MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Loyola edged out Mobile for the top spot in the 2026 Southern States Athletic Conference Volleyball Coaches' Preseason Poll. 
 
Loyola gained seven of 12 first-place votes to take the top spot by three points, while Mobile and William Carey followed closely behind. The Rams won last season's regular season title, while Loyola won the tournament crown. 
 
Jenna Ibieta, Loyola Head Coach: "Being picked first in the preseason poll is an honor and speaks to the foundation our program has built. We return a strong core of experienced players, and we're excited about the talented newcomers who have joined our program. We believe that combination will allow us to continue to compete at a high level, but we know we'll have to earn our success every day."
 
Watch Live For Free On The Urban Edge Network
Like last year, many regular season and all SSAC Championship matches will be streamed live for free on the Urban Edge Network: https://www.urbanedgenetwork.net
 
2026 SSAC Volleyball Championship
All 12 teams will qualify for the 2026 championship, set for Nov. 12-14 at the Multiplex at Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Ala. The winners of the four pools will move to single-elimination bracket play.
 
2026 SSAC Preseason Poll
1. Loyola - 134 (7)
2. Mobile - 131 (3)
3. William Carey - 124 (1)
4. Blue Mountain - 101
5. Xavier - 91
6. UT Southern - 78
7. Life - 72 (1)
7. Point - 72
9. Faulkner - 52
10. Brewton-Parker - 43
11. Andrew - 21
12. Wesleyan - 17