WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - In the first American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) poll release of 2026, Purdue was picked No. 9. The preseason prediction is just just one spot shy of the program's record in the preseason standings (No. 8 in 2024 and 2014). Meanwhile, it is the second time in the last three seasons the Boilermakers have earned the top-10 preseason ranking.
Ahead, Purdue will face a total of 11 matchups against top-25 teams, including eight top-16 teams and either four or five top-10 teams (depending on if the team plays No. 11 SMU or No. 8 Kentucky at the Paradise Invitational) throughout the season.
Among the Big Ten, the Boilermakers were one of eight programs recognized in the top-25, one of 11 receiving votes, and rank third among those teams.
Coming off arguably its best season in program history behind a program-record five All-Big Ten First Team honorees, which includes Taylor Anderson, Grace Heaney and Kenna Wollard as first team selections, rides its momentum into the 2026 season, returning five of its 2025 Regional Final starters. Anderson, Heaney and Wollard were also tabbed 2026 AVCA Player of the Year Watch List honorees and preseason All-Big Ten. Purdue is one of three programs in the nation with three national POTY contenders on its team (joined by Nebraska: 3 and Kentucky: 4).
With exhibition matches set to begin this Friday for the Boilermakers, single-match tickets for Purdue home matches are available now. Purdue will host two ticketed exhibition matches on August 14 vs. Ball State and August 21 vs. Butler leading up to the season-opener vs. Creighton on August 28.
Schedule Notes
- Purdue will begin the year with back-to-back ranked opponents in No. 13 Creighton (State Farm Volleyball Showcase in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, 8/28) and No. 8 Texas A&M (Mackey Arena, 9/1)
- Three of Purdue's first four matches will come against top-18 programs. Meanwhile, four of Purdue's first seven matches of the season will come against top-18 foes
- The Boilers will face two top-11 programs in the span with hosting the reigning national champions No. 8 Texas A&M (in Mackey Arena on 9/1) and either No. 8 Kentucky or No. 11 SMU (in Nassau, Bahamas on 9/13)
- Purdue's schedule is slated to see multiple back-to-back top-25 matchups: vs. No. 13 Creighton (8/28) followed by No. 8 Texas A&M (9/1), No. 6 Wisconsin (9/27) followed by at No. 25 Oregon (10/2), at No. 1 Nebraska (10/17) followed by vs. No. 14 Minnesota (10/23)
- Purdue’s docket will include seven matches against a team with at least one National Player of the Year Watch List honoree. In total, the Boilermakers will face eight or 10 honorees, depending on if they face the SMU Mustangs (who has two named) or the Kentucky Wildcats (who have four named) in the Paradise Invitational tournament.