PORTLAND, Ore. – The Central Washington University volleyball team has been picked to finish second in the 2026 Great Northwest Athletic Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll, as announced by the conference Tuesday. The Wildcats earned six first-place votes and 88 total points, trailing only fellow regular season champion Simon Fraser in the poll.
The preseason recognition comes after a memorable 2025 campaign in which Central Washington captured its second consecutive GNAC championship and advanced to the NCAA Division II West Regional semifinals. The Wildcats return a talented core from last year's title-winning squad to enter the season with expectations of once again competing for conference and regional honors.
Central enters 2026 under the direction of first-year head coach
Lauren Herseth, who previously served as the program's associate head coach for five seasons. Herseth inherits a veteran roster featuring several key contributors from last season's championship run and has emphasized the team's blend of experience and young talent throughout fall camp.
Among the returning leaders for the Wildcats are All-GNAC performers
Ellie Marble,
Kailey Willsey,
Kayleigh-Shay Chang, and
Brooklyn Parker and a group of experienced upperclassmen who helped guide CWU to an 18-win season and a conference crown in 2024 and 2025. Willsey was named the GNAC Freshman of the Year last season for her efforts on Central's front line. The Wildcats also welcomed a strong incoming class that is expected to provide immediate depth across the roster.
The Wildcats open the 2026 season Aug. 27-29 at home for the CWU Invitational, where they will take on San Francisco State, Point Loma and Chaminade.
| 2026 GNAC Volleyball Preseason Coaches' Poll |
| Rank |
Team (1st Place Votes) |
Points |
2025 Record |
2025 GNAC Record (Finish) |
| 1 |
Simon Fraser (2) |
90 |
20-5 |
14-4 (T-1st) |
| 2 |
Central Washington (6) |
88 |
19-8 |
14-4 (T-1st) |
| 3 |
Alaska (2) |
84 |
24-6 |
14-4 (T-1st) |
| 4 |
Western Washington |
73 |
19-7 |
13-5 (5th) |
| 5 |
Alaska Anchorage |
60 |
23-6 |
14-4 (T-1st) |
| 6 |
Seattle Pacific |
41 |
12-14 |
7-11 (T-6th) |
| 7 |
Northwest Nazarene |
39 |
6-19 |
5-13 (8th) |
| 8 |
Saint Martin's |
38 |
14-12 |
7-11 (T-6th) |
| 9 |
Western Oregon |
26 |
3-23 |
2-16 (9th) |
| 10 |
Montana State Billings |
11 |
2-22 |
0-18 (10th) |
For the full GNAC release, click
HERE
