St. Thomas Picked to Repeat as Men's Volleyball Champion

WALESKA, Ga. - St. Thomas is favored to win the 2026 Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Men's Volleyball championship, according to the AAC Coaches' Poll released on Tuesday.

The poll was voted on by the men's volleyball coaches of the AAC.

This is the fourth season that men's volleyball is a championship sport in the AAC.

St. Thomas received five of the six first-place votes to earn the top spot with 47 points. St. Thomas won both the 2025 regular-season and tournament championships. The Bobcats went 13-0 in league play and advanced to the NAIA National Championship Tournament, making their way to the semifinal round to end the year 25-2.

Reinhardt picked up the remaining first-place vote and garnered 42 points. Life (31 points), Webber International (30 points), and Bluefield (24 points)

Reinhardt and Webber International shared the 2024 regular-season title with both going 11-1. Reinhardt went on to win the AAC Tournament and advanced to the NAIA National Championship Tournament.

Reinhardt received six of the eight first-place votes cast in amassing 77 voting points. Webber International is second, picking up one first-place vote and 71 voting points.

Life (59 voting points), St. Thomas (58 voting points), and Warner (44 voting points) round out the top five. St. Thomas collected a first-place vote as well.

The 2026 AAC Tournament is set for April 16-18 in Kingsport, Tenn.

The 2026 AAC Men's Volleyball Preseason Poll
Team (1st-Place Votes) - Total Points
1. St. Thomas (5) - 47
2. Reinhardt (1) - 42
3. Life - 31
4. Webber International - 30
5. Bluefield - 24
6. Warner - 20
7. Truett McConnell - 12
8. Carolina - 10