The Southwest Minnesota State volleyball team has been ranked fourth in the NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll for the 2026 season. Concordia St. Paul topped the poll with 220 points, followed by Wayne State and St. Cloud State at second and third. SMSU garnered 177 points, placing them ahead of Sioux Falls. The Mustangs return 11 letter winners from their previous season, including standout player Leah Jones, who was recognized as a key player to watch this season.

By the Numbers
  • Concordia St. Paul: 220 points, 11 first-place votes
  • Wayne State: 207 points, 3 first-place votes
  • SMSU: 177 points, 4th place in the poll
  • Leah Jones: 401 kills, averaging 3.89 kills per set in 2025
State of Play
  • SMSU begins the season at the West Florida Invitational on August 28.
  • The first NSIC match is scheduled for September 11 against Concordia-St. Paul.
  • Returning players form a strong mix with seasoned and new talent.
What's Next

As the Mustangs prepare for their opening match, they will look to leverage their returning experience and new talent to compete strongly in NSIC play, with a potential focus on moving up from their current fourth-place ranking.

Bottom Line

The SMSU volleyball team is positioned for a competitive season with experienced players like Leah Jones leading the way, but they must harness their collective potential to improve on last year's performance and challenge for the top spots in the conference.