New York, NY| The St. Joseph's University (L.I.) men's volleyball team was selected to repeat as champions for the fifth season in a row, according to the Skyline Conference's 2026 Preseason Coaches Poll released Friday afternoon by the conference office.

The Golden Eagles received six of a possible eight first-place votes to finish with 48 points, while Manhattanville collected two first-place votes to take second place with 73 points. 

Purchase rounded out the top three with 36 points, Sarah Lawrence places fourth with 28 points, and the Bears of St. Joseph's (BK) garnered received 25 points placing fifth.

2025 Skyline Coach of the Year Bill Kropp enters his tenth season as head coach of the Golden Eagles as they are coming off a 2025 campaign, where they would repeat as Skyline Conference Champions for the fourth year in a row and would go on to make their sixth NCAA tournament appearance, making it to the second round of regional, falling to the reigning Division III NCAA Champions Southern Virginia.
 
All four All-Conference members have graduated, St. Joseph's returns 18 Golden Eagles, including Logan Meyer (167 kills, 123 digs, 18 total blocks, and 16 assists), AJ Esposito (78 kills, 45 total blocks, and 16 digs), Dominic Ruggiero (