The race for the inaugural GLVC men’s volleyball championship will be tight – if the preseason poll is an indication.
Rockhurst edged out Maryville by one point to finish atop the GLVC Preseason Poll that the conference released on Tuesday.
The Hawks garnered three first-place votes and 44 points in the rankings determined by the eight GLVC head coaches.
Rockhurst as a first-year program last season finished 19-11 and advanced to the IVA Tournament semifinals. Among the starters returning includes All-IVA opposite Lucas Tran who was in the nation’s 15 with a 3.83 kills per game average in 2025
Despite finishing in second place, Maryville earned one more first-place vote than Rockhurst.
Maryville last season reached the IVA Tournaments and received votes in the Division II National Coaches Poll. The team also went 9-1 against IVA teams en route to having more than 15 wins for the second consecutive season.
Along with Rockhurst and Maryville, Missouri S&T was the only other school to receive a first-place vote. The Miners finished the preseason poll in third place with 38 points.
The GLVC season will begin in March and conclude with the conference tournament in late April.
The GLVC is a multi-sport Division II conference that started sponsoring men’s volleyball this year. The conference will not receive an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, but the GLVC teams will be eligible for an at-large bid.
2026 GLVC Preseason Poll
1. Rockhurst – 44 (3) points
2. Maryville – 43 (4) points
3. Missouri S&T – 38 (1) points
4. Quincy – 34 points
5. Roosevelt – 22 points
6. Jamestown – 18 points
7. Thomas More – 14 points
8. Southwest Baptist – 11 points