2026 NAC Women's Volleyball Preseason Poll & Players to Watch

8/27/2026 1:00:00 PM

WATERVILLE, Maine – The 2026 North Atlantic Conference (NAC) Women’s Volleyball Preseason Poll has been released, and defending champion Maine Maritime Academy is the unanimous favorite to clinch the North Atlantic Conference title this season, according to a vote of NAC head coaches.

Maine Maritime claimed all seven first-place votes and 49 points overall while Husson University finished second with 41 points and Thomas College placed third with 35 points. Rounding out the top five vote getters are UMaine-Presque Isle (25 points) and Vermont State University Johnson (23 points), finishing fourth and fifth respectively. Vermont State University Lyndon and Lesley University tallied 15 and 8 points to round out the poll.

The Mariners look to repeat as NAC champions after defeating SUNY Delhi last fall by a 3-0 score in the 2025 finale. Maine Maritime has claimed 12 total championships and eight in nine years. Under the leadership of head coach Jessany Petricevic and her staff (2025 NAC Coaching Staff of the Year), the Mariners return three 2025 All-NAC honorees including NAC First Team Syndey Williams and NAC Second Team honorees Ally Hadley and Hannah Tate.

All NAC women’s volleyball teams open the 2026 season during the week of September 1. Non-conference play will continue through September until NAC action starts Saturday, October 3.

