Let’s address the elephant in the gym: the AVCA hasn’t released its official 2026 Division I Preseason Coaches Poll just yet. That drops later this month. But that hasn’t stopped the volleyball world from buzzing about Marquette. The Golden Eagles closed 2025 ranked No. 22 in the nation with a 27-6 record and a BIG EAST regular-season title. That kind of finish doesn’t just fade away - it builds momentum. And right now, every conversation about preseason contenders includes Marquette in the mix.
Here’s what we know for sure: Marquette isn’t just knocking on the Top 25 door - they’re kicking it off the hinges. With every starter returning from a squad that made the NCAA Tournament, the chatter is loud, justified, and backed by a schedule that screams "prove it." The AVCA poll may not be official yet, but the votes are trending in one direction, and it’s Marquette’s.
📊 [No. 22 final AVCA ranking in 2025] - Marquette's stunning 27-6 finish has the volleyball world expecting even bigger things in 2026.
Why Marquette Is a Lock for Preseason Recognition
The BIG EAST Unanimous Pick - and Then Some
On August 5, 2026, the BIG EAST coaches sent a message: all 11 of them picked Marquette to win the conference. Unanimous. That kind of consensus doesn’t happen by accident. The Golden Eagles are the class of the league, and the rest of the conference knows it. Leading the charge is senior outside hitter Aubrey Hamilton, the BIG EAST Preseason Player of the Year. She was an AVCA All-America Honorable Mention in 2025 - and she’s hungry for more.
But this isn’t a one-woman show. Setter Yadhira Anchante (BIG EAST Setter of the Year) and libero Sam Nissley (BIG EAST Libero of the Year) both return. That’s the entire spine of the team - setter, hitter, and defensive anchor - all back and all battle-tested. This isn’t just a talented roster; it’s a mature, cohesive unit that has already proven it can win at a high level.
| Player | Position | 2025 Accolades | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aubrey Hamilton | Outside Hitter | AVCA All-America Honorable Mention | Preseason BIG EAST POY |
| Yadhira Anchante | Setter | BIG EAST Setter of the Year | Offensive captain |
| Sam Nissley | Libero | BIG EAST Libero of the Year | Defensive anchor |
The Returners Make This a Different Animal
Here’s the stat that should scare every opponent: Marquette returns all six starters from their 2025 NCAA Tournament squad. Not five of six. Not four. All six. In today’s transfer-portal era, that kind of continuity is almost unheard of. It means the chemistry is already built, the system is already installed, and the trust is already earned.
Think about what that does for a team’s confidence. There’s no "learning curve" excuse in September. No "we’re still figuring things out" press conferences. This is a team that knows exactly who they are - and they believe they belong in the national conversation. When the AVCA poll finally drops, you can bet Marquette’s name will be on that ballot. The only question is how high.
📊 [All six starters returning in 2026] - In the transfer-portal era, that kind of continuity is almost unheard of and gives Marquette an instant edge.
A Schedule That Screams "National Contender"
Preseason votes aren’t just about last year’s résumé - they’re about what you’re about to do. Marquette’s 2026 non-conference slate is an absolute gauntlet, and it’s clearly designed to boost their national profile. Starting August 28 at the Texas A&M Invitational, they’ll face the Aggies, LSU, and Oklahoma. That’s three Power-Four programs in one weekend. No easing into the season. No tune-up matches. Just straight into the fire.
Then comes September 4-6, when Marquette hosts their own invitational featuring Stanford (a preseason top-13 team in 2025), Creighton, and Illinois. That’s a brutal home stretch that will be nationally televised and heavily scouted. And just to cap it off, they travel to Madison for the Wisconsin Volleyball Classic on September 11-12, where they’ll face No. 3 Wisconsin and No. 8 Minnesota. This is not a schedule built for padding wins. It’s built for proving you belong among the elite.
