After a season in 2025 that saw successes but wasn't up to its usual standard, the Hillsdale College volleyball team is aiming to take a big step forward in 2026.

It's not just the Chargers who are expecting major improvements this season, as the G-MAC coaches tabbed Hillsdale as the favorite to win the North Division over defending champion Findlay in the conference's preseason coaches poll on Tuesday afternoon.

The Chargers received seven first place votes to Findlay's six to edge out the Oilers for first place in the poll. Northwood was tabbed to finish third, with Tiffin in fourth. Defending G-MAC East Division Champion Walsh was picked to repeat in that division in a tight race with Ashland, while 2025 G-MAC Regular Season Champion Cedarville edged out G-MAC Tourney Champion Ohio Dominican for first place in the South Division. You can find the full poll below.

Hillsdale enters the 2026 campaign off a 2025 season that saw the Chargers overcome injuries and a shaky start to finish with a winning record and reach the G-MAC Tournament semifinal round. Still, Hillsdale's 14 victories were the Chargers' fewest since the 2014 season, and Hillsdale is hoping that a large group of returners from a young squad last year, along with better health, will propel the Chargers back up the standings in the G-MAC.

Up front, Hillsdale must replace All-G-MAC middle hitter Adi Sysum but returns its next three top players in points per set, a dynamic group of juniors that includes outside hitters Ellie Fles and Caroline Lanicek and talented middle hitter Jenna Southland, who finished in the top 10 in the G-MAC in blocks per set in 2025. Fles in particular missed significant time with injuries in the first month of the 2025 season and could be in line for a breakout campaign with better health in 2026.

Hannah Baker also saw significant time up front for the Chargers in 2025, while two more players who were affected by injuries last season -- sophomore Taylor Cook and senior Marcelina Gorny -- could play a bigger role with better health as well. Senior Molly Kennedy also could factor into the middle hitter rotation after playing a bigger role last year, as could sophomore Maddie Krappmann on the outside.

In the back row, Hillsdale got a big boost when the team's libero and digs leader in 2025, Chloe Pierce, chose to return for a fifth season. Pierce will provide veteran leadership, solid play and strong serving, but she'll be pushed by junior Ella Byrum, back and healthy from an injury that cut her promising sophomore season short, and sophomore Madison Peal, who got significant playing time in 2025 as well.

Hillsdale has been running a 6-2 system the last two seasons, and must replace one of their two setters from 2025 in Josie TeSlaa, but the Chargers have a strong option returning in versatile sophomore Grace Drake, who recorded two triple-doubles as a freshman and proved equally adept as a setter and as a dangerous hitter in the front row. She's joined by two freshmen setters, 6-foot-2 Ivy Rex and local prospect Elizabeth Andaloro, who've shown real promise in the fall and will look to carve out a meaningful early role.

Rex and Andaloro are part of a talented freshman class who should make an immediate impact on the Chargers. Ella Vandermark, Addy Nutley, Madison Geer and Taylor Brownsword are all accomplished prep players up front who will look to break through and into significant playing time early. 

Hillsdale opens the 2026-27 campaign 10 days from now in Detroit, as the Chargers head for the Wayne State Warrior Invite, and will take on Indiana (PA) and host Wayne State in two matches to begin the season on August 28. The Chargers' first home match will be on Sept. 15 against in-state and division rival Northwood in a rare Tuesday match at 7 p.m.

You can find the full schedule for Hillsdale College here.


2026 Volleyball Coaches Preseason Poll
East Division
1. Walsh- 44 points (8 first place votes)
2. Ashland- 43 points (5 first place votes)
3. Lake Erie- 18 points
4. Malone- 14 points
5. Ursuline- 13 points

North Division
1. Hillsdale- 31 points (7 first place votes)
2. Findlay- 28 points (6 first place votes)
3. Northwood- 14 points
4. Tiffin- 13 points

South Division
1. Cedarville- 34 points (10 first place votes)
2. Ohio Dominican- 27 points (3 first place votes)
3. Thomas More- 16 points
4. Kentucky Wesleyan- 13 points