BRENTWOOD, Tenn. - Morehead State has been picked as the preseason favorite to claim the 2026 OVC Volleyball title in a vote of the league’s head coaches and communication directors.
 
The Eagles, who earned nine first place votes and 116 points, is led by returning All-OVC seletions Hollan Everett, Amelia Nott and Sydney Sennett. Southeast Missouri is picked to finish second with three first place votes and 102 points, just ahead of Southern Indiana who earned three first place votes and 99 points.

SEMO returns All-OVC selections Lucy Arndy and Marin Johnson, while USI sports the reigning Freshman of the Year, Aysa Thomas, and All-OVC member Ashby Willis.

Defending OVC regular season and tournament  champions, Eastern Illinois, brings back honorees Katie Kopshever and Ariadna Pereles. The Panthers received the final three first place votes and 98 points for fourth.

Lindenwood, with All-OVC returner Autumn Bax, was selected fifth with 77 points and was followed by SIUE (63), UT Martin (37), Western Illinois (34) and Tennessee State with 13 points.

2026 OVC Volleyball Predicted Order of Finish
1. Morehead State (9) - 116
2. Southeast Missouri (3) - 102
3. Southern Indiana (3) - 99
4. Eastern Illinois (3) - 98
5. Lindenwood - 77
6. SIUE - 63
7. UT Martin - 37
8. Western Illinois – 34
9. Tennessee State – 13
 
2026 OVC Volleyball Returning All-OVC
OPP - Katie Kopshever, Jr. - Eastern Illinois
L - Ariadna Pereles, Jr. - Eastern Illinois
RS - Autumn Bax, Jr.- Lindenwood
OH - Hollan Everett, Sr. - Morehead State
MB - Amelia Nott, Sr. - Morehead State
S - Sydney Sennett, Sr. - Morehead State
OH - Lucy Arndt, Sr. - Southeast Missouri
OH - Marin Johnson, Jr. - Southeast Missouri
S - Aysa Thomas, So. - Southern Indiana
OH - Ashby Willis, Sr. - Southern Indiana

2026 OVC Volleyball Watch List
Hannah Hawkins, Sr., S – Eastern Illinois
Jorah Rutter, So., OPP – Eastern Illinois
Ashley Geluck, Sr., MH - Lindenwood
Dana Grib, Sr., L – Lindenwood
Courtney Fitzgerald, Sr., DS – Morehead State
Ella Warrick, Fr., OH – Morehead State
Reagan Nelson, So., OH – Southeast Missouri
Katy St. John, So., RS – Southeast Missouri
Sophie Robinson, Jr., OH – SIUE
Vienna Elliott, Sr., MB – SIUE
Audrey Small, Jr., L – Southern Indiana
Carley Wright, So., RS – Southern Indiana
Brie Blevins, Jr., MB – Tennessee State
Triniti Jackson, Fr., S – Tennessee State
Chyler Martin, So., OH/OPP – UT Martin
Luli Arcucci, Jr., MB/OPP – UT Martin
Kennedy Adair, Sr., OH – Western Illinois
Georgia Haynes, RS-Fr., RS – Western Illinois