SAINT PAUL, Minn. – The Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) revealed its preseason poll Wednesday, and the Yellowjacket volleyball team was predicted to finish second.
 
Leading the poll of conference head coaches was Northwestern, taking six-of-seven first place votes with 36 points. The Yellowjackets took second place and secured the final first place vote with 30 points.
 
UWS returns a trio of key contributors from last season, including senior Sydney Smith (Milltown, Wis./Unity) and the junior duo of Makenna Hohbein (Holdingford, Minn./Holdingford) and Savanna Hering (Superior, Wis./Superior). Smith contributed 159 kills and 70 blocks last season, while Hohbein collected 463 kills with 381 digs. Hering, the league's reigning defensive player of the year, finished with 38 service aces and 557 digs.
 
Bethany Lutheran and Minnesota Morris follow in the poll with 25 and 23 points, respectively. Crown secured fifth place with 15 points, while Martin Luther (12 points) and North Central (six points) round out the league.
 
The Yellowjackets begin the 2026 regular season Friday, Sept. 4, taking on Wisconsin Lutheran in the Sugar Loaf Classic. The opening serve is set for 7 p.m. at David R. Thies Arena in Winona, Minn.