Lancaster, Pa. – (8/28/2026) – Now just a few days before opening day, Atlantic East Conference (AEC) Commissioner Rebecca Mullen has officially released the results of the 2026 Women's Volleyball Preseason Poll. Garnering five of the six available first-place votes and totaling 25 points, Marymount University placed atop the coaches' standings forecast. Immaculata University received the remaining first-place vote and ranked just behind the Saints with 20 total points. Gwynedd Mercy University tied Centenary University (N.J.) for third place with 14 total points apiece. The remainder of the coaches' league projection included Saint Elizabeth University (11 total points) and Pratt Institute (6).
 
Gwynedd Mercy University's first season under the leadership of Head Coach Amber Medycki saw the Griffins celebrate career milestones and program records while battling for an 8-16 overall record and a 3-4 finish in the AEC. The league standing failed to qualify the Red and Gold for 2025 postseason play, but junior outside hitter Kate Etter (Chambersburg, Pa.) (1^st Team) and senior middle hitter Charlotte Pugh (Philadelphia, Pa.) (2^nd Team) were recognized on the All-AEC Team. Etter was Gwynedd Mercy University's points leader with the league's second best kill total (2^nd, 297) and seventh best point total (7^th, 340.0 points), while Pugh ranked among the AEC Top-10 in both digs (8^th, 307) and kills (9^th, 271) before earning the 2025-2026 Gwynedd Mercy University Female Senior Student-Athlete of the Year award.
 
The complete results of the 2026 AEC Women's Volleyball Preseason Poll are available list below and available by using the provided links.
 
2026 Atlantic East Conference (AEC) Women's Volleyball Preseason Poll
 

Rank. Team	Points	First-Place Votes
1. Marymount University	25	5
2. Immaculata University	20	1
T3. Gwynedd Mercy University	14
T3. Centenary University (N.J.)	14
5. Saint Elizabeth University	11
6. Pratt Institute	5