SAINT MARY-OF-THE-WOODS, Ind. — Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College women's volleyball was picked to finish second in the 2026 River States Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll.
The Pomeroys received 69 points and one first-place vote, finishing behind preseason favorite Indiana University Kokomo. The Cougars earned 80 points and eight first-place votes.
The University of Rio Grande was selected third with 68 points and one first-place vote. Indiana University East and Indiana University Southeast rounded out the top five.
SMWC enters the 2026 season following one of the most successful campaigns in program history. The Pomeroys finished 30-6 in 2025, earned the No. 2 seed in the RSC Tournament and advanced to the conference semifinals.
The Pomeroys have recorded 116 victories over the past four seasons, tying for the seventh-most wins among NAIA programs during that span.
SMWC returns outside hitter
Karla Melendez Martinez, who became the second female NAIA All-American in College history and the fourth NAIA All-American overall after receiving third-team recognition in 2025.
Melendez Martinez was also named the Mid-South Region Player of the Year and RSC Player of the Year after a record-breaking junior season. She earned NAIA All-Region First Team and First Team All-RSC honors.
The Pomeroys will open the 2026 regular season Aug. 14-15 at the Huntington Invitational before competing at the Mount Mary Invitational on Aug. 21-22.
SMWC will make its home debut Aug. 28-30 when it hosts the Showdown in the Woods presented by the Terre Haute Convention & Visitors Bureau inside the Jeanne Knoerle Sports and Recreation Center.
River States Conference play begins Sept. 11 when the Pomeroys host Rio Grande for a White Out match. SMWC will also host IU Kokomo for a Blue Out match Sept. 15.
Homecoming Weekend will feature conference matches against IU Columbus on Oct. 2 and IU Southeast on Oct. 3. The Pomeroys will close their regular-season home schedule against Brescia University on Nov. 6 for Senior Night.
The River States Conference Tournament is scheduled to begin Nov. 10, with the top eight teams in the conference standings qualifying for postseason play.
2026 River States Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll
- IU Kokomo — 80 points, eight first-place votes
- Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College — 69 points, one first-place vote
- Rio Grande — 68 points, one first-place vote
- IU East — 52 points
- IU Southeast — 50 points
- IU Columbus — 47 points
- WVU Tech — 29 points
- Kentucky Christian — 19 points
T-9. Brescia — 18 points
T-9. Midway — 18 points
