Four Heart Teams Selected for 2026 NAIA Men’s Volleyball National Championship
OVERLAND PARK, KAN. – The NAIA has officially announced the field for the 2026 NAIA Men's Volleyball National Championship, with four programs from the Heart of America Athletic Conference earning bids to the national tournament. Park University, Missouri Valley College, Mount Mercy University, and William Penn University will represent the Heart at the final site, April 28–May 2, at the Alliant Energy PowerHouse in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
The 12-team field features eight automatic bids, three at-large selections, and one host berth. The national championship begins with three days of pool play (April 28–30), followed by the semifinals on May 1 and the championship match on May 2.
Park University leads the Heart qualifiers as the No. 1 overall seed after completing a perfect 31-0 season and capturing both the Heart regular-season and conference tournament titles. Missouri Valley College earned an automatic berth as the conference tournament runner-up, while Mount Mercy University (host berth) and William Penn University secured spots in the field as well.
All matches of the 2026 NAIA Men's Volleyball National Championship will be broadcast free on the Urban Edge Network (NAIA Channel) and NAIA Network.
Heart of America Qualifiers
Park University – No. 1 Seed (Automatic Bid)
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Record: 31-0 (19-0 Heart)
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NAIA Appearances: 6 (Last: 2025)
Missouri Valley College – No. 4 Seed (Automatic Bid)
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Record: 23-5 (15-4 Heart)
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NAIA Appearances: 3 (Last: 2025)
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Record: 22-4 (16-3 Heart)
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NAIA Appearances: 3 (Last: 2025)
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Record: 18-7 (14-5 Heart)
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NAIA Appearances: 3 (Last: 2024)
Pool Play Breakdown
Pool A
|
Seed |
Team |
|
#1 |
Park University (Mo.) |
|
#8 |
Ottawa University Arizona |
|
#9 |
Westcliff University (Calif.) |
Pool B
|
Seed |
Team |
|
#2 |
The Master's University (Calif.) |
|
#7 |
St. Thomas University (Fla.) |
|
#10 |
William Penn University (Iowa) |
Pool C
|
Seed |
Team |
|
#3 |
Saint Xavier University (Ill.) |
|
#6 |
Mount Mercy University (Iowa) |
|
#11 |
Bethel University (Ind.) |
Pool D
|
Seed |
Team |
|
#4 |
Missouri Valley College (Mo.) |
|
#5 |
Campbellsville University (Ky.) |
|
#12 |
Indiana Tech University (Ind.) |
Championship Information
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Event: 7th Annual NAIA Men's Volleyball National Championship
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Dates: April 28 – May 2, 2026
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Location: Alliant Energy PowerHouse – Cedar Rapids, Iowa