Blair & Waddell Named Preseason All-MAC, 2026 MAC Volleyball Coaches’ Poll Announced

CLEVELAND – The Ohio volleyball team was selected to finish fourth overall, tied with Bowling Green, in the 2026 Mid-American Conference Volleyball Preseason Coaches' Poll, as announced by the league on Monday, Aug. 24. In addition, sophomore Bailey Blair (Louisville, Ky.) and senior Emily Waddell (Carmel, Ind.) were selected to the 2026 Preseason All-MAC Team.

Toledo was selected as the predicted regular season champion, earning 92 points with seven first-place votes. Ball State was picked to finish second with 91 points and three first-place votes. Behind the Cardinals is Western Michigan in third with a total of 78 points. Toledo (6) and Ball State (5) both received champion votes.

Both Ohio and Bowling Green earned 71 points, tying for the fourth-place spot in the poll. The Bobcats, however, was the third time to receive any first-place votes with one.

2026 MAC Volleyball Coaches' Poll
(First place votes)
1. Toledo – 92 points (7)
2. Ball State – 91 points (3)
3. Western Michigan – 78 points
T-4. Ohio – 71 points (1)
T-4. Bowling Green – 71 points
6. Miami – 59 points
7. Akron – 41 points
8. Buffalo – 35 points
9. Eastern Michigan – 31 points
10. Central Michigan – 21 points
11. Kent State – 15 points

Tournament Champion: Toledo (6), Ball State (5)

Ohio's two Preseason All-MAC selections, Blair and Waddell, are standout members in the group of players returning for the Bobcats this season. Both Blair and Waddell are coming off a 2025 season that included several standout performances, especially in conference play.

Blair had a stellar debut season with Ohio that was capped off with her being named the 2025 MAC Freshman of the Year. Additionally, Blair was named First Team All-MAC and to the MAC All-Freshmen Team. In 31 matches and 120 sets played, she compiled 360 kills (3.00), 884 total attempts, seven assists 16 aces, 90 digs, 51 total blocks (0.43) and 394.0 points (3.40).

Waddell was a standout on the team and in the conference during the 2025 season. She was named to the 2025 All-MAC First Team after she helped the Bobcats to several important victories over conference opponents. In 31 matches and 120 sets played, Waddell compiled 215 kills (1.79), 520 total attempts, 32 aces (0.27), 57 digs, 106.0 total blocks (0.88) and 305.0 points (2.54).

2026 Preseason All-MAC Team
(alphabetical by school)
Delaney Gash, Outside Hitter, Akron
Lyndi Wolf, Middle Blocker, Akron
Gwen Crull, Middle Blocker, Ball State
Sophie Ledbetter, Libero, Ball State
Camryn Wise, Middle Blocker, Ball State
Avery Hobson, Outside Hitter, Bowling Green
Bailey Blair, Opposite, Ohio
Emily Waddell, Middle Blocker, Ohio
Molly Creech, Outside Hitter, Miami
Jessica Costloe, Outside Hitter, Toledo
Grace Freiberger, Libero, Toledo
Olivia Heitkamo, Outside Hitter, Toledo
Sierra Pertzborn, Middle Blocker, Toledo
Leah Richmond, Setter, Western Michigan

The Bobcats will kick off the 2026 season at the Marshall Invitational in Huntington, W. Va. on Aug. 28-29. Ohio's season opener will be played against Niagara on Friday, Aug. 29 at 3 p.m. ET.

#OUohyeah

Blair & Waddell Named Preseason All-MAC, 2026 MAC Volleyball Coaches’ Poll Announced

Players Mentioned

Bailey Blair

Emily Waddell

Footer