KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Pittsburg State University volleyball team was tabbed to finish seventh in the 2026 MIAA Coaches Poll Monday (Aug. 24).

Pittsburg State received 81 points in the poll after going 14-15 overall and 6-10 in MIAA play last fall. The Gorillas qualified for the MIAA Tournament and claimed a win in postseason action for the first time under head coach Megan Besecker in her inaugural season leading the program. 10 returners, led by seniors Maliyah Johnson, Kassidy Nixon, Vix Vilott and Jesa Wallace alongside redshirt junior Maddi LaPointen are supplemented by 12 newcomers to round out the 2026 squad.

Washburn, the No. 8 team in the AVCA Preseason Poll (Aug. 17) received the most first-place votes with five but was tied with preseason nationally ranked No. 7 Nebraska - Kearney (4 first-place votes) with 134 points atop the preseason poll. Missouri Western received two first-place votes and 123 points to secure third in the poll, with the Griffons opening the season ranked No. 16 nationally. Emporia State claimed the final two first-place votes and secured 107 points to narrowly edge out Central Oklahoma (104pts) for fourth, ESU received votes in the initial AVCA poll while the Bronchos were tabbed 12th. Central Missouri with 90 points rounded out the top-six in the MIAA Preseason Poll and was the final MIAA team to be featured in the AVCA Preseason Poll where they received votes.

Pitt State will start the season down in St. Petersburg, Fla., in the Eckerd Classic (Aug. 27-29) before hosting the Gorilla Classic (Sept. 2-4) at John Lance Arena.