Miami Selected Sixth in MAC Preseason Poll; Creech Named All-MAC
8/24/2026 11:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
CLEVELAND, Ohio— The Mid-American Conference announced the 2026 MAC Volleyball Preseason Coaches Poll and All-MAC Team Monday morning. In a poll of the 11 Mid-American Conference (MAC) head volleyball coaches, Miami University was predicted to finish sixth in the MAC.
Miami returns nine players from 2025, highlighted by Molly Creech, who was picked Preseason All-MAC. The RedHawks open the 2026 season by traveling to Huntsville, Texas for the Bearkat Invitational Aug. 28-29. Miami will return home to host the Best Western Invitational Sept. 4-5, as the Red and White welcome Evansville, Kansas City and Purdue Fort Wayne.
2026 MAC Volleyball Preseason Coaches' Poll
First Place Votes in ()
1. Toledo – 92 pts. (7)
7. Akron – 41 pts.
8. Buffalo – 35 pts.
9. Eastern Michigan – 31 pts.
10. Central Michigan – 21 pts.
11. Kent State – 15 pts.
Tournament Champion: Toledo (6), Ball State (5)
2026 Preseason All-MAC Team (alphabetical by school)
Delaney Gash, Outside Hitter, Akron
Lyndi Wolf, Middle Blocker, Akron
Gwen Crull, Middle Blocker, Ball State
Sophie Ledbetter, Libero, Ball State
Camryn Wise, Middle Blocker, Ball State
Avery Hobson, Outside Hitter, Bowling Green
Molly Creech, Outside Hitter, Miami
Bailey Blair, Middle Blocker, Ohio
Emily Waddell, Middle Blocker, Ohio
Jessica Costloe, Outside Hitter, Toledo
Grace Freiberger, Libero, Toledo
Olivia Heitkamo, Outside Hitter, Toledo
Sierra Pertzborn, Middle Blocker, Toledo
Leah Richmond, Setter, Western Michigan
Miami returns nine players from 2025, highlighted by Molly Creech, who was picked Preseason All-MAC. The RedHawks open the 2026 season by traveling to Huntsville, Texas for the Bearkat Invitational Aug. 28-29. Miami will return home to host the Best Western Invitational Sept. 4-5, as the Red and White welcome Evansville, Kansas City and Purdue Fort Wayne.
2026 MAC Volleyball Preseason Coaches' Poll
First Place Votes in ()
1. Toledo – 92 pts. (7)
2. Ball State – 91 pts. (3)
3. Western Michigan – 78 pts.
T-4. Bowling Green – 71 pts.
T-4. Ohio – 71 pts. (1)
6. Miami – 59 pts. 7. Akron – 41 pts.
8. Buffalo – 35 pts.
9. Eastern Michigan – 31 pts.
10. Central Michigan – 21 pts.
11. Kent State – 15 pts.
Tournament Champion: Toledo (6), Ball State (5)
2026 Preseason All-MAC Team (alphabetical by school)
Delaney Gash, Outside Hitter, Akron
Lyndi Wolf, Middle Blocker, Akron
Gwen Crull, Middle Blocker, Ball State
Sophie Ledbetter, Libero, Ball State
Camryn Wise, Middle Blocker, Ball State
Avery Hobson, Outside Hitter, Bowling Green
Molly Creech, Outside Hitter, Miami
Bailey Blair, Middle Blocker, Ohio
Emily Waddell, Middle Blocker, Ohio
Jessica Costloe, Outside Hitter, Toledo
Grace Freiberger, Libero, Toledo
Olivia Heitkamo, Outside Hitter, Toledo
Sierra Pertzborn, Middle Blocker, Toledo
Leah Richmond, Setter, Western Michigan
Players Mentioned
Outside Hitter
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