Major Conference Realignment in Women's Volleyball

Recent conference realignment in women's volleyball is set to significantly impact the sport, with five of the last nine national champions—Texas, Stanford, UCLA, Washington, and Southern California—switching conferences. This offseason has required coaches and teams to adapt to new rivals, emphasizing the need for deeper film study to understand different playing styles. The season kicks off with notable matchups, including Nebraska against Kentucky and Wisconsin against Louisville, all ranked in the AVCA preseason poll. The sport's popularity is surging, with record attendances last season and 1.7 million viewers for the NCAA final. Texas's move to the SEC enhances the conference's stature, now holding three of the last four national championships, while the Big Ten strengthens its reputation by adding several powerhouse schools. Overall, the landscape of women's volleyball is evolving as teams prepare for a competitive season ahead.