Tampa Leads the Way in 2026 SSC Volleyball Preseason Poll
ORLANDO, Fla. – The University of Tampa has been chosen as the preseason favorite to win the 2026 Sunshine State Conference volleyball championship, following a vote of the league’s 11 head coaches.
The Spartans received nine first-place votes and 11 total points to earn the top spot in the poll. Barry was picked second with 19 points and two first-place votes, while Palm Beach Atlantic finished third with 31 points.
Tampa recorded a program-best 32-0 start and advanced to the 2025 NCAA Division II volleyball semifinals after winning the South Region Championship over Barry 3-0. The Spartans return 10 players from last year’s team along with reigning AVCA National Coach of the Year Brian Imperiale.
Lynn was selected fourth with 39 points, followed by Nova Southeastern with 47 points. Eckerd was sixth with 56 points, just ahead of Florida Tech with 57. Embry-Riddle was picked eighth with 73 points, followed by Florida Southern, Rollins and Saint Leo.
Tampa ranks second in the 2026 AVCA-Taraflex NCAA Division II WVB Preseason Poll, released on August 17 and also received 10 first place votes. Barry is number six with a first place vote, Lynn is number 18 with Palm Beach Atlantic and Nova Southeastern receiving votes.
A total of five SSC teams (Tampa, Barry, Lynn, Palm Beach Atlantic and Eckerd) were selected to the 2025 NCAA Division II Volleyball Tournament.
The 2026 volleyball regular season begins on Thursday, August 27.
2026 SSC Volleyball Preseason Coaches’ Poll
| Rank |
School |
Points |
| 1 |
Tampa |
11 (9) |
| 2 |
Barry |
19 (2) |
| 3 |
Palm Beach Atlantic |
31 |
| 4 |
Lynn |
39 |
| 5 |
Nova Southeastern |
47 |
| 6 |
Eckerd |
56 |
| 7 |
Florida Tech |
57 |
| 8 |
Embry-Riddle |
73 |
| 9 |
Florida Southern |
83 |
| 10 |
Rollins |
89 |
| 11 |
Saint Leo |
100 |
Points are based on the coaches’ preseason rankings, with first-place votes noted in parentheses. Coaches are not permitted to vote for their own institution.
Previous SSC Volleyball Polls
| Year |
Predicted
Winner |
Actual
Finish |
Actual
Winner |
Predicted
Finish |
| 2025 |
Lynn |
4th |
Tampa |
2nd |
| 2024 |
Tampa |
T2nd |
Lynn |
2nd |
| 2023 |
Tampa |
1st |
Tampa |
1st |
| 2022 |
Tampa |
1st |
Tampa |
1st |
| 2021 |
Tampa |
1st |
Tampa |
1st |
| 2020 |
No Season Due to COVID-19 |
| 2019 |
Tampa |
2nd |
Lynn |
6th |
| 2018 |
Florida Southern |
4th |
Tampa / Barry |
3rd / 8th |
| 2017 |
Palm Beach Atlantic |
2nd |
Florida Southern |
3rd |
| 2016 |
Florida Southern / Tampa |
3rd / 2nd |
Saint Leo |
3rd |
| 2015 |
Tampa |
1st |
Tampa |
1st |
| 2014 |
Tampa |
1st |
Tampa |
1st |
| 2013 |
Tampa |
1st |
Tampa |
1st |
| 2012 |
Tampa |
1st |
Tampa |
1st |
| 2011 |
Tampa |
1st |
Tampa |
1st |
| 2010 |
Tampa |
1st |
Tampa |
1st |
| 2009 |
Tampa |
1st |
Saint Leo / Tampa |
4th / 1st |
| 2008 |
Florida Southern |
2nd |
Tampa |
2nd |
| 2007 |
Tampa |
1st |
Tampa |
1st |
| 2006 |
Tampa |
1st |
Florida Southern / Tampa |
2nd / 1st |
| 2005 |
Barry |
3rd |
Tampa |
2nd |
| 2004 |
Barry |
1st |
Barry |
1st |
| 2003 |
Barry |
1st |
Barry / Tampa |
1st / 2nd |
| 2002 |
Barry |
2nd |
Tampa |
2nd |
| 2001 |
Tampa |
1st |
Barry / Tampa |
2nd / 1st |
| 2000 |
Tampa |
1st |
Tampa |
1st |