HELENA, Mont. – Following back-to-back regular season and tournament championships, the Frontier Conference has announced that the University of Providence has been tabbed as the favorites in 2026 by the Frontier Conference Coaches' Poll.

The Argos received nine first-place votes and 118 points, placing them just five points ahead of Bellevue (Neb.), which collected the other three first-place votes and finished with 113 points.

The narrow margin establishes Providence and Bellevue as the early headliners in a 12-team conference race, where both teams met in last year's Frontier Conference postseason tournament's championship match. Both UP and BU also advanced to the NAIA national tournament's quarterfinals.

Head Coach Arunas Duda on the preseason poll stated, "We're honored to be picked first in the preseason poll, but we know those rankings are largely based on what we've accomplished in the past. Winning back-to-back Frontier Conference championships has set a high standard for our program, and our players understand that nothing is given in this league. We have a huge target on our backs, and we'll have to earn everything we accomplish through our preparation, discipline, and daily commitment. Our leadership and experience give us confidence, but our focus is on improving every day and playing our best volleyball when it matters most. We're excited for the challenge ahead and grateful for the respect our peers have shown our program."
 
The Argos will open their season at the Paradise Volleyball Classic in Oahu, Hawaii where they will face Indiana Tech, Oklahoma Wesleyan, and Doane University at the Shark Tank on Aug. 14-15.
 

2026 Frontier Conference Women's Volleyball Coaches' Preseason Poll
1	Providence (Mont.) (9)	118
2	Bellevue (Neb.) (3)	113
3	Montana Tech	97
4	Dakota State (S.D.)	87
5	Carroll (Mont.)	80
6	Montana Western	65
7	MSU-Northern	63
8	Valley City State (N.D.)	51
9	Dickinson State (N.D.)	49
10	Bismarck State (N.D.)	33
11	Mayville State (N.D.)	20
12	Rocky Mountain (Mont.)	16