2026 Men's Volleyball Preseason Poll
WINTHROP, Mass. - Wentworth enters the 2026 campaign looking to capture its fifth consecutive Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Volleyball Championship after being tabbed the preseason favorite. The Leopards collected 62 points, including six first-place votes, in this year’s poll conducted by the league’s eight head coaches.
Lasell followed close behind with 58 points and two first-place votes to secure the second spot. Regis claimed the third position with 40 points, while Emmanuel was just one point behind the Pride at fourth at 39 points. Rivier in fifth place at 35. Emerson and Elms both tied for sixth place, both at 20 points. Dean checked in at eighth with 14 points.
The 2026 GNAC Volleyball season officially begins on Friday, Jan. 9, with non-conference matchups across the region throughout the weekend. Conference play is set to begin on Saturday, Jan. 17, with teams competing in a full single round-robin schedule. The top six programs at the conclusion of the regular season will qualify for the 2026 GNAC Volleyball Championship Tournament. The first round is slated for Tuesday, Apr. 7 with the top two seeds earning byes, followed by semifinals on Thursday, Apr. 9. The championship match will be held on Saturday, Apr. 11, with the winner claiming the GNAC crown and the league’s automatic berth into the 2026 NCAA Division III Volleyball Championship.
2026 Men's Volleyball Preseason Poll
| 1. | Wentworth | 62 (6) |
| 2. | Lasell | 58 (2) |
| 3. | Regis | 40 |
| 4. | Emmanuel | 39 |
| 5. | Rivier | 35 |
| T-6. | Emerson | 20 |
| T-6. | Elms | 20 |
| 8. | Dean | 14 |
ABOUT THE GREAT NORTHEAST ATHLETIC CONFERENCE
The Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) is an NCAA Division III association made up of 14 member institutions and over 4000 student-athletes across the New England region. Founded in 1995, the GNAC annually sponsors and administers 20 championships, while balancing academic integrity, athletic opportunity and community involvement in an effort to enhance the student-athlete experience.
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