InsideHitter.com has compiled some core statistics to measure this years most improved teams as well as those teams in decline. We have analyzed each teams 2025 win percentage and compared in to their win percentage for the first month of the 2026 season. The teams near the top have improved the most (dark green), and the teams near the bottom are the most in decline based on win percentage. We will complete a similar analogy on rank comparability between 2025 and 2026 later tonight. Stay tuned.
2026 Performance Trends
The early 2026 data shows several programs from the 2025 top 40 maintaining high performance, while others are experiencing early-season shifts.
- Undefeated Leaders (2026): Several teams that were highly ranked in 2025 have started 2026 without a loss. Southern Virginia (2025 Rank: 1) is currently 8–0. Carthage (2025 Rank: 4) is 6–0, and Stevens (2025 Rank: 7) is 7–0.
- High-Volume Winners: Westminster and Elizabethtown have both recorded 10 wins already in 2026. Westminster (2025 Rank: 68) is 10–1, while Elizabethtown (2025 Rank: 52) is also 10–1.
- Significant Win % Growth: The most dramatic improvements are seen in teams like SUNY Old Westbury, which moved from a 0.250 win percentage in 2025 to 1.000 in 2026 (a 0.750 change). Elms (2025 Rank: 92) has also surged, going from 0.214 in 2025 to 0.900 in 2026.
Elms College: The Statistical Surge
Elms has posted one of the most dramatic year-over-year improvements, rising from a 0.214 win percentage in 2025 to a 0.900 start in 2026.
- Defensive Anchors: Libero Chris Bousquet was recently named the GNAC Men’s Volleyball Defensive Player of the Week (January 26, 2026), highlighting the team’s improved back-row stability.
- Roster Impact: The team features a heavy influx of new talent, including freshmen David Dzhenzherukha (Setter/Leftside) and John Centeno Pagan (Leftside), who have contributed to a 9–1 start.
Drew University: Building Momentum
Drew has significantly improved its win percentage by 0.473 in 2026. Under third-year coach Julian Diaz, the program has transitioned from an independent to a competitive member of the Continental Volleyball Conference (CVC).
- Key Offensive Leaders: Sophomore Matthew Adegbite leads the team with 3.00 kills per set, while Gio Martin averages 2.38.
- Defensive Wall: Sophomore middle blocker Michael Shipman has continued his high-level play, currently averaging 1.84 kills and contributing heavily to the team’s 2.1 blocks per set.
Wisconsin Lutheran College: Early Unbeaten Run
Wisconsin Lutheran has jumped from an 8–17 record in 2025 to an undefeated 4–0 start in 2026.
- Sophomore Core: The Warriors rely on sophomores Brady Pichler and Noah Kern to drive their early-season success.
- Veteran Presence: Junior Drew Wempner remains a focal point for the program as they seek to sustain this 0.680 win percentage increase.
Calvin University: Maintaining Consistency
Calvin has seen a 0.470 win percentage increase, starting 2026 with a 3–1 record.
- Impact Players: Junior Daniel Rua and senior Gabriel Laughlin have been primary offensive contributors, with Rua recording 10 kills in their home-opening sweep of Aquinas.
- New Contributor: Freshman Trevor Munk has already made an impact, providing critical kills in tight set situations during the early season.
Dominican University: National Contender Status
Dominican started 2026 with an undefeated 4–0 record, a 44% win percentage improvement over 2025.
- High Efficiency: In their season opener, the team hit .476, the highest hitting percentage in program history.
- Key Playmakers: Junior Ty Geschke leads the team in kills (10 in multiple matches), while sophomore Landon Kassulke has stepped in as the primary setter, recording 26 assists in the season opener. Senior middle blocker Michael Greco and junior Thomas Hirsch provide veteran presence at the net.
2025 Top 20: Early 2026 Results
Looking at the top of the 2025 leaderboard, the early 2026 results show varying levels of consistency:
| Team | 2025 Rank | 2026 Record | 2026 Win % |
| Southern Virginia | 1 | 8–0 | 1.000 |
| NYU | 2 | 4–1 | 0.800 |
| Springfield | 3 | 4–2 | 0.667 |
| Carthage | 4 | 6–0 | 1.000 |
| Juniata | 5 | 9–1 | 0.900 |
| Loras | 6 | 6–0 | 1.000 |
| Stevens | 7 | 7–0 | 1.000 |
| Cal Lutheran | 8 | 9–1 | 0.900 |
| Vassar | 9 | 3–3 | 0.500 |
| Messiah | 10 | 6–1 | 0.857 |
Notable Declines
A few teams that finished 2025 with strong rankings have struggled early in 2026. Baruch, which was ranked 61st in 2025 with an 18–12 record, has started 2026 at 0–5. Similarly, Concordia Wisconsin (2025 Rank: 51) has opened the season 0–7.
