NEW YORK | After capturing its fourth consecutive Skyline Conference Women's Volleyball Championship, Manhattanville University has been selected as the favorite to repeat in 2026, topping the Skyline Conference Women's Volleyball Preseason Coaches' Poll with 116 points and nine first-place votes. 

The Valiants continued their Skyline dynasty in 2025, sweeping St. Joseph's-Long Island (25-7, 25-17, 25-14) in the Skyline Championship match to secure the program's fourth straight conference title and an automatic berth to the NCAA Division III Women's Volleyball Championship. Loren Hernandez was named the Tournament's Most Outstanding Player after helping Manhattanville finish the season 21-7 overall and a perfect 12-0 in Skyline play.

United States Merchant Marine Academy, the 2025 regular-season runner-up, was selected second with 107 points and three first-place votes after another outstanding campaign. Farmingdale State earned the No. 3 spot with 102 points, while St. Joseph's-Long Island, last season's championship runner-up, checked in fourth with 97 points.

Sarah Lawrence was picked fifth with 79 points, followed by Mount Saint Mary (69), St. Joseph's-Brooklyn (58), Mount Saint Vincent (54), Maritime (47), Old Westbury (30), Purchase (23), and Yeshiva (10).

The 2026 Skyline Conference Women's Volleyball Championship will begin with first-round matches November 10.

Women’s Volleyball Preseason Poll
Rank, School, Points (First-place votes)
1. Manhattanville, 116 (9)    
2. Merchant Marine, 107 (3)    
3. Farmingdale State, 102    
4. St. Joseph's-Long Island, 97    
5. Sarah Lawrence, 79    
6. Mount Saint Mary, 69    
7. St. Joseph's-Brooklyn, 58    
8. Mount Saint Vincent, 54    
9. Maritime, 47    
10. Old Westbury, 30    
11. Purchase, 23    
12. Yeshiva, 10