CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Nebraska Wesleyan volleyball was picked to finish fourth in the American Rivers Conference, the conference announced Thursday morning.

As voted on by the league's coaches, NWU was picked behind Dubuque, Central and Wartburg, and ahead of Coe, Simpson, Loras and Buena Vista in the eight-team conference.

2026 A-R-C VOLLEYBALL PRESEASON POLL
Rank	Team	Points (First Place Votes)
1	University of Dubuque	49 (7)
2	Central College	37
3	Wartburg College	32
4	Nebraska Wesleyan	31
T-5	Coe College	27
T-5	Simpson College	27
7	Loras College	12
8	Buena Vista University	9

Elecea Saathoff, Molly Ramirez and Macy Plucker all return for the Prairie Wolves after earning All-A-R-C honors a year ago.

Saathoff, a 2025 AVCA All-Region IX Honorable Mention and three-time first-team All-A-R-C selection, posted seven double-doubles last season, second-most on the team. The setter led the team in digs in two matches and finished with 1,052 assists. She currently ranks fourth in the Prairie Wolves' career record book with 3,107 assists.

Ramirez was also a first-team All-A-R-C selection. She finished with one double-double on the year and posted 15 double-digit kill matches, leading NWU in kills in six matches.

Plucker was the A-R-C Rookie of the Year last season while also earning first-team All-A-R-C honors. The outside hitter led the Prairie Wolves in kills in 21 of their 27 matches and recorded 23 matches with double-digit kills.

NWU will kick off Head Coach Rayna Cain's 16th season at the helm with an exhibition match against North Platte Community College on Wednesday, Aug. 26 at 4:30 p.m. CT in Snyder Arena.