KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The NAIA announces the latest women’s volleyball coaches’ top 25 poll to kick off the month of September, which sees DWU move up five spots from the preseason, checking in at 11th in the country.
Dakota Wesleyan’s ranking is reflective of a strong 8-1 start to the season, including seven sweeps over opponents, only dropping one set to Dakota State in their eighth victory just a week ago. The Tigers have only lost one match to the fourth-ranked Corban Warriors in their nine played matches.
On the court, the Tigers are led by returning attackers Evy Knoblock and Madisyn Grimsrud, who have combined for 190 total kills through the initial stretch of competition. They have been assisted by setter Kayleigh Hybertson, who was named the GPAC’s first Setter-of-the-Week for the 2026-27 season, dishing out 321 assists through 29 played sets. Defensively, libero Lizzie Tyler has led the effort with 144 total digs, leading DWU with 4.97 digs-per-set, while being supported by Abby Zegar, who has 81 posted digs so far, and Presly Pastian, who has recorded 74 of her own.
No. 11 Dakota Wesleyan will be back in action beginning Friday, September 4th, as they head down to Omaha, Nebraska, to compete in the CSM Labor Day Classic through September 5th. They will then open GPAC play at home against the Dordt Defenders on Wednesday, September 9th, in the Christen Family Athletic Center.