Wichita State's Jordan Heatherly was selected to the American Conference preseason all-conference team as the Shockers were picked fourth in the conference preseason coaches poll, the conference announced Wednesday afternoon.
 
The senior setter from Western Springs, Ill. snagged a spot on the preseason all-conference team after finishing third in the conference in total assists with 1,020 and fourth in assists per set with 8.95 last season. Heatherly started all 30 matches for the Shockers in 2025, appearing in all 114 sets, and recorded 33 service aces, good for second on the team. In the American Conference semifinal against Rice, Heatherly recorded a season-high 57 assists and 15 digs.
 
Wichita State, coming off a 19-11 season, including a 10-6 record in conference play, is set to face Kansas City in a home exhibition on Saturday, Aug. 22 at 1 p.m. in Charles Koch Arena before opening the season at home against Stephen F. Austin on Friday, Aug. 28 at 6 p.m. in the Shocker Volleyball Classic.
 
Reigning regular season champion, Rice, was picked to win the American Conference, while 2025 conference tournament champion, Tulsa, was selected second and South Florida came in at No. 3 in the coaches poll. Jill Hanson of Tulsa was named the American Conference Preseason Player of the Year.
 
Season tickets and single-match tickets are available for purchase at GoShockers.com/Tickets or by calling the Shocker Ticket Office at (316) 978-FANS. Fans can also purchase tickets in person at the Shocker Ticket Office in Charles Koch Arena Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. or on game day, starting one hour before the match.

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2026 American Conference Volleyball Preseason Coaches Poll

1.	Rice (12)	144
2.	Tulsa (1)	120
3.	South Florida	117
4.	Wichita State	111
5.	Florida Atlantic	106
6.	North Texas	78
7.	UTSA	73
8.	East Carolina	71
9.	Charlotte	64
10.	Memphis	45
11.	Temple	36
12.	Tulane	26
13.	UAB	23

 
2026 American Conference Preseason Player of the Year
Jill Hanson, So., MB, Tulsa
 
2026 American Conference Volleyball Preseason All-Conference
Angeles Alderete, 5th, OH, East Carolina
Taryn Gilreath, Jr., S, East Carolina
Olivia Hart, Jr., OH, Florida Atlantic
Amanda Hardt, Sr., OH/RS, Memphis
Loredana Fouonji, 5th, MB, North Texas
Kaia Mateo, Sr., S, Rice
Aaliyah Smith, So., OH, Rice
Arissa Smith, Sr., MB, Rice
Laila Ivey, Sr., OH, South Florida
Christiana Greene, Jr., OH, Temple
Avery Burks, Sr., OH, Tulane
Jill Hanson, So., MB, Tulsa
Olivia Vance, Sr., OH, Tulsa
Jordan Heatherly, Sr., S, Wichita State