LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Southwest Minnesota State volleyball team begins the 2026 season ranked 14^th in the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Division II Preseason Poll released on Monday.
 
SMSU is one of four NSIC schools ranked in the Top 25 with Concordia-St. Paul leading the way at No. 1. St. Cloud State is ranked at No. 5, and Wayne State begins the season at No. 9, with the Mustangs in the 14^th spot. Minnesota State, Sioux Falls, Northern State, and Minnesota Duluth are all receiving votes.
 
SMSU returns 11 letter winners from its 2025 team that finished 21-7 overall, 14-6 NSIC, finishing tied for fourth in the conference. The Mustangs finished ranked No. 13 in the final 2025 AVCA Top 25 poll. The 2026 team features three seniors, four juniors, three sophomores, two redshirt freshman, and five true freshmen.

The Mustangs will host their annual 'Late Show' on Thursday, Aug. 20, at 7 p.m. inside the PE Gym. Attendance is open to all with free admission.
 
SMSU opens the regular season on Aug. 28-29 with four matches at the West Florida Classic in Pensacola, Fla. SMSU takes on Wheeling (W. Va.) and Spring Hill (Ala.) on Friday, Aug. 28, followed by matches versus West Florida (exhibition) and a second match against Wheeling on Saturday, Aug. 29^th.
 
SMSU begins its 20-match NSIC season on the road against Concordia-St. Paul on Friday, Sep. 11. The Mustangs' PE Gym home opener takes place on Friday, Sep. 18 against St. Cloud State.