University of Northern Iowa Athletics
Panther volleyball tops 2026 MVC preseason poll
8/24/2026 10:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Bixby, Dykstra, Hartman, Petersen named to Preseason All-MVC Team as UNI seeks fifth straight championship.
ST. LOUIS --- The UNI volleyball team has been picked as the favorite to capture its fifth consecutive Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) regular season title, as announced in the release of the league's annual preseason coaches poll on Monday morning.
Northern Iowa received nine out of 11 first-place votes and 119 total points to top the preseason poll for a fourth straight year, with in-state rival Drake picked second with 96 points and one first-place vote. Valparaiso was selected third with 88 points, while Belmont and UIC tied for fourth with one first-place vote for UIC.
The conference also announced its eight-member Preseason MVC All-Conference Team with UNI earning four selections in middle blocker Maryn Bixby, outside hitters Lily Dykstra and Cassidy Hartman and defensive specialist/libero Jadyn Petersen.
UNI will look to add to its historic legacy this fall as Panthers seek its fifth straight MVC regular season title, which would tie the program's own league record for consecutive championships from 1998 to 2002. The Panthers will also look to notch the conference's second five-peat in the MVC Tournament, following UNI's six consecutive tournament crowns from 1998 to 2003.
Northern Iowa, who enters the 2026 campaign receiving votes in the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA)/Taraflex Preseason Coaches Poll, return 16 players from last season's roster, including reigning MVC Player of the Year in Hartman, plus First Team All-MVC honorees in Dykstra and Bixby. Petersen, along with Isabelle Elliott also earned spots on last year's MVC All-Freshmen Team.Â
The Panthers will open the 2026 season on Friday afternoon as they take on Georgia Tech in the opening match of the Cyclone Invitational in Ames. First serve is scheduled for 4 p.m. CT at Hilton Coliseum with live coverage available on ESPN+ and the Panther Sports Radio Network.
Single-match and season tickets for the 2026 volleyball season can be purchased online through the UNI Ticket Office, by calling 319-273-4849 or through email at tickets@uni.edu.
Â2026 MVC PRESEASON VOLLEYBALL POLL TOP-SIX [First-Place Votes] (Points)
- 1.) UNI [9] (119)
- 2.) Drake [1] (96)
- 3.) Valparaiso (88)
- T4.) Belmont (83)
- T4.) UIC [1] (83)
- 6.) Illinois State (73)
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2026 PRESEASON ALL-MVC
- Grace Furlong (OH) - Bradley
- Tendai Titley (OH) - Bradley
- Ruth Ziegler (RS) - Illinois State
- Maryn Bixby (MB) - UNI
- Lily Dykstra (OH/OPP) - UNI
- Cassidy Hartman (OH) - UNI
- Jadyn Petersen (DS/L) - UNI
- Ava Helming (RS) - Valparaiso
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UNI volleyball action can be followed all season long on social media on Facebook (UNI Volleyball), X (@UNIVolleyball) and on Instagram (@univolleyball). The full 2026 schedule and roster, along with the latest Panther news and information can be found online at UNIpanthers.com.
