Indianapolis, IN - The Lake Erie College volleyball team was selected to finish third in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference East Division, as voted on by the league's coaches in the preseason poll.

The East Division was led by Walsh University with 44 points and eight first-place votes, while Ashland was just one point back with three first-place votes. Hillsdale topped the North with 31 points and seven first-place votes, while Cedarville paced the South with 34 points and 10 first-place votes. The complete poll can be found below.

The Storm enter the season under the direction of first-year head coach Hannah Zuchowski, with a nucleus of returning talent that produced 11 wins and four G-MAC victories in 2025, marking the team's best season since 2018.

Lake Erie excelled on defense last fall, with four players finishing in the top 19 in blocks per set, led by junior Kennedy Stewart, who was fourth in the league with 0.98. Classmate Cecelia Mullen guided the backrow effort with 3.72 digs per set, ranking sixth in the conference.

Lake Erie also welcomes back 6-foot-1 pin Allison Kirch, who led the squad and was 16th in the G-MAC with 2.52 kills per set in her second season. The Cincinnati, Ohio, native racked up 238 points with 209 kills while matching Kennady Wiley with a team-best 17 aces.

"I am super excited about this group of young women," Coach Zuchowski said. "I am blessed to be here with them and to see us grow together as a team. I can't wait to see how they build a culture within the program that will impact our results throughout the season."

Lake Erie opens the season by hosting the Storm Volleyball Classic (Aug. 27-28) with matches against Slippery Rock, Seton Hill and Point Park. The G-MAC slate commences on September 11 at Malone with the first serve set for 7 p.m.

2026 Volleyball Coaches Preseason Poll
East Division
1. Walsh- 44 points (8 first place votes)
2. Ashland- 43 points (5 first place votes)
3. Lake Erie- 18 points
4. Malone- 14 points
5. Ursuline- 13 points

North Division
1. Hillsdale- 31 points (7 first place votes)
2. Findlay- 28 points (6 first place votes)
3. Northwood- 14 points
4. Tiffin- 13 points

South Division
1. Cedarville- 34 points (10 first place votes)
2. Ohio Dominican- 27 points (3 first place votes)
3. Thomas More- 16 points
4. Kentucky Wesleyan- 13 points