PSAC announces 2026 women's volleyball preseason polls
8/13/2026 2:34:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
LOCK HAVEN, Pa. - The women's volleyball coaches of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) released their annual preseason polls Thursday, kicking off the start of the 2026 season.
The Marauders enter the 2026 season under familiar leadership, with Brian Smith beginning his 17th season as head coach. Following a challenging season with a young roster, the Marauders return with valuable experience. The team returns a talented group of players, led by seniors Becca Hartranft and Sam White.
Hartranft, who wore the libero jersey for most of the season, led the defensive effort with 394 digs and added 85.5 points. On the offensive side, White led the Marauders with a .244 hitting percentage and recorded 155 kills. She also contributed defensively, leading the team with 61.0 blocks while adding 36 digs. Other notable returners include sophomore Amanda Protzman, who appeared in 93 sets across 28 matches and recorded 19 service aces; sophomore Trinity Baldwin, who led the team with 468 assists; and senior Alex Nava, who contributed 174 kills.
Shippensburg earned the top spot in the PSAC East preseason poll, followed by Shepherd and East Stroudsburg. Kutztown was picked fourth, with West Chester, Lock Haven, Bloomsburg and Millersville rounding out the division. In the West, Gannon claimed the top spot, followed by IUP, Pitt-Johnstown, Clarion, California, Seton Hill, Edinboro and Slippery Rock.
2026 PSAC Women's Volleyball Preseason Polls (# of first-place votes in parentheses)
Eastern Division
1. Shippensburg (5)
2. Shepherd (2)
3. East Stroudsburg (1)
4. Kutztown
5. West Chester
6. Lock Haven
7. Bloomsburg
8. Millersville
Western Division
1. Gannon (7)
2. IUP (1)
3. Pitt-Johnstown
4. Clarion
5. California
6. Seton Hill
7. Edinboro
8. Slippery Rock
The Marauders enter the 2026 season under familiar leadership, with Brian Smith beginning his 17th season as head coach. Following a challenging season with a young roster, the Marauders return with valuable experience. The team returns a talented group of players, led by seniors Becca Hartranft and Sam White.
Hartranft, who wore the libero jersey for most of the season, led the defensive effort with 394 digs and added 85.5 points. On the offensive side, White led the Marauders with a .244 hitting percentage and recorded 155 kills. She also contributed defensively, leading the team with 61.0 blocks while adding 36 digs. Other notable returners include sophomore Amanda Protzman, who appeared in 93 sets across 28 matches and recorded 19 service aces; sophomore Trinity Baldwin, who led the team with 468 assists; and senior Alex Nava, who contributed 174 kills.
Shippensburg earned the top spot in the PSAC East preseason poll, followed by Shepherd and East Stroudsburg. Kutztown was picked fourth, with West Chester, Lock Haven, Bloomsburg and Millersville rounding out the division. In the West, Gannon claimed the top spot, followed by IUP, Pitt-Johnstown, Clarion, California, Seton Hill, Edinboro and Slippery Rock.
2026 PSAC Women's Volleyball Preseason Polls (# of first-place votes in parentheses)
Eastern Division
1. Shippensburg (5)
2. Shepherd (2)
3. East Stroudsburg (1)
4. Kutztown
5. West Chester
6. Lock Haven
7. Bloomsburg
8. Millersville
Western Division
1. Gannon (7)
2. IUP (1)
3. Pitt-Johnstown
4. Clarion
5. California
6. Seton Hill
7. Edinboro
8. Slippery Rock
Players Mentioned
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