Johns Hopkins University women’s volleyball begins the 2026 season ranked No. 11 in the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Preseason Poll, reflecting their sixth consecutive NCAA Sweet 16 appearance. The poll, announced Thursday, awarded Johns Hopkins 1,102 points.
National Rankings Highlight Top Teams
Defending national champion Wisconsin-Oshkosh leads the poll with 76 first-place votes and 1,900 points. Trinity (Texas), a 2025 Final Four participant, ranks second with 1,622 points, followed by Berry in third place.
Other Elite Eight participants from last season appearing in the top 10 include East Texas Baptist (No. 4), Colby, La Verne, Wisconsin-Eau Claire (No. 7), and Calvin. Juniata is ranked 12th. Additional teams receiving votes include Babson, St. John Fisher, Salisbury, and Franklin & Marshall from the Centennial Conference.
Challenging Early Season Schedule
Johns Hopkins opens the season with three early matches before facing nationally ranked opponents in back-to-back contests against No. 18 Ithaca and No. 20 Carnegie Mellon. The Blue Jays will also compete at the Trinity (TX) Fall Classic, taking on No. 2 Trinity (TX) and No. 14 Washington-St. Louis.
The season’s opening matches are scheduled against Penn State Altoona on Sept. 4 at 7 p.m., UMass Boston on Sept. 5 at 10 a.m., and William Paterson on Sept. 5 at 4 p.m. The match against Carnegie Mellon is set for Sept. 12 at 3 p.m.
Roster Combines Experience and New Talent
The team blends seasoned upperclassmen, newcomers, and a graduate transfer, adding depth and versatility in preparation for a demanding schedule featuring several nationally ranked opponents.
Maryland Sports Blog Take
Johns Hopkins University women’s volleyball enters 2026 with a No. 11 preseason ranking and six consecutive NCAA Sweet 16 appearances. The early schedule provides significant opportunities to compete against top-ranked teams, including No. 2 Trinity (TX), No. 14 Washington-St. Louis, No. 18 Ithaca, and No. 20 Carnegie Mellon.
For the complete poll announcement and schedule details, see the Johns Hopkins University Athletics release.
Source: Original report
