Northwestern Opens as Preseason No. 1 for First Time

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – After a GPAC title and a run to the national championship last year, the Northwestern volleyball team enters the season at No. 1 in the NAIA Preseason Coaches' Poll. It is the first time in program history that Northwestern has topped the preseason national rankings.

The Red Raiders return to the No. 1 spot in the poll for the first time since November 13, 2024.

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 has been ranked in 69 consecutive NAIA top 25 polls dating back to the 2016 season, which is second in the nation behind Eastern Oregon.

The full results of the NAIA Coaches' Poll are linked at the top of the story.

GPAC IN THE TOP 25
No. 1 Northwestern Red Raiders
No. 3 Concordia (Neb.) Bulldogs
No. 16 Dakota Wesleyan Tigers
No. 20 Midland Warriors

Don't forget to follow Northwestern College Athletics on Facebook @nwcraiders, Twitter @nwcraiders, and Instagram @nwcraiders! #RaidersStandOut

Print Friendly Version

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