.)                                        6-2

6.         Indiana Wesleyan                                        8-3

7.         Providence (Mont.)                                      6-1

8.         Missouri Baptist                                           7-2

9.         College of Idaho                                           7-0

10.       Cumberlands (Ky.)                                       9-1

11.       Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.)                              8-1

T12.     Aquinas (Mich.)                                            9-1

T12.     Lewis-Clark State (Idaho)                            6-0

14.       Taylor (Ind.)                                                 10-3

15.       Mount Vernon Nazarene (Ohio)                 10-3

16.       Midland (Neb.)                                             6-3

17.       The Master's (Calif.)                                    4-4

18.       Southern Oregon                                         8-2

19.       Bellevue (Neb.)                                            4-2

20.       Morningside (Iowa)                                      7-2

21.       St. Thomas (Fla.)                                         4-5

22.       IU Kokomo (Ind.)                                          4-4

23.       Spring Arbor (Mich.)                                     8-2

24.       Viterbo (Wis.)                                               4-4

25.       Southeastern (Fla.)                                      5-3

Receiving Votes: Bushnell (Ore.), Cornerstone (Mich.), College of Saint Mary (Neb.), Cumberland (Tenn.), Fisk (Tenn.), Grace (Ind.), Marian (Ind.), Mobile (Ala.), Montana Tech, Nelson (Texas), Oklahoma City

 

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