Dupage Policy Journal

Reigning College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) women’s volleyball champion Illinois Wesleyan has been named the top team in the 2025 CCIW preseason coaches’ poll. The Titans received eight first-place votes and a total of 64 points.

Illinois Wesleyan is coming off a season where it won both the CCIW regular-season and tournament championships. This marks the third time since 2018 that IWU has been selected as the preseason favorite in women’s volleyball. Last year, the team advanced to the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament for only the second time in its history.

Millikin was ranked second in this year’s poll, securing one first-place vote and 54 points. The Big Blue finished second in last season’s league standings and reached the CCIW Tournament championship match. Millikin also joined Illinois Wesleyan in advancing to last season’s NCAA Sweet Sixteen.

Carthage was picked third by conference coaches with 51 points after tying Millikin for second place in league play last year with a 6-2 record. North Central earned fourth place with 37 points, while North Park followed closely behind with 34 points.

Elmhurst took sixth place with 30 points, Augustana was seventh at 23 points, Wheaton placed eighth with 19 points, and Carroll rounded out the poll at ninth with 12 points.

The upcoming regular season begins Friday, Aug. 29, when all nine CCIW teams will compete across seven states. Conference play starts on Wednesday, Sept. 19.

"IWU advanced to the Sweet Sixteen of last season’s NCAA Tournament for just the second time in program history."