2026 Preview: NCAA Division III Men’s Volleyball Expands to 142 Programs

2026 Preview: NCAA Division III Men’s Volleyball Expands to 142 Programs

NCAA Division III men’s volleyball enters the 2026 season with 142 announced sponsoring programs, up from 136 in 2025. This growth reflects continued development in the sport. The alignments include established conferences and new additions that increase competitive opportunities.

2025 Inside Hitter Final Rankings Overview

The 2025 season concluded with the final Inside Hitter Rankings through games played April 28, 2025. These rankings provide context for teams entering 2026.

Top 20 teams from the 2025 final rankings:

1. Southern Virginia – 27.32 rating, 34-1 record, CVC
2. NYU – 26.37 rating, 26-1 record, UVC
3. Springfield – 26.33 rating, 25-5 record, Independent
4. Carthage – 26.28 rating, 23-4 record, CCIW
5. Juniata – 25.67 rating, 31-5 record, CVC
6. Loras – 25.51 rating, 18-5 record, CCIW
7. Stevens – 25.32 rating, 25-5 record, MAC
8. Cal Lutheran – 24.88 rating, 23-7 record, Independent
9. Vassar – 24.29 rating, 22-7 record, UVC
10. Messiah – 24.10 rating, 26-4 record, MAC
11. North Central – 23.65 rating, 15-7 record, CCIW
12. Aurora – 23.49 rating, 26-5 record, NACC
13. UC Santa Cruz – 23.38 rating, 19-8 record, Independent
14. Wentworth – 23.29 rating, 26-7 record, GNAC
15. Nazareth – 23.08 rating, 19-11 record, UVC
16. St. John Fisher – 22.76 rating, 24-9 record, UVC
17. Mount Union – 22.57 rating, 20-9 record, MCVL
18. Baldwin Wallace – 22.54 rating, 19-11 record, MCVL
19. SUNY New Paltz – 22.51 rating, 14-14 record, UVC
20. Hobart – 22.32 rating, 20-9 record, UVC

These results highlight strong performances from teams in the CVC, UVC, CCIW, MAC, NACC, GNAC, MCVL, and independents.

Key Additions for 2026

Six programs start competition in 2026.

• Bridgewater College joins the Old Dominion Athletic Conference, expanding it to nine members. The ODAC included Randolph-Macon (rank 31, 21.01 rating, 22-10 record in 2025) and Roanoke (rank 43, 18.99 rating, 22-12 record).
• Shenandoah University joins the Old Dominion Athletic Conference, contributing to its nine-team total.
• Spalding University joins the Midwest Collegiate Volleyball League, expanding it to 10 members. The MCVL had Mount Union (rank 17, 22.57 rating, 20-9 record in 2025) and Baldwin Wallace (rank 18, 22.54 rating, 19-11 record).
• Gwynedd Mercy University starts as an independent.
• Hartwick College starts as an independent.
• Wheaton College (Illinois) starts as an independent.

These join the independent group that featured Springfield (ranked 3rd, 26.33 rating, 25-5 record in 2025), California Lutheran (ranked 8th, 24.88 rating, 23-7 record), and UC Santa Cruz (ranked 13th, 23.38 rating, 19-8 record).

Conference Highlights for 2026

Conferences maintain strong memberships based on 2025 performances.

• The Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference fields 13 teams. Aurora finished ranked 12th with 23.49 rating and 26-5 record in 2025.
• The Skyline Conference loses both NJCU and Ramapo. NJCU will join the CUNYAC and Ramapo will play as an independent in 2026.
• The Middle Atlantic Conference has 10 teams. Stevens finished ranked 7th with 25.32 rating and 25-5 record, and Messiah finished ranked 10th with 24.10 rating and 26-4 record in 2025.
• The Continental Volleyball Conference includes eight teams. Southern Virginia finished ranked 1st in the nation with 27.32 rating and 34-1 record, and Juniata finished ranked 5th with 25.67 rating and 31-5 record in 2025.
• The United Volleyball Conference has eight teams. NYU finished ranked 2nd with 26.37 rating and 26-1 record, and Vassar finished ranked 9th with 24.29 rating and 22-7 record in 2025.
• The Great Northeast Athletic Conference and Skyline Conference each have eight teams. Wentworth finished ranked 14th with 23.29 rating and 26-7 record in 2025.

The independent category includes 17 programs for 2026.

2027 Outlook

Seven programs plan to add men’s volleyball in 2027: Alvernia (Middle Atlantic Conference), Franciscan (Presidents’ Athletic Conference), Lake Forest College (independent), Lycoming College (Landmark Conference), University of Scranton (Landmark Conference), Washington & Jefferson (Presidents’ Athletic Conference), and William Peace (independent). Major shifts will occur in 2027 in conference alignment, new teams, and conference structure. For a glimpse into the 2027 landscape, check out this link…

The 2026 season extends the competitive structure from 2025, with increased program numbers and new teams participating at the Division III level.