BOCA RATON, Fla. - The Lynn University volleyball team was selected fourth in the 2026 Sunshine State Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll, as announced by the league Thursday afternoon.
The Fighting Knights received 39 points in the poll, trailing preseason favorite Tampa, Barry and Palm Beach Atlantic. Tampa collected nine of the 11 first-place votes and 11 points, while Barry received the remaining two first-place votes and 19 points. Palm Beach Atlantic was third with 31 points.
Nova Southeastern rounded out the top five with 47 points, followed by Eckerd (56), Florida Tech (57), Embry-Riddle (73), Florida Southern (83), Rollins (89) and Saint Leo (100).
Thursday's announcement comes just three days after Lynn was ranked No. 18 in the AVCA-TARAFLEX Division II Women's Volleyball Preseason Poll. The Fighting Knights received 350 points in the national poll.
Lynn is one of three SSC programs ranked in the AVCA preseason top 25, joining No. 2 Tampa and No. 6 Barry. Palm Beach Atlantic and Nova Southeastern also received votes in the national poll.
The Fighting Knights enter their first season under head coach
Travis Nichols, who was promoted in March after spending six seasons as an assistant coach with the program. During his time on the Lynn staff, the Fighting Knights have made six consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, highlighted by the program's first NCAA Division II National Championship in 2024.
Lynn finished the 2025 season with a 22-10 overall record and an 11-9 mark in SSC play. The Fighting Knights earned their sixth consecutive NCAA Tournament berth and advanced to the NCAA South Region semifinals after defeating sixth-seeded UAH in five sets in the opening round.
Lynn opens the 2026 season at the Sandy Hoffman Memorial Tournament in Waltham, Massachusetts. The Fighting Knights face Central Missouri and Grand Valley State on Friday, Aug. 28 before closing the opening weekend against host and No. 22 Bentley on Saturday, Aug. 29.
The Fighting Knights make their home debut on Friday, Sept. 11 against Trevecca Nazarene as part of the Hyatt Place Bash at the Beach at the de Hoernle Sports Center.
