KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Vanguard (Calif.), the 2023 defending champions, land the No. 1 spot in the preseason edition of the Coaches' Top 15 Rating. This is the fourth time that the Lions have been ranked No. 1. Many teams landed similarly to how they finished at the national championship in 2023 while Jamestown (N.D.) moved into the Top 15 after receiving votes in the final regular-season poll in the previous season. 

Rating Methodology

• The rating was rated by a panel of head coaches. There are two coaches representing each of the conferences/Continental Athletic Conference (Independents)/unaffiliated groups.
• The Coaches' Top 15 is determined by a points system based on how each voter ranks the best teams. A team receives 20 points for each first-place vote, 19 for second place and so on through the list.
• The highest and lowest ranking for each team (a non-rating is considered a low rating) is removed and the team's ranking will be recalculated with an additional point added to each team for every ballot (including discounted ballots) that the teams appear on.
• Teams that receive only one point on the ballot are not considered "receiving votes"
• For the complete men's volleyball ratings calendar, CLICK HERE.

Receiving Votes: Arizona Christian 56; Westcliff 56; Reinhardt (Ga.) 45; Missouri Valley 31; Campbellsville (Ky.) 20; Mount Vernon Nazarene (Ohio) 14; Warner (Fla.) 8; Ottawa (Kan.) 6; Hope International (Calif.) 4; Judson (Ill.) 4