Maverick Volleyball Picked to Finish Sixth in NSIC Preseason Coaches’ Poll
BURNSVILLE, Minn. — The Minnesota State volleyball team has been picked to finish sixth in the NSIC Preseason Coaches’ Poll.
Minnesota State received 156 points to secure the sixth spot in the poll. Concordia-St. Paul topped the poll with11 first-place votes and 220 points, with Wayne State following in second place with three first-place votes and 207 points. St. Cloud State took third place in the poll with two first-place votes and 199 points. Southwest Minnesota State (177) and Sioux Falls (158) rounded out the top-five.
Last season, Minnesota State finished with a 23-6 record, including a 15-5 NSIC record, to finish in fourth place in the NSIC standings. MSU topped the NSIC team leaderboard in opponent hitting percentage (.154), opponent assists (10.13 aps), opponent kills (10.80 kps) and service aces (2.43 aps).
Junior Jadyn Lester was named Minnesota State’s Player to Watch for the upcoming 2026 season. Lester started in all 29 matches for the Mavericks last season and appeared in all 97 sets. She tallied 1,067 assists (11.00 aps) and led the team in service aces with 61. Lester also notched 237 digs and 54 total blocks. Lester led the NSIC in service aces last season and ranked sixth in assists.
Minnesota State opens its 2026 season at the Ferris State Invitational on Aug. 27-29. MSU opens the invitational on Aug. 27 as it takes on Emporia State at 2:00 p.m.
