(WIAC) MADISON, Wis.–The Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) has announced its preview and predictions for the 2026 women’s volleyball season. The predictions were voted on by the conference’s head coaches and sports information directors.
UW-Oshkosh, the defending NCAA Division III champion, is projected to secure its fourth straight regular-season title. Last year’s national title was the first in program history and fourth claimed by a WIAC team. A season ago, the conference sent at least three teams to the NCAA Division III tournament for the sixth consecutive year.
UW-Oshkosh is followed in the WIAC predictions by: UW-Eau Claire; UW-Whitewater; UW-Platteville; UW-Stevens Point; UW-La Crosse; UW-Stout Polytechnic and UW-River Falls.
WIAC teams will begin their non-conference schedules on Sept. 1, while the conference slate will start on Sept. 23. The top-six teams in the conference standings will qualify for the WIAC Tournament (presented by Culver’s). The event will be held Nov. 10, 12 and 14, with all matches hosted by the higher-seeded team. The winner of the tournament will receive an automatic NCAA bid.
2026 Preseason Predictions–Voted on by WIAC Head Coaches and Sports Information Directors
2025 Record
- UW-Oshkosh (34-3 overall, 7-0 WIAC)
- UW-Eau Claire (30-5, 6-1)
- UW-Whitewater (26-8, 3-4)
- UW-Platteville (18-12, 4-3)
- UW-Stevens Point (16-16, 3-4)
- UW-La Crosse (21-12, 2-5)
- UW-Stout Polytechnic (17-9, 2-5)
- UW-River Falls (15-15, 1-6)
Team Capsules
UW-Eau Claire
Head Coach: Kim Wudi; 19th season at UWEC; 430-184
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 16/6
Starters Returning/Lost: 4/3
Returning All-WIAC: Mya Cinnamo, Sr., OH (2024-Honorable, 2025-Honorable); Kaitlyn Erickson, Jr., L (2024-Newcomer of the Year, 2025-Defensive/Defensive Player of the Year); Alex Kiebel, So., S (2025-First/Newcomer of the Year)
Notable Returning Players: Norah Erickson, Sr., OH; Lili Hagg, Sr., MB; Rachel Johnson, So., OH; Hannah Thole, Jr., S
UW-La Crosse
Head Coach: Deb Sazama; 7th season (4th at UWL); 94-92 (overall) / 43-51 (UWL)
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 12/5
Starters Returning/Lost: 4/3
Returning All-WIAC: Maddy Wilson, So., MB (2025-Honorable)
Notable Returning Players: Megan Lund, Jr., S; Grace Nommensen, Sr., OH; Grace Turlais, Jr., OPP; Annie Werner, Jr., MH
UW-Oshkosh
Head Coach: Jon Ellmann; 9th season at UWO; 208-69
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 14/7
Starters Returning/Lost: 6/1
Returning All-WIAC: Lauren Grier, Sr., MB (2025-First); Grace Juergens, Sr., PIN (2025-First); Callie Panasuk, So., L (2025-Defensive); Samantha Perlberg, Sr., PIN (2023-First, 2024-First, 2025-First/Offensive Player of the Year)
Notable Returning Players: Riley Borrowman, Jr., MB
UW-Platteville
Head Coach: Samantha Birkicht; 9th season at UWP; 142-103
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 13/5
Starters Returning/Lost: 4/3
Returning All-WIAC: Brooklyn Radecke, Jr., OH (2025-First)
Notable Returning Players: Delali Amankwa, So., S; Abby Bauer, Jr., OH/OPP; Kennedy Wagner, Jr., OH/OPP
UW-River Falls
Head Coach: Dipen Patel; 5th season at UWRF; 69-57
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 11/8
Starters Returning/Lost: 5/2
Returning All-WIAC: Blessing Adebisi, Jr., MB (2025-First); Audrey Petersen, So., DS/L (2025-Honorable/Defensive)
Notable Returning Players: Cora Sayotovich, Jr., S
UW-Stevens Point
Head Coach: Lyndsay Klapper; 8th season at UWSP; 157-80
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 18/3
Starters Returning/Lost: 6/1
Returning All-WIAC: Lauren Shaw, Sr., OH (2025-Honorable); Carly Thomka, Sr., MB (2024-Honorable, 2025-First)
Notable Returning Players: Tessa Erlandson, Sr., DS/L; Abby Nevins, Jr., DS/L; Hannah Strege, So., S; Ella Trieloff, Sr., OH/RS
UW-Stout Polytechnic
Head Coach: Ben Staupe; 8th season (5th at UWST); 75-133 (overall) / 59-45 (UWST)
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 17/7
Starters Returning/Lost: 7/0
Returning All-WIAC: Emma Barton, Sr., MB (2024-Honorable, 2025-Honorable); Brynn Hessel, Sr., MH (2023-Honorable); Brooke McCune, Sr., OH (2024-First, 2025-First)
Notable Returning Players: Kyra Griffin, Sr., OH; Sloan Horgan, Sr., OH; Kailey Klaine, Sr., L; Lainey Todd, Sr., S
UW-Whitewater
Head Coach: Stacy Boudreau; 24th season (21st at UWW); 643-185 (overall) / 573-148 (UWW)
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 14/4
Starters Returning/Lost: 5/2
Returning All-WIAC: Gaby DiMotto, So., OH (2025-Honorable); Abbie Dix, Sr., MH (2024-Honorable, 2025-First); Aubrie Krzus, Sr., S (2023-Honorable/Newcomer of the Year, 2024-First, 2025-First); Natalie Lawton, So., DS (2025-Defensive)
Notable Returning Players: Kylee Altendorf, So., OH; Emily Lego, Sr., RS
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