KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Following a flawless 10-0 start to the 2026 campaign, the Campbellsville University men's volleyball team has surged into the top five of the NAIA Men's Volleyball Coaches' Top 15 Poll, released Wednesday by the national office.
The Tigers, who began the season ranked #9 in the preseason poll, jumped four spots to #5 after reeling off ten consecutive victories. This marks the program's highest ranking since 2022 and solidifies their status as a national title contender. Campbellsville is one of five undefeated teams at the top of the poll.
The Tigers' rise has been fueled by a dominant run that includes three wins over ranked or receiving-votes opponents. Most notably, Campbellsville upset then #3 St. Thomas (Fla.) in a five-set thriller on opening weekend and swept then #10 Benedictine Mesa (Ariz.) at the Mighty Oak Invite last week.
Statistically, the Tigers have been firing on all cylinders. As a team, Campbellsville ranks among the nation's elite with a .278 hitting percentage while holding opponents to a stifling .140 clip. The offense has been balanced and potent, led by sophomore outside hitter
Ayoube Hamadache, who is averaging a team-high 3.5 kills per set. Junior opposite
Denzel Madrigal has provided a lethal one-two punch, while junior setter
Alonzo Vega continues to orchestrate the attack with precision, averaging over 10 assists per set.
Defensively, junior middle blocker
Pedro Zavatini has been a force at the net, averaging over a block per set, while sophomore libero
Andrew Ovalle anchors the back row with 3.02 digs per set.
Defending national champion The Master's (Calif.) held steady at #1, securing all first-place votes. Saint Xavier (Ill.) follows at #2, while Park (Mo.) and Missouri Valley (Mo.) moved up to #3 and #4, respectively.
The #5 Tigers will look to keep their momentum rolling this weekend as they return to Gosser Gymnasium to host the Campbellsville Invitational. Action begins Friday, February 13, at 7 p.m. ET when the Tigers welcome Bethel University (Ind.).
| TREND |
RANK |
LAST TIME |
INSTITUTION [FIRST-PLACE VOTES] |
RECORD |
POINTS |
| ● |
1 |
1 |
The Master's (Calif.) [6] |
4-0 |
100 |
| ● |
2 |
2 |
Saint Xavier (Ill.) |
6-2 |
94 |
| ▲ |
3 |
8 |
Park (Mo.) |
9-0 |
84 |
| ▲ |
4 |
5 |
Missouri Valley |
8-0 |
82 |
| ▲ |
5 |
9 |
Campbellsville (Ky.) |
10-0 |
81 |
| ▲ |
6 |
7 |
Lawrence Tech (Mich.) |
6-2 |
67 |
| ▲ |
6 |
15 |
William Penn (Iowa) |
3-2 |
67 |
| ▼ |
8 |
3 |
St. Thomas (Fla.) |
8-3 |
54 |
| ▲ |
9 |
RV |
OUAZ (Ariz.) |
6-1 |
52 |
| ▲ |
10 |
RV |
Bethel (Ind.) |
5-0 |
47 |
| ▲ |
11 |
RV |
Lourdes (Ohio) |
6-2 |
41 |
| ● |
12 |
12 |
Mount Mercy (Iowa) |
5-0 |
37 |
| ▼ |
13 |
11 |
Grand View (Iowa) |
2-1 |
35 |
| ▲ |
14 |
NR |
Morningside (Iowa) |
13-1 |
25 |
| ▼ |
15 |
4 |
Georgetown (Ky.) |
2-4 |
23 |
Dropped from the Top 15: Westcliff (Calif.), Missouri Baptist, Benedictine Mesa (Ariz.), Hope International (Calif.)
Receiving Votes: Westcliff (Calif.) 22, Missouri Baptist 16, Reinhardt (Ga.) 14, Cornerstone (Mich.) 10, Oakland City (Ind.) 9
