The Master’s enters the 2026 Great Southwest Athletic Conference women’s volleyball season as the team to beat after sweeping both conference championships and advancing to the final site of the NAIA National Championship last fall.

The Mustangs received eight of the nine first-place votes and totaled 64 points to earn the top position in the 2026 GSAC Women’s Volleyball Preseason Coaches’ Poll. Arizona Christian collected the remaining first-place vote and finished second with 52 points, followed by 2025 GSAC Tournament runner-up OUAZ with 47.

Benedictine Mesa placed fourth with 38 points, followed by Life Pacific with 33, Embry-Riddle with 30 and La Sierra with 29. Hope International received 23 points, while Park Gilbert completed the nine-team poll with eight.

The Master’s completed the 2025 regular season with a 14-2 conference record before defeating OUAZ in three sets to capture the GSAC Tournament championship. The Mustangs then advanced through the NAIA Opening Round and competed in pool play at the national championship final site in Sioux City.

OUAZ finished one match behind The Master’s during the regular season at 13-3 and reached the conference championship match. Arizona Christian also finished 13-3 before advancing to the GSAC semifinals, while Life Pacific completed an 11-5 conference campaign and earned the remaining semifinal berth. Each of the nine GSAC women’s volleyball programs selected two student-athletes as its 2026 Players to Watch. The group features returning All-GSAC performers, established starters, experienced transfers and emerging players expected to take on larger roles this season.

The selections highlight the depth of talent throughout a conference that returns several of its most productive attackers, setters, defenders and front-row players. The list is led by a deep group from defending champion The Master’s, but every program enters the season with players capable of influencing the conference standings.

Players to Watch are program nominations intended to spotlight student-athletes expected to make a significant impact during the upcoming season. They are not preseason All-GSAC selections. The Master’s enters 2026 with nearly every significant contributor back from the team that swept the GSAC regular-season and tournament championships. The Mustangs return more than 10 players, all seven starters and their starting libero after finishing 24-5 overall and gaining valuable experience at the NAIA National Championship final site.

Five returning players earned All-GSAC recognition last season: Isabella Amet, McKenna Brady, Macy Gebhards, Sierra Hale and Kate Wagner. Starting outside hitter Kinsley Kollmann, starting middle Krista Brady and defensive specialist Piper Susank also return, giving the Mustangs one of the conference’s deepest and most experienced rotations.

Players to Watch Isabella Amet and Kate Wagner headline a group that did not lose a starter from the 2025 lineup. The addition of NCAA Division I transfer Chloe Grever provides another physical option in the middle or on the pin. With continuity throughout the roster and another challenging nonconference schedule ahead, The Master’s begins the season as the clear conference favorite.
  Arizona Christian returns five starters and its starting libero from a team that finished tied for second in the regular-season standings and advanced to the 2025 GSAC semifinals. Returning All-GSAC selection Zuri Reeser leads an experienced group that also includes Kiah Lerma, Becca Thomson, Madison Van Wie and Bethany Johnson.

The Firestorm must replace Ryan Coughlin, Emmi Jacobus and Shelby Emich, but the program added several promising freshmen. Kensie Seward arrives from Skyview High School in Nampa, Idaho; Madison Sherby joins the roster from North Valley Christian Academy in Hillsboro, Oregon; and Lily Barrett comes to ACU from Boise High School.

Players to Watch Becca Thomson and Madison Van Wie will be central to a team expected to remain near the top of the conference standings. With five starters back and an experienced defensive foundation, Arizona Christian believes it can contend for another postseason appearance and challenge the conference favorites.
  OUAZ enters the season after reaching the 2025 GSAC championship match and finishing 23-5 overall. The Spirit return more than 10 players and four starters but must replace several important members of last year’s lineup, including Lauren Wamsley and Kaiden Raif.

Returning All-GSAC selection Gloria Moye leads the returning group alongside Bella Reach, Jenna Sarff, Hannah Allman and Keira Adrian. OUAZ also added Elisa Saunders, Myra Memon and Norma Ramirez-Barba as the Spirit look to replenish a roster that graduated several experienced contributors.

Players to Watch Gloria Moye and Bella Reach will be expected to provide leadership as OUAZ blends its returning core with the incoming class. Although several players will move into larger roles, the Spirit expect to remain among the conference’s strongest teams after advancing to last year’s tournament final.
  Benedictine Mesa enters its second season under head coach Madison Kindle with five starters and its starting libero returning. The Redhawks bring back eight players from last year’s roster, led by returning All-GSAC selection Sophie Drollinger.

