Coming off a strong season, Purdue volleyball begins the 2026 season with high expectations.The Boilermakers are ranked 9th on the American Volleyball Coaches Association preseason list, along with seven other Big Ten programs, including overwhelming No. 1 Nebraska.Coach Dave Shondell's team went 27-7 last season (15-5, tied for third place in the Big Ten), reaching the Elite 8. Four other Boilers teams coached by Shondell have reached the regional finals. He returns the core of his roster, including star outside hitter Kenna Wollard, right-side Grace Heaney, setter Taylor Anderson and libero Ryan McAleer, among others.Purdue starts this season against No. 13 Creighton on Aug. 28 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.Insider: Purdue volleyball momentum boosted by NCAA rule change, but comes with costPatience pays off: How this 'volleyball machine' has shown so much more in Purdue's surprise seasonAVCA national volleyball rankings(with first-place votes)Nebraska (57)Texas (1)Kentucky (4)PittsburghStanfordWisconsinLouisvilleTexas A&M (1)PurduePenn StateSMUArizona StateCreightonMinnesotaKansasIndianaFloridaTCUNorth CarolinaUSCBaylorTennesseeColoradoBYUOregonThis article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Coaches vote Purdue volleyball as preseason top-10 team in rankings