The Daemen University women's volleyball team has been ranked third in the 2026 East Coast Conference Preseason Coaches Poll, as announced on Wednesday. The reigning champions, Mercy University Mavericks, secured the top spot with 49 points, receiving all first-place votes. With 37 points, Daemen closely trails Molloy University, which garnered 38 points. Last season, under first-year coach Kaysie Shebeneck, the Wildcats held a record of 12-14 overall and qualified for the ECC Tournament for the seventh consecutive year. The 2026 roster includes 10 returning players and several impactful newcomers.

By the Numbers
  • Daemen Women's Volleyball ranked third with 37 points in the ECC preseason poll.
  • Mercy University topped the poll with 49 points, receiving all seven first-place votes.
State of Play
  • Daemen aims to improve on their 2025 season record of 12-14 overall and 8-4 in ECC play.
  • The team will kick off the 2026 season with three road tournaments, beginning with the Tony Banner Memorial Tournament.
What's Next

The Wildcats will open their season with a series of matches at the Tony Banner Memorial Tournament from August 28-29, before commencing ECC play on October 3 against St. Thomas Aquinas.

Bottom Line

Daemen's strong preseason ranking reflects its competitive spirit and potential, but the team must capitalize on returning talent and new additions to elevate their performance in the upcoming ECC season.