League Coaches’ Poll Projects Statesmen to Place Ninth

Oskaloosa–The Statesmen women’s volleyball team is expected to finish near the middle of the league standings this fall as the 2025 Heart of America Athletic Conference Coaches’ Poll was released Thursday.

WPU, which was 18-16 (8-10) last year, is picked to place ninth with 110 points.

The conference headliner is Missouri Baptist with 205 points and 10 first place votes. Benedictine comes in at No. 2 in the league with 200 points and two first-place votes, while Central Methodist starts in third with 199 points and one first-place ballot. Park rounds out the clubs receiving first-place votes as it holds 184 points and two top votes.

MidAmerica Nazarene (168), Grand View (140), Mount Mercy (139), and Missouri Valley (111) claim the 5-8 positions, while William Woods (98), Baker (77), Peru State (72), Culver Stockton (42), Clarke (40), and Graceland (21) conclude the poll.

Top eight teams at the end of the regular season will earn a bid into the Heart Championship which runs from November 8-15.

William Penn opens its Heart schedule on September 3 by hosting Culver-Stockton at 7 p.m.

2025 Heart Preseason Coaches’ Poll
(First Place Votes)
1. Missouri Baptist–205 (10)
2. Benedictine–200 (2)
3. Central Methodist–199 (1)
4. Park–184 (2)
5. MidAmerica Nazarene–186
6. Grand View–140
7. Mount Mercy–139
8. Missouri Valley–111
9. William Penn–110
10. William Woods–92
11. Baker–77
12. Peru State–72
13. Culver-Stockton–42
14. Clarke–40
15. Graceland–21