FORT WAYNE, Ind. – The Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (MIVA) announced the preseason rankings for the 2026 men's volleyball season on Monday morning. The Bearcats were picked to finish fifth. Junior setter Nate Flayter and graduate student defensive specialist/libero Yadiel Diaz were awarded to the Preseason All-MIVA Team.
McKendree finished the 2025 season as co-champions of the regular MIVA season, sharing the title with Loyola Chicago. The Bearcats came up just short in the MIVA tournament, falling in the semifinals to Ohio State. The Bearcats are entering the 2026 season under the guidance of reining MIVA Coach of the Year and AVCA Men's National Coach of the Year, Nickie Sanlin. Sanlin added five freshman and two transfers to the roster following the departure of three key seniors at the conclusion of the 2025 season.
Flayter finished the 2025 season with 724 assist, 70 kills, and 182 digs. Flayter is sitting at 908 career assist, 92 shy of hitting the 1,000-career mark. Diaz ended the 2025 season with 242 digs and 84 assists. Flayter and Diaz both earned an all-MIVA first team recognition for their performance.
Please find the full Preseason Poll and All-MIVA Team below:
2026 Preseason Poll (first place votes)
1. Loyola Chicago - 73 (5)
2. Ohio State - 68 (2)
3. Ball State - 63 (1)
4. Lewis - 57 (1)
5. McKendree - 52
6. Lindenwood - 33
7. Purdue Fort Wayne - 24
8. Northern Kentucky - 19
9. Queens – 16
2026 Preseason MIVA Player of the Year
Patrick Rogers - Ball State
2026 Preseason All-MIVA Team
Lucas Machado - Ball State
Patrick Rogers - Ball State
Oguzhan Oguz - Lewis
Nico Paula - Lewis
Ryan McElligott - Loyola Chicago
Daniel Fabikovic - Loyola Chicago
Aleksander Sosa - Loyola Chicago
Yadiel Diaz - McKendree
Nate Flayter - McKendree
Stanislaw Chacinski - Ohio State
Shane Wetzel - Ohio State
Logan Muir - Purdue Fort Wayne
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