RUSSELLVILLE, Arkansas – The Ouachita volleyball team has been picked No. 3 in the Great American Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll released Tuesday by the league office.

The 2025 Tigers went 15-1 in conference matches last year to win the regular season championship. Overall, the Tigers went 26-5, including an undefeated 13-0 mark at home.

A productive group of seniors graduated from last year's squad, leaving nine returning letterwinners. Among the key returners include First Team All-GAC middle Leah Gardner, Third Team All-GAC libero Kylie Kisgen, and Third Team All-GAC outside hitter Kailey Thedford.

Reigning GAC Coach of the Year Allison Frizzell-Kizer has welcomed nine newcomers to the mix for the 2026 season, which gets underway Tuesday night (August 18) on the road against Louisiana Tech in an exhibition match. The Tigers host the University of the Ozarks on Saturday (August 22) at 1 p.m. for a scrimmage and then open the regular season August 28-29 at the McKendree Invitational in Lebanon, Illinois.

2026 GAC VOLLEYBALL PRESEASON COACHES POLL
Harding, 114 points, 4 first-place votes
Oklahoma Baptist, 111 points, 6-first-place votes
Ouachita, 96 points, 2 first-place votes
Southwestern Oklahoma State, 94 points
Arkansas Tech, 86 points
Henderson State, 62 points
East Central, 62 points
Southern Nazarene, 46 points
Southern Arkansas, 43 points
Southeastern Oklahoma State, 42 points
Northwestern Oklahoma State, 24 points
Arkansas-Monticello, 12 points