Park University Leads 2026 Heart Men’s Volleyball Preseason Coaches’ Poll
Presented by Box Out Sports
Park University has been selected as the preseason favorite in the 2026 Box Out Sports Heart of America Athletic Conference Men's Volleyball Preseason Coaches' Poll, earning 182 points and eight first-place votes. The Pirates enter the season with national momentum, currently ranked No. 9 in the NAIA Men's Volleyball Preseason Poll.
|
Park |
182 (8 First Place Votes) |
|
Missouri Valley |
176 (3 First Place Votes) |
|
Missouri Baptist |
165 (1 First Place Vote) |
|
Mount Mercy |
159 |
|
Grand View |
138 (2 First Place Votes) |
|
William Penn |
137 |
|
Dordt |
95 |
|
Morningside |
93 |
|
Ottawa |
91 |
|
UHSP |
86 |
|
Culver-Stockton |
46 |
|
Clarke |
43 |
|
Kansas Wesleyan |
31 |
|
Graceland |
28 |
Park Builds on Strong 2025 Campaign
Park is coming off a solid 2025 season that saw the Pirates finish 20–7 overall and earn an at-large bid to the NAIA Men's Volleyball National Championship—marking the program's 24th national tournament appearance. Park went 1–1 in pool play at the national tournament, with their run ending just short of advancement.
In Heart postseason play, the Pirates reached the conference tournament quarterfinals before falling to eventual Heart Tournament Champion Grand View, highlighting the depth and competitiveness within the league.
Heart Conference Positioned for Another Competitive Season
The Heart of America Athletic Conference continues to establish itself as one of the NAIA's toughest men's volleyball conferences. In the 2025 NAIA Men's Volleyball National Tournament, the Heart sent five teams to the field—Grand View (conference tournament champion), Missouri Valley (regular-season champion), Mount Mercy (host bid), Park (at-large bid), and Missouri Baptist (at-large bid).
With multiple nationally tested programs and a demanding conference slate ahead, the 2026 season is shaping up to feature tight conference races, postseason implications, and high-level competition across the Heart.