Raider Volleyball Picked as Favorites in GPAC Preseason Poll

SIOUX CITY, Iowa – Following Northwestern volleyball's third consecutive GPAC regular season and postseason titles in 2025, the Raiders have been selected to once again claim the league's top spot this season.

Last year, the Raiders' season ended in the national championship match for the second time in the last three seasons. Northwestern ran the table in conference play, going a perfect 16-0 and dropping just four sets in the regular season against GPAC foes. Coach Kyle Van Den Bosch's squad was led by depth and senior leadership, highlighted by NAIA Defender of the Year Zavyr Metzger.

Returning this season is the 2025 GPAC Player of the Year in Stella Winterfeld, who was also a First Team All-American, was third in the GPAC in kills, and had a career-high 24 kills in the conference opener at Dordt. Eight rotation players are back this year, as Winterfeld is joined by all-conference selections Maddy Sampson, Nyah Potthoff, and Sidney Oostra.

Northwestern collected 120 points and 10 first-place votes in the poll. Concordia (Neb.) was tabbed at second place in the poll with two first-place votes. Dakota Wesleyan followed in third, and Midland rounded out the top four. A vote from the league's head coaches determined the results. Coaches could not vote for their own team.

Here are the full results of the GPAC Preseason Coaches' Poll:
1. Northwestern – 120 pts. (10 first-place votes)
2. Concordia – 109 pts. (2 first-place votes)
3. Dakota Wesleyan – 96 pts.
4. Midland – 93 pts.
5. Dordt – 80 pts.
6. College of Saint Mary – 68 pts.
7. Morningside – 67 pts.
8. Mount Marty – 41 pts.
9. Briar Cliff – 40 pts.
10. Hastings – 33 pts.
11. Doane – 28 pts.
12. Waldorf – 17 pts.

Northwestern begins its season on August 21 at the Hope International Summer Slam in Anaheim, California.

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Players Mentioned

#10 Zavyr Metzger: MH; 6' 1"; Senior

#4 Sidney Oostra: OH; 5' 10"; Sophomore

#8 Maddy Sampson: MH; 6' 1"; Sophomore

#5 Stella Winterfeld: OH; 5' 9"; Junior

#2 Nyah Potthoff: S; 5' 9"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#10 Zavyr Metzger
: 6' 1"; Senior
: MH

#4 Sidney Oostra
: 5' 10"; Sophomore
: OH

#8 Maddy Sampson
: 6' 1"; Sophomore
: MH

#5 Stella Winterfeld
: 5' 9"; Junior
: OH

#2 Nyah Potthoff
: 5' 9"; Freshman
: S