The defending MIVA champions are the preseason favorites to do it again.
Loyola received the majority of first-plates to finish atop the MIVA Preseason Poll that the conference released on Monday.
The Ramblers ended last season winning their first conference championship in 10 years and advanced to the NCAA Tournament quarterfinals. Among the starters returning for Loyola includes Second-Team All-American outside attacker Daniel Fabikovic and setter Ryan McElligott, who were both named to the Preseason All-MIVA Team.
Loyola garnered five first-place votes and finished with 73 points – five more points than second-place Ohio State.
Ohio State and Loyola were two of the four teams to receive first-place votes. Ball State and Lewis each earned a first-place vote and rounded out the top half of the preseason poll.
Ball State outside attacker Patrick Rogers also was named the MIVA Preseason Player of the Year.
Rogers was among the conference leaders with 3.43 kills per game average last season. In addition, the pin-hitter in the offseason helped the United States win a gold medal at the NORCECA Final Six and was named the tournament’s most outstanding player.
The MIVA season will begin in February and conclude with the conference tournament in April. The winner of the MIVA Tournament will receive an automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament.
2026 MIVA Preseason Poll
1. Loyola – 73 (5) points
2. Ohio State – 68 (2) points
3. Ball State – 63 (1) points
4. Lewis – 57 (1) points
5. McKendree – 52 points
6. Lindenwood – 33 points
7. Purdue Fort Wayne – 24 points
8. Northern Kentucky – 19 points
9. Queens – 16 points
2026 Preseason All-MIVA Team
Setter: Nate Flayter, McKendree
Setter: Lucas Machado, Ball State
Setter: Ryan McElligott, Loyola
Opposite: Logan Muir, Purdue Fort Wayne
Opposite: Oguzhan Oguz, Lewis
Opposite: Aleksander Sosa, Loyola
Opposite: Shane Wetzel, Ohio State
Outside attacker: Stanislaw Chacinski, Ohio State
Outside attacker: Daniel Fabikovic, Loyola
Outside attacker: Patrick Rogers, Ball State
Libero: Yadiel Diaz, McKendree
Libero: Nico Paula, Lewis