UIS was selected ninth in the 2026 Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) women's volleyball preseason coaches' poll, presented by Primo Designs, the conference office announced Thursday.

UIS received 71 points in the poll, which was selected by the league's head coaches. Per GLVC bylaws, coaches are not permitted to vote for their own team.

The Prairie Stars return much of their core from last season, including All-GLVC selection Makenna Cox. UIS went 12-14 overall and 4-9 in conference play in 2025 and will look to make a push for one of the eight spots in the GLVC Tournament.

Laura Ulrich enters her second season as the Prairie Stars' head coach. UIS also welcomes three newcomers to the roster as it begins the 2026 campaign.

Missouri-St. Louis was selected as the preseason favorite, receiving 11 first-place votes and 166 points. Rockhurst followed with 153 points and two first-place votes, while Indianapolis was third with 145 points and one first-place vote. 

UIS opens the 2026 season Friday at the Ferris State Invitational in Big Rapids, Mich. The Prairie Stars face Emporia State at 8:00 a.m. CT and Ferris State at 2:30 p.m. CT on Friday before concluding the tournament Saturday against MSU-Denver at 8:00 a.m. CT and Purdue Northwest at 2:30 p.m. CT.

GLVC Release