McLean County Times

Illinois Wesleyan has been selected as the preseason favorite to win the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) in women’s volleyball for 2025, according to the league’s annual coaches poll released Tuesday.

The Titans, who are both the reigning CCIW regular season and tournament champions, received all eight available first-place votes and finished with 64 points. Millikin placed second in the poll with 54 points and earned Illinois Wesleyan's top vote. Carthage was third with 51 points.

North Central ranked fifth with 37 points, followed by North Park at 34 points. Elmhurst is projected sixth after earning 30 points. Augustana (23), Wheaton (19), and Carroll (12) rounded out the seventh through ninth spots.

Illinois Wesleyan will open its season at home in Shirk Center, which is also set to host the 2025 NCAA Division III Women’s Volleyball National Championship. The team will hold three home tournaments this year, beginning by hosting Earlham College, Greenville University, and University of Chicago on August 29-30. The Titans start their season against Earlham at 6 p.m. on Friday night, August 29.

The full results of the preseason coaches’ poll are:

1. Illinois Wesleyan (8 first-place votes), 64 points

2. Millikin (1 first-place vote), 54 points

3. Carthage, 51 points

4. North Central, 37 points

5. North Park, 34 points

6. Elmhurst, 30 points

7. Augustana, 23 points

8. Wheaton, 19 points

9. Carroll, 12 points