CHARLOTTE, N.C. (August 17, 2026) - The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA®) announces the 2026 Preseason All-CIAA Volleyball Team and Predicted Order of Finish, as voted on by the CIAA Sports Information Directors Association. The Golden Bulls of Johnson C. Smith University was picked 11th in the Predicted Order of Finish.
Defending CIAA champion Fayetteville State University will begin its title defense as the conference's preseason favorite, earning the top spot in the 2026 Predicted Order of Finish. Shaw University was selected second, followed by Virginia State University, Winston-Salem State University, Bluefield State University, and Bowie State University in the top six.
The order at the top remains unchanged from last year's preseason poll, but the road each program took through the 2025 season provides a different backdrop entering 2026. Fayetteville State emerged from a competitive championship field to reclaim the conference crown, defeating Virginia State in the semifinals before sweeping two-time defending champion Shaw in the title match.
2026 CIAA VOLLEYBALL PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH
- Fayetteville State University
- Shaw University
- Virginia State University
- Winston-Salem State University
- Bluefield State University
- Bowie State University
- Livingstone College
- Virginia Union University
- Claflin University
- Elizabeth City State University
- Johnson C. Smith University
- Lincoln University (PA)
