Haddonfield. N.J. – Marymount University was selected as favorites once again, aiming to defend its Atlantic East Conference crown, as per the results of the 2026 Women’s Volleyball Preseason Coaches’ Poll released on Friday afternoon.
The Saints picked up five first place votes and 25 total points. Head Coach Tom Doherty returns for his second season at the helm after leading the Saint to an AEC Championship in 2025, posting an undefeated 7-0 record in conference play. Marymount is coming off its fourth straight AEC title, returning several impact players. 2025 AEC Player of the Year Ava Humphries, who led the conference with 518 digs, returns for her senior year. Humphries is accompanied by 2025 Rookie of the Year Hailey LaBonte, the 2025 tournament MVP, and Second Team All-Conference selection Elizabeth Stackpole.
Landing second was Immaculata who picked up one first place vote for 20 points overall. The Mighty Macs will feature a young roster, having 11 underclassmen and only one senior after bowing out to Marywood in the AEC semifinals last year.
Centenary tallied 14 points, alongside Gwynedd Mercy who received an equal amount of votes, leaving the Cyclones and Griffins tied third in the poll.
Saint Elizabeth received 11 votes, good for fifth place, and will be under new leadership in Bron Schuster. Pratt rounded out the bunch with six votes and will also have a new Head Coach in Gary Preston Jr.
Gwynedd Mercy and Immaculata begin the regular season with matches on Tuesday, September 1. Pratt begins play on Thursday, September 3, with Marymount opening play on Friday, September 4 and Saint Elizabeth on Sunday, September 5, respectively. Conference play will begin on Wednesday, October 14 as Marymount travels to Centenary. Saturday, October 17 sees Pratt travel to Gwynedd Mercy and Immaculata host Saint Elizabeth.
The 2026 Atlantic East Tournament is set to begin with the first round on Tuesday, November 10th followed by the semifinals on Thursday, November 12, and the title contest on Saturday, Nov 14th.
Women’s Volleyball Coaches’ Poll
1. Marymount - 25 (5)
2. Immaculata - 20 (1)
T-3. Centenary - 14
T-3. Gwynedd Mercy - 14
5. Saint Elizabeth - 11
6. Pratt - 6
ABOUT ATLANTIC EAST
The Atlantic East Conference is a member of NCAA Division III comprising six institutions in a four-state area - Gwynedd Mercy and Immaculata Universities in Pennsylvania; Centenary and Saint Elizabeth Universities in New Jersey, Marymount University in Virginia, and Pratt Institute in New York.
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