The Trailblazers' women's volleyball team has been picked seventh in the Big Sky preseason coaches' poll, revealed on August 19, 2026. This ranking reflects a competitive landscape where the Trailblazers received one first-place vote. Northern Colorado topped the poll with 88 points, followed closely by Northern Arizona at 85 points. To prepare for the season, the Trailblazers will face No. 24 BYU in a final exhibition before starting their regular season at the Utah Valley Invitational on August 28-29.

By the Numbers
  • Northern Colorado - 88 points (4 first-place votes)
  • Utah Tech - 57 points (1 first-place vote)
State of Play
  • The Trailblazers are positioned in a competitive conference where several teams received votes for the top spot.
  • Redshirt senior Hanah Stoddard from Northern Arizona was named Preseason MVP, indicating strong individual competitors in the league.
What's Next

The Trailblazers look to improve upon their preseason ranking, starting with their exhibition match against BYU before entering a highly anticipated regular season. Their performance in these early matches could shift perceptions heading into conference play.

Bottom Line

As they prepare for the season, the Trailblazers must leverage their strengths and build momentum to exceed expectations and challenge the projections set by coaches in the Big Sky poll.