Starting right side Janae Moore and starting middle Camille Collins also return, giving Benedictine Mesa experience at multiple positions. The Redhawks must replace leading attacker Railey Druxman and setter Vivianna Galvan, who established the program’s single-season assists record.

Players to Watch Sophie Drollinger and Adina Ortiz will help lead the transition. Mesa Community College transfer Marley Cortez adds significant experience after earning NJCAA National Championship All-Tournament Team honors, Second Team All-ACCAC recognition and ACCAC Division II Offensive Player of the Week honors. Benedictine Mesa will look to improve upon last season’s conference finish and establish itself among the league’s leading teams.
  Life Pacific returns more than 10 players, five starters and its starting libero from a team that finished fourth in the 2025 conference standings and advanced to the GSAC semifinals. The Warriors bring back one of the conference’s most experienced groups after losing only five members of last year’s roster.

Returning All-GSAC selection Marlayina Masani leads a veteran core that also includes Jadyn Armstrong, Kate Smith, Kendal Collins, Tionn Wise, Samantha Durant and Kelsey Gomarko. Isabel Johnson is the most notable departure from the previous season.

Players to Watch Kate Smith and Tionn Wise will be important pieces for a roster expected to build upon last year’s success. Life Pacific did not submit additional newcomer information, but the Warriors believe their returning experience and incoming players will strengthen the team’s culture and keep the program firmly in the postseason race.
  Embry-Riddle returns more than 10 players and four starters after losing only two members of last season’s roster. The Eagles will need to replace Alexis Creager and identify a new starting libero, but otherwise enter the season with considerable continuity.

Players to Watch Hannah Clear and Alice Tuci lead the returning group and will be expected to take on prominent roles. Embry-Riddle also added four newcomers, including two players with previous collegiate experience.

Yavapai College transfer Destiny Matthews brings additional experience to the roster, while Maya Dominguez arrives from Las Vegas after winning two state championships with Nevada State High School. With a large returning group and a small but experienced incoming class, the Eagles will look to improve upon last season’s 6-10 conference finish.
  Few teams will look more different in 2026 than La Sierra. The Golden Eagles return five players and two starters after losing more than 10 members of last year’s roster. They will also need to replace their starting libero.

La Sierra rebuilt through the transfer market, adding three players with previous NAIA experience and eight community college transfers. Players to Watch Mayah Tiscareno and Aleksandra Augustyniak headline the incoming group.

Augustyniak transfers from the University of the Cumberlands after earning NAIA Daktronics Scholar-Athlete recognition and participating in the national tournament. Tiscareno arrives from Mt. San Antonio College after helping her team win a conference championship, serving as team captain and earning 2025 California Libero of the Year honors. The Golden Eagles will rely heavily on their experienced newcomers as the roster develops throughout the season.
  Hope International enters the season with a significantly reshaped roster after losing more than 10 players, including Annie Nugent, Savannah Salter and Lauren Cummings. The Royals return eight players, three starters and will need to replace their starting libero.

Olivia Samaniego is among the notable returners, while transfer Aliya Unseth highlights the incoming group. With several new players expected to move directly into important roles, Hope International will need to establish its rotation and identity early in the season.

Players to Watch Kaylani Moncada and Phoebe Sebby will be asked to provide production and leadership. The Royals expect their rebuilt roster to bring an increased level of grit to the court as they work to improve upon last season’s conference finish.
  Park Gilbert returns more than 10 players and four starters from last season, giving the Buccaneers a more experienced foundation entering 2026. Porsche Bauer, Anna DeMario, Hayven Lick and captain Kyla Knight headline the returning group, while Knight begins her fourth season with the program.

Park Gilbert must replace Aliyah Unseth and Elise Langley, but the incoming class includes several players who could contribute immediately. Outside hitter Lainey Calvary arrives from Spokane Colleges after finishing second on the team with 187 kills across 95 sets last season. Middle blocker Tammie Wagner joins the program from Marcos de Niza High School.

Players to Watch Lainey Calvary and Molly Aikens will be among the players expected to help Park Gilbert take a step forward. The Buccaneers believe the combination of an experienced returning roster and young talent can produce improvement throughout the conference season.