NAPERVILLE — Defending league champion Carthage was selected as the favorite in the 2026 College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) Men’s Volleyball Preseason Coaches Poll, announced by the conference office on Monday. The Firebirds earned five of the six first-place votes and 25 total points.
 
2026 CCIW Men's Volleyball Preseason Poll

Team (First-place votes)	Points
1. Carthage (5)	25
2. Loras (1)	20
3. North Central	17
4. Augustana	12
5. Illinois Wesleyan	11
6. North Park	5

Monday’s announcement marks the second consecutive season the Firebirds have been the top preseason pick and the fifth time overall.
 
Carthage enters the 2026 season following a standout 2025 campaign that included a 23-4 overall record and a 9-1 mark in league play. Under the direction of head coach JW Kieckhefer, a four-time CCIW Coach of the Year, the Firebirds have captured four conference championships since 2021.
 
Loras was slotted second in the poll with 20 points and the remaining first-place vote. The Duhawks shared the regular-season title with Carthage in 2024 and have advanced to the CCIW Tournament championship match in each of the past two seasons.
 
North Central was picked third with 17 points after claiming the CCIW title in 2023 and finishing as the national runner-up that same season. Augustana checked in fourth with 12 points, while Illinois Wesleyan followed closely in fifth with 11 points. North Park rounded out the poll with five points.
 
The 2026 season begins Tuesday, Jan. 13 when Carthage visits Lakeland at 6 p.m. League play begins Thursday, Feb. 19.