Click on each team below to view their capsules and Players to Watch

2026 NAC Women’s Volleyball Preseason Coaches’ Poll 
Institution – Points (First Place Votes)

  • Head Coach:Jessany Petricevic
    Head Coach's Overall Coaching Record (Record/Seasons)77-27/Three Seasons
    Head Coach's Record at School: (Record/Seasons)21-9/One Season
    Last Season's Record (Overall/Conference):21-9 overall / 8-0 NAC 
    No. of Starters Returning:3
    No. of Starters Lost:3
    No. of Returning Roster Players from 2024 team:4
    Top Returning Players (Name/Position/Year):Sydney Williams / Outside Hitter / Senior 
    Ally Hadley / Outside Hitter / Senior
    Hannah Tate / Defensive Specialist / Junior
    Top Newcomers (Name/Position/Year):N/A
  • Head Coach:Sue Medley
    Head Coach's Overall Coaching Record (Record/Seasons)107-152/10th Season
    Head Coach's Record at School: (Record/Seasons)0-0/1st Season
    Last Season's Record (Overall/Conference):9-17 overall / 7-1 NAC
    No. of Starters Returning:2
    No. of Starters Lost:5
    No. of Returning Roster Players from 2024 team:2
    Top Returning Players (Name/Position/Year):Peyton Hooker / Setter/Outside Hitter / Sophomore
    Janna Preskorn / Setter/Outside Hitter / Senior
    Top Newcomers (Name/Position/Year):Lilly Andreasan / Outside Hitter / Junior
    Autumn Peterson / Middle Blocker / Junior
  • Head Coach:MJ Rose
    Head Coach's Overall Coaching Record (Record/Seasons)8-16 (1 season)
    Head Coach's Record at School: (Record/Seasons)8-16 (1 season)
    Last Season's Record (Overall/Conference):8-16 overall / 5-3 NAC
    No. of Starters Returning:4
    No. of Starters Lost:3
    No. of Returning Roster Players from 2024 team:5
    Top Returning Players (Name/Position/Year):Camille Gibson / Libero / Senior
    Lindsay Pool / Setter / Senior
    Addison Lebel / Middle Blocker / Sophomore
    Jordan Child / Right Hitter / Junior
    Karissa Cotoia / Defensive Specialist / Senior
    Top Newcomers (Name/Position/Year):Natalie Roy / Outside Hitter / Junior
    Savannah Lopez / Defensive Specialist / Junior
  • Head Coach:Jonathon Bowman
    Head Coach's Overall Coaching Record (Record/Seasons)7-15
    Head Coach's Record at School: (Record/Seasons)7-15
    Last Season's Record (Overall/Conference):7-15 overall / 3-5 NAC
    No. of Starters Returning:3
    No. of Starters Lost:3
    No. of Returning Roster Players from 2024 team:5
    Top Returning Players (Name/Position/Year):Maubi Mateo / Libero / Sophomore
    Rylie Kolkow / Right-Side Hitter / Junior
    Jade Anspach / Middle Blocker / Junior
    Top Newcomers (Name/Position/Year):Eveylyn Perkins / Setter / Junior
  • Head Coach:Dongping Fang
    Head Coach's Overall Coaching Record (Record/Seasons)-
    Head Coach's Record at School: (Record/Seasons)49-67/ 5 seasons
    Last Season's Record (Overall/Conference):10-15 overall / 3-5 NAC
    No. of Starters Returning:4
    No. of Starters Lost:3
    No. of Returning Roster Players from 2024 team:8
    Top Returning Players (Name/Position/Year):Sepphyre Lepaga-Telona / Middle Blocker / Sophomore
    Haylee Hansen / Outside Hitter / Sophomore
    Top Newcomers (Name/Position/Year):Nikki Alvarez / Libero/Defensive Specialist / First-Year
  • Head Coach:Steven Friscia
    Head Coach's Overall Coaching Record (Record/Seasons)1st season upcoming
    Head Coach's Record at School: (Record/Seasons)1st season upcoming
    Last Season's Record (Overall/Conference):3-22 overall / 1-7 NAC
    No. of Starters Returning:4
    No. of Starters Lost:3
    No. of Returning Roster Players from 2024 team:4
    Top Returning Players (Name/Position/Year):Olivia Cordova / Libero / Sophomore
    Shae Clegg / Senior / Outside Hitter
    Top Newcomers (Name/Position/Year):Kyra Fessenden / Setter & Right Side / First-Year
    Taniya Davis / Setter & Right Side / First-Year
    Emily Lopez / Outside Hitter & Defensive Specialist / First-Year
  • Head Coach:Cory Linhares
    Head Coach's Overall Coaching Record (Record/Seasons)0-28
    Head Coach's Record at School: (Record/Seasons)0-28
    Last Season's Record (Overall/Conference):0-28 overall / 0-8 NAC
    No. of Starters Returning:3
    No. of Starters Lost:4
    No. of Returning Roster Players from 2024 team:6
    Top Returning Players (Name/Position/Year):Shae Thomas / Outside Hitter / Senior
    Alawnah Dunda / Middle Hitter / Junior
    Top Newcomers (Name/Position/Year):Layla Rose Melius-Paddick / Middle / First-Year
    Lily Kinney / Setter / First-Year
    Danielle Veillette / Defensive Specialist / First-Year

2026 NAC Players to Watch

The North Atlantic Conference is pleased to present the 2026 Women’s Volleyball Preseason Players to Watch list, which includes 14 student-athletes who were selected by their head coaches to represent their respective teams.

  • Sepphyre Lepega-Telona | Sophomore | Middle Blocker | Ewa Beach, Hawaii

    Lepega-Telona was a key contributor for the Badgers in 2025, appearing in 23 matches and 81 sets. She recorded 114 kills, 41 total blocks, 46 digs and seven service aces, finishing the season with 157 total points.

    Nikki Alvarez | First-Year | Libero / Defensive Specialist | Stuart, Fla.

    Alvarez joins the Badgers as a first-year libero/defensive specialist and will look to make an impact for Vermont State Johnson as she begins her collegiate career.

  • Peyton Hooker | Sophomore | Setter / Outside Hitter | Plattsburgh, N.Y.

    Hooker made an instant impact for the Husson women’s volleyball team in her freshman season, stepping in as the team’s primary setter. Hooker tallied a team-high 378 assists, while also appearing in a team-high 90 sets over 26 matches played. Additionally, Hooker posted 29 kills and 44 service aces, to go along with 168 digs and three total blocks, as she was named NAC Rookie of the Week once last year.

    Janna Preskorn | Senior | Middle Blocker / Outside Hitter | Centennial, Colo.

    A staple in the Husson women’s volleyball offense for the past three seasons, Janna Preskorn is looking to make a lasting impact in her final year in the green and gold. Preskorn, who is a three-time NAC All-Conference selection, finished second on the Eagles last year in kills (144), assists (179) and service aces (48), while also recording 189 digs and 19 total blocks to solidify an all-around solid year for the Eagles.

  • Layla Rose Melius-Paddick | First-Year | Middle Hitter | Dahlonega, Ga.

    Melius-Paddick joins the Lynx as a first-year middle hitter and will look to make an impact for Lesley as she begins her collegiate career.

    Shae Thomas | Senior | Outside Hitter / Setter | Clayton, N.C. 

    Thomas returns as a team leader for the Lynx after a standout 2025 season. She appeared in all 28 matches and 88 sets, leading Lesley in kills (114), kills per set (1.3), attacks (552) and total points (145). Elected co-captain by her teammates, Thomas also earned a spot on the NAC Sportsmanship Team.

  • Nei'Shae Clegg | Senior | Outside Hitter | Coolidge, Ariz.

    Shae returns for her second season as an outside hitter.  One of the Hornets’ most athletic players, she played in and started 15 matches, recording 51 kills, seven assists, and ten aces.  Shae will again be a big part of the Hornet attack this season.

    Olivia Cordova | Junior | Libero/Defensive Specialist | Craig, Colo.

    Olivia started all 25 matches a year ago.  A liber and defensive specialist, she posted 152 digs and recorded 93 assists, 14 kills, and 20 aces.  She is expected to again be an anchor to the Hornet back line and provide leadership and stability.

  • Ally Hadley | Senior | Outside Hitter | Hebron, Conn. 

    Hadley returns as a key veteran for the Mariners after a successful 2025 season. She appeared in all 30 matches with 30 starts, finishing third on the team with 215 kills while adding 60 aces and 218 digs. A Second Team All-Conference selection, Hadley also earned NAC All-Tournament Team honors.

    Sydney Williams | Senior | Outside Hitter | Melbourne, Fla

    Williams returns as one of the NAC’s top offensive threats after a standout junior season. She led the conference with 331 kills while ranking second with a .301 attack percentage. A four-time NAC Player of the Week, Williams earned First Team All-Conference honors and was named NAC Tournament MVP and to the All-Tournament Team.

  • Jade Anspach | Junior | Middle Blocker / Right-Side Hitter | Pueblo, Colo.

    Anspach returns for her junior year and will be the Owls top returning attacker. Last year she racked up 82 kills in 57 sets played while totaling 16 aces as well. She played the other side well too, totaling 45 digs and 16 blocks. 

    Maubi Mateo | Sophomore | Outside Hitter / Right-Side Hitter | Bronx, N.Y.

    Mateo was the Owls' Libero last year but will serve in a variety of ways this year. She led the team with 353 digs for an average of 4.36 per set. She also was the primary returner and posted a great reception percentage of .901.

  • Lindsay Pool | Senior | Setter / Outside Hitter | Henderson, Nev. 

    Setter from Henderson, Nevada. Pool is also entering her senior season and was awarded NAC All-Conference Second Team last season. Pool had a do-it-all type of season in 2025, earning 133 kills, 212 assists, 165 digs, and 165 points.

    Camille Gibson | Senior | Libero | Cortlandt Manor, N.Y. 

    Libero from Courtlandt Manor, New York. Gibson is heading into her senior season after winning the NAC Defensive Player of the Year award in 2025 and also earned NAC All-Conference First Team. Gibson registered 402 digs last season, along with 41 points.