Wolf Pack picked third in Sun Conference preseason beach volleyball poll

NEW ORLEANS  – The 2026 NAIA and Sun Conference Preseason Beach Volleyball Coaches' Polls have been released ahead of the upcoming season, and the Loyola Wolf Pack received high recognition in both sets of rankings. 

With 97 total points from votes, Wolf Pack slotted in at third in the conference's preseason poll for the second consecutive season. Last year's finalists, Webber International (117) and Mobile (112), received all but one of the first-place votes. The other first-place vote went to William Carey, who checked in 15 points behind the Wolf Pack in fourth. 

In the national poll, Webber and Mobile landed in the NAIA top 10 at No. 6 and No. 7, respectively. OUAZ and Corban were the top two teams, garnering all six first-place votes. Loyola received the second-most votes of any team outside the top 10, while Sun members William Carey, New College of Florida, and Ave Maria also received votes. 

[Full NAIA preseason rankings]

In coach Robert Pitre's final year with the program, he helped guide Loyola's beach volleyball team to its most successful season yet, finishing 14-7 overall and 9-3 in Sun Conference matches. The 2025 team earned a ranking as high as No. 9 in the NAIA and reached the semifinals of the Sun Conference Championship, falling to Mobile. 

Now under first-year head coach Jenna Ibieta, the Wolf Pack will look to build on the previous season's success, with most of the team returning from last year's semifinal squad. 

Graduate student Amaya Bazemore is among the nine players returning. Also returning to the 2026 team are Kiarelis Martinez, Kala Emanuelli, Madeline Corrall, Juliet Petruzelli, Samantha Guillotte, Isabella Rodrigue, Belén Puche Laguna, and Mary Dinegar. 

Loyola's 2026 beach volleyball season is set to begin on February 20 in Montgomery, Ala. The Wolf Pack will be competing against NCAA teams Huntingdon College, Stevenson University, Berry College, and LaGrange College at the Huntingdon Beach Bash. 

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2026 Sun Conference Beach Volleyball Preseason Poll

1.    Webber International – 117 (7)    
2.    Mobile    112 – (4)    
3.    Loyola – 97    
4.    William Carey – 82 (1)    
5.    Ave Maria – 79
6.    New College of Florida – 78
7.    Truett McConnell – 62
8.    Warner     – 54
9.    St. Thomas – 46
T10.    Brenau – 24    
T10.    Spartanburg Methodist – 24
12.    Florida Memorial – 17