Forest, Va. -- The University of Lynchburg women's volleyball team earned its highest placing in program history in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference preseason poll, voted on by the league's head coaches prior to the start of the season. 

The Hornets were selected as the second-best team in the conference ahead of the 2026 campaign, trailing just Washington and Lee. The Generals landed atop the poll with 143 points and 11 first-place votes. Lynchburg nipped Batten for the No. 2 spot with 126 points and two first-place nods. The Marlins were given 124 points for third place, while Bridgewater landed at fourth with 116 points and Randolph-Macon rounded out the top five with 89 points.

On Thursday of this week, the Hornets were recognized nationally by receiving votes in the AVCA national preseason rankings. Last season, Lynchburg cracked into the top 25 of the national rankings twice throughout the season, once in week nine and on another occasion in week 11.

The 2025 journey was historic for the Lynchburg women's volleyball program as it set the record for conference victories in a single season and tied the program record for the most triumphs in one year. The Hornets return a majority of the offensive production from last season, including AVCA All-Region honorable mention Kate Hardie along with All-ODAC performers Ava Meinhardt, Leah DiNardo, Tori Williamson, and Alexis Scipione. Lynchburg also welcomes 11 newcomers to the squad, nine freshman and two transfers.

The Hornets will open up the season on the road against regional foe Southern Virginia in Buena Vista, Va. on September 1 at 6 p.m. To view the complete 2026 Lynchburg women's volleyball schedule, click here.

2026 ODAC WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL PRESEASON POLL
1. Washington and Lee University (11) -- 143 pts.
2. University of Lynchburg (2) -- 126 pts.
3. Batten University -- 124 pts.
4. Bridgewater College -- 116 pts.
5. Randolph-Macon College -- 89 pts.
6. Shenandoah University -- 86 pts.
7. Roanoke College -- 83 pts.
8. Guilford College -- 72 pts.
9. Randolph College -- 52 pts.
10. EMU -- 46 pts.
11. Averett University -- 38 pts.
12. Hollins University -- 27 pts.
13. Sweet Briar College -- 12 pts.

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