Northwestern women鈥檚 volleyball team has achieved a historic milestone by being ranked No. 1 in the NAIA Preseason Coaches' Poll, a first for the program. This comes on the heels of a highly successful previous season, where they claimed the GPAC title and reached the national championship match. The team has not held the No. 1 position since November 2024 and dominated last season with a flawless conference record. Key players returning include Stella Winterfeld, the 2025 GPAC Player of the Year, and Zavyr Metzger, the NAIA Defender of the Year. With several all-conference selections and a strong depth chart, they look poised for continued success this season.

By the Numbers
  • Northwestern completed last season with a 16-0 record in GPAC play.
  • The team has been ranked in 69 consecutive NAIA top 25 polls since 2016, the second-longest streak in the nation.
State of Play
  • Northwestern's lineup returns key players, including eight rotation members from last season.
  • They are joined in the top 25 by GPAC rivals Concordia (No. 3), Dakota Wesleyan (No. 16), and Midland (No. 20).
What's Next

The Red Raiders will aim to defend their title and improve on last year's performance as they kick off the season. Upcoming matchups will test their depth and teamwork, particularly against ranked GPAC opponents.

Bottom Line

Northwestern鈥檚 emergence as preseason No. 1 underscores their strong program development and the depth of talent, potentially setting the stage for another championship run. This pivotal moment can energize not just the team but also the entire athletics community.