CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – The American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) has announced its 2025 women’s volleyball preseason coaches’ poll, and defending regular-season champion Coe College has been picked to repeat. The Kohawks earned 62 points and six first-place votes to edge the University of Dubuque, which garnered 53 points and two first-place nods. Nebraska Wesleyan and Wartburg tied for third with 45 points each, while Central rounded out the top five with 41 points. 

The 2025 season officially begins on Friday, August 29 when all nine programs take the court. The A-R-C schedule kicks off on Tuesday, September 23 and will run through Wednesday, November 5. The A-R-C Women’s Volleyball Tournament will begin with first round action on Tuesday, November 11, followed by the semifinal round on Thursday, November 13. The tournament championship will be on Saturday, November 15, and the champion will receive the league’s automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament. 
 

2025 American Rivers Conference Women’s Volleyball Preseason Coaches’ Poll
Place	Team (First-place votes)	Points
1.	Coe (6)	62
2.	Univ. of Dubuque (2)	53
T-3.	Nebraska Wesleyan	45
T-3.	Wartburg (1)	45
5.	Central	41
6.	Loras	28
7.	Simpson	26
8.	Buena Vista	15
9.	Luther	9

The Coe College Kohawks return a veteran group led by 2024 all-conference honorees Maddy Maahs, Kelsey Hansel, and Maggie Furlong, along with 2024 Rookie of the Year Tessa Casebolt. First-year head coach April Elsbernd takes over after the program’s 23-8 campaign and 7-1 A-R-C record last fall and is familiar with the A-R-C. With a deep senior class and a challenging non-conference slate, Coe aims to defend its title.
“I'm extremely grateful to be back in the A-R-C at my alma mater, and to have the opportunity to coach this very determined and experienced group of seniors,” added Elsbernd. “We are looking forward to a tough non-conference schedule and to rise to the challenge of playing one of the most competitive American Rivers Conference seasons in recent history. The Kohawk returners and first-years are excited and ready to get the 2025 season started!”

Fresh off a 24-10 (6-2 A-R-C) season that included a conference tournament title and an NCAA tournament berth, the University of Dubuque brings back a loaded lineup. Returning all-conference standouts Taylor Bechen, Delainey Winkel, and Payton Uptagraft headline the group, with experienced starters at nearly every position. Head coach Karrah Davis enters her second year with high expectations, noting her team’s motivation following last year’s postseason run.
"We are looking forward to another great season of competition in the A-R-C,” said Davis. “After an exciting run in the NCAA tournament last year, our returners are more motivated than ever. We had a great spring and are excited for our newcomers to join us!!"

Nebraska Wesleyan University went 21-9 (5-3 A-R-C) in 2024, tying for third in the league standings. The Prairie Wolves return three all-conference performers in setter Elecea Saathoff, opposite Molly Ramirez, and outside hitter Kobie Patten. Veteran head coach Rayna Cain believes her team’s experienced leadership and talented newcomers will be crucial in navigating another balanced and challenging A-R-C schedule.
“The team is fired up and ready to start the season against another strong and balance conference,” added Cain. “Along with some talented newcomers, we are excited about the strong experienced leadership returning for the 2025 season. Our conference will once again be tough, top to bottom this season and we look forward to the challenge.”

Wartburg College posted an 18-12 (5-3 A-R-C) record last season. The Knights return key starters Sophie Sedgwick, Liv Anderson, and Peyton Robinson, along with a talented sophomore group that includes Anna Sash and Kaylee Koudelka. First year head coach DeAnn Akins is familiar with the league and looks to build the Knights up and guide them through a challenging non-conference and conference season. 
 
“The 2025 squad and coaches are really looking forward to another super competitive A-R-C season,” wrote Akins! “We have a lot of fun match-ups throughout our non-conference schedule as well, which will allow us to battle through adversity and try different things.  Our returners will provide great leadership and accountability while our incoming freshmen will bring fresh new energy and challenge us to become better every day, both on and off the court.”

Central College went 20-9 (5-3 A-R-C) in 2024. With all-conference honorees Colleen Kenney and Kaitlyn Mumm back, along with veteran hitters and setters, ninth-year head coach Jeanne Czipri is aiming to continue the program’s upward trajectory. She expects her team’s mix of experienced leaders and new contributors to make for another exciting season.
“Every year brings a new group of young women who own unique strengths and talents,” added Czipri. “We have some kids with valuable experience that will be expected to serve as the foundation and stable ground for us to build on. We have a lot of great pieces that have the ability to do some great things… and, as always, it will be a work in progress to see which pieces work best together and where to help us accomplish some of our goals.  We are eager to continue to create an amazing experience that allows each individual and our team as a whole to be the best versions of themselves. And we are hopeful that we can see the steady and incremental positive progress we have had over the last few years continue to trend upward toward some special moments. Excited to get started and see what we can do!”

Loras College finished 16-15 (4-4 A-R-C) a year ago and return their largest senior class in more than a decade. All-conference selections Autumn Finch, Sophie Younkin, and Cat Meyer lead a group of six returning starters. Head coach Kristy Duncan is eager to see how the experienced roster blends with a strong incoming freshman class to push the program forward in 2025.
"We are excited to get back in the gym this fall with a large group of returners, and the largest senior class we've seen in our program in more than a decade,” said Duncan. “It has been fun to watch this group grow and mature over the past few years. We are also looking forward to welcoming a strong freshman class that will push our returners and continue to increase the level of competition in our gym on a daily basis.  There is a lot of returning talent in our league, and It should be another exciting year of competition in the A-R-C." 

New head coach Danielle Kohut Lynch inherits a Simpson College squad that went 9-16 (3-5 A-R-C) in 2024 and returns all-conference outside hitter Emily Williams. The Storm bring back a solid core, including senior middle Peyton Mitchell and setter Morgan DenBeste. With a competitive mindset, Simpson looks to climb the standings in an increasingly deep league.
“The conference is getting better and better every year, and I am very excited to be back in the A-R-C with this group of young women,” added Kohut Lynch. “We have a great core leadership group returning and after this Spring season they made it very evident that they are ready to put in the work this fall. We know every conference match is going to be a dog fight, and we are ready to start the season.”

Head coach Will Baumann enters his fourth season aiming to turn the tide after a 5-20 (0-8 A-R-C) campaign with Buena Vista University. The Beavers return five starters, including setter Merced Ramirez and outside hitter Reese Nieuwenhuis, and welcome a promising incoming class. 
"The A-R-C looks to be very strong this season,” wrote Baumann. “BVU is working hard to flip the script from the past two seasons.  We're very pleased with the progress our players are making and with the talent of the incoming class.  Overall, conference play will be very competitive night in and night out.  We look forward to the challenge of high-level competition and the opportunity to grow and build our program.  Our athletes have worked intensely to build the culture we believe will be successful."

Arturo Diaz begins his first season as head coach at Luther College, taking over a team that went 5-24 (1-7 A-R-C) last fall. The Norse return several key pieces, including senior outside hitter Annika Franzen, and will look to blend youthful energy with experienced leadership as they navigate a demanding conference slate.
“We are excited to start the 2025 season both in the A-R-C and for our non-conference schedule, “said Diaz. “We have a lot of great leaders and motivated returners coming back to our program, complementing a strong incoming class for the 2025 season. We are excited to compete against great teams this upcoming season."