The Wheeling University Volleyball team has been named the preseason favorite in the MEC North Division ahead of the 2026 season. With the opening match approaching, the team received six first-place votes from league coaches. The Cardinals aim to bounce back from a disappointing postseason last year, led by returning standout Camryn Matus and veteran Katie Wilking. They will face challenges early in the season, including a trip to Florida for the West Florida Invitational. The Cardinals are primed to leverage their youthful experience in pursuit of their first MEC Tournament home-court advantage since 2019.

By the Numbers
  • Wheeling received 6 first-place votes in the MEC North Division poll.
  • The Cardinals finished 2025 with a .198 hitting percentage, ranking fourth in the conference.
State of Play
  • The Cardinals are coming off a young roster that showed significant improvement throughout last season.
  • Wheeling will face Spring Hill College in their opening match on August 27th.
  • The team's early season also includes a homestand featuring five conference matches.
What's Next

The Cardinals aim to build momentum during their upcoming tournaments and capitalize on their home-court advantage. Their performance in these early matches will be crucial to securing a top position for the MEC Tournament later in the season.

Bottom Line

Wheeling's selection as the MEC North favorite underscores their potential, but maintaining focus and building on last year's experience will be key to their success in 2026.