Bloomington — Indiana volleyball begins the 2026 season with heightened expectations after recording the best campaign in program history. The American Volleyball Coaches Association preseason poll released Monday placed the Hoosiers at No. 16, recognizing a 2025 run that culminated in a 25-8 record and a trip to the NCAA Sweet 16.
Program riding momentum, but must replace key contributors
Indiana’s placement in the preseason ranking underscores the program’s progress under coach Steve Aird. The Hoosiers finished 14-6 in Big Ten play last year and secured a top-16 berth in the NCAA tournament — the deepest run in school history. That success has raised expectations for 2026, even as IU prepares to replace some of its most productive players.
Graduation claimed the team’s winningest player, Candela Alonso-Corcelles, along with right-side attacker Avry Tatum. Their departures remove significant experience and scoring from Aird’s lineup.
Experience returning in key spots
Despite those losses, Indiana returns a core of starters who will shoulder early-season responsibilities. The roster brings back setter Teodora Krickovic, outside hitter Jaidyn Jager and liberos Hannah Leftridge and Audrey Jackson. That continuity, particularly at setter and libero, gives the Hoosiers a foundation for maintaining the offensive and defensive systems that produced last year’s breakthrough.
- 2025 record: 25-8 overall, 14-6 Big Ten
- 2026 preseason ranking: No. 16 (AVCA)
- Key departures: Candela Alonso-Corcelles, Avry Tatum
- Notable returners: Teodora Krickovic, Jaidyn Jager, Hannah Leftridge, Audrey Jackson
Challenging opener, tough conference slate ahead
The Hoosiers open the 2026 season on the road with an Aug. 28 matchup at No. 7 Louisville, a challenging start that could offer an early measure of how Indiana stacks up against top national competition this fall. The Big Ten again figures to be a gauntlet: the AVCA preseason list includes several conference programs alongside Indiana, with Nebraska ranked No. 1.
Indiana’s preseason placement among 16 ranked teams reflects both respect for last season’s accomplishments and the uncertainty that follows the loss of veteran scorers. How quickly newcomers and returning role players assimilate into starting roles will influence the Hoosiers’ ability to remain among the nation’s top squads.
AVCA context: where Indiana sits nationally
The AVCA poll’s top 16 includes national powerhouses and multiple Big Ten programs. Below is a snapshot of the poll leaders that frame Indiana’s position heading into the season:
| Rank | Team | First-place votes (if listed) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nebraska | |
| 2 | Texas | (1) |
| 3 | Kentucky | (4) |
| 4 | Pittsburgh | |
| 5 | Stanford | |
| 6 | Wisconsin | |
| 7 | Louisville | |
| 16 | Indiana |
What to watch this season
Key storylines for Indiana in 2026 will include how the team replaces the offensive production lost to graduation, whether Krickovic and the returning passer-courting group can elevate new attackers, and how the defense adapts without seasoned front-line scorers. The Aug. 28 game at Louisville will be an early benchmark; results there may shape national perception and seeding considerations later in the year.
For a program coming off its most successful season ever, the preseason ranking is both validation and a challenge. Maintaining the progress of 2025 will require contributions from returning starters and newcomers alike as Indiana navigates a difficult nonconference and Big Ten schedule.
Coverage of the Hoosiers will continue through the preseason and into the fall. Fans can expect updates on roster moves, injuries and match results as the program seeks to build on last year’s breakthrough.
