LANCASTER, Pa. – Nine-time defending champion Johns Hopkins collected top billing in the 2026 Centennial Conference Volleyball Preseason Poll. The Blue Jays received seven first-place votes and totaled 97 points in a vote of CC head coaches.
Franklin & Marshall, the 2025 runner-up, picked up three first-place votes and 90 points to take second in the voting. Swarthmore also garnered a first-place nod and finished third in the poll with 77 points, followed closely by Haverford (73) and Gettysburg (70) in fourth and fifth place, respectively. Dickinson was picked sixth as the final projected playoff team, tallying 57 points.
Rounding out the poll were Washington College (45), Muhlenberg (34), Ursinus (31), McDaniel (21) and Bryn Mawr (10) in seventh through 11th place, respectively.
First serve for the 2026 season is set for Tuesday, Sept. 1 with eight of the 11 CC teams competing on opening day. Centennial play begins on Saturday, Oct. 3, with the six-team CC playoffs slated for Nov. 11-13-15.
2026 Centennial Conference Volleyball Preseason Poll
| Rank | Institution (First-Place Votes) |
Points |
| 1. Johns Hopkins (7) |
97 |
| 2. Franklin & Marshall (3) |
90 |
| 3. Swarthmore (1) |
77 |
| 4. Haverford |
73 |
| 5. Gettysburg |
70 |
| 6. Dickinson |
57 |
| 7. Washington College |
45 |
| 8. Muhlenberg |
34 |
| 9. Ursinus |
31 |
| 10. McDaniel |
21 |
| 11. Bryn Mawr |
10 |
2026 Schedule | 2025 Championship Results | 2025 All-Centennial Team | History & Records
The 2025 campaign marked the fifth straight season and 12th time overall that the Centennial Conference sent multiple teams to the NCAA Tournament. CC champion Johns Hopkins advanced to the regional final before falling to eventual national runner-up La Verne in five sets, while CC runner-up Franklin & Marshall collected its first NCAA win since 2000 before being knocked out in round two.
Hopkins (27-5) and F&M (23-7) both reached the 20-win threshold in 2025 while Haverford (19-9), Gettysburg (19-10), Dickinson (18-11), Swarthmore (17-12) and Washington College (18-10) also sported winning records.
JHU has now overtaken Gettysburg as the all-time leader in CC titles with 12, followed by Gettysburg (11), F&M (6), Haverford (4) and McDaniel (3).
Key returners to the conference include three All-Americans, six All-Region and 17 All-Centennial performers. F&M right side hiitter Ceci Connolly, Swarthmore libero Melissa Eyer and Haverford outside hitter Elizabeth Cella highlight the list of returning players as 2025 AVCA Honorable Mention All-Americans. Eyer repeated as CC Defensive Player of the Year last fall and is a two-time first team All-CC pick entering her junior season. Cella is the reigning CC Rookie of the Year and became the 19th freshman in conference history to earn first team All-Centennial honors.
Joining the aforementioned All-American trio as returning All-Region picks are Haverford opposite hitter Gia Frank, Johns Hopkins libero Nicole Tuszynski and Swarthmore outside hitter Isabel Adam.
Six teams welcome back at least one All-CC honoree, led by Swarthmore with five. F&M, Haverford and Hopkins each bring back three all-stars while Dickinson has two and Washington College has one. Returning multi-time all-conference performers include Swarthmore's Eyer and Adam, Haverford's Frank, and Dickinson libero/defensive specialist Avery Butcher.
The American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Coaches' Top-25 Preseason Poll will be announced on Thursday, Aug. 27.
Returning All-Americans (3)
Ceci Connolly, Franklin & Marshall, Jr., RS (2025 Honorable Mention)
Elizabeth Cella, Haverford, So., OH (2025 Honorable Mention)
Melissa Eyer, Swarthmore, Jr., L (2025 Honorable Mention)
Returning All-Region (6)
Ceci Connolly, Franklin & Marshall, Jr., RS (2025 First Team)
Elizabeth Cella, Haverford, So., OH (2025 First Team)
Gia Frank, Haverford, Sr., OPP (2024 Honorable Mention)
Nicole Tuszynski, Johns Hopkins, Jr., L (2025 Honorable Mention)
Melissa Eyer, Swarthmore, Jr., L (2025 First Team, 2024 Freshman of the Year)
Isabel Adam, Swarthmore, Jr., OH (2025 Honorable Mention)
Returning All-Centennial (17)
Avery Butcher, Dickinson, Jr., L/DS (2025 Second Team, 2024 Second Team)
Mallie Thomas, Dickinson, Jr., OH (2025 First Team)
Ceci Connolly, Franklin & Marshall, Jr., RS (2025 First Team)
Melissa Benkowitz, Franklin & Marshall, Sr., OH (2025 Honorable Mention)
Avery Grantham, Franklin & Marshall, Jr., MH (2024 Honorable Mention)
Gia Frank, Haverford, Sr., OPP (2025 Honorable Mention, 2024 Second Team)
Elizabeth Cella, Haverford, So., OH (2025 Rookie OTY & First Team)
Fiona Moord, Haverford, Jr., MB (2025 Second Team)
Nicole Tuszynski, Johns Hopkins, Jr., L (2025 Second Team)
Celine Ebert, Johns Hopkins, So., OPP (2025 Honorable Mention)
Ivy Swafford, Johns Hopkins, Sr., OPP (2024 Honorable Mention)
Alexia Enache, Swarthmore, Sr., OH (2024 First Team)
Melissa Eyer, Swarthmore, Jr., L (2025 Defensive POTY & First Team, 2024 Defensive POTY, Rookie OTY & First Team)
Emily Sun, Swarthmore, Sr., S (2024 Second Team)
Isabel Adam, Swarthmore, Jr., OH (2025 Second Team, 2024 Honorable Mention)
Keira Miles, Swarthmore, Jr., OPP (2025 Honorable Mention)
Anna Titter, Washington College, Sr., L (2025 Honorable Mention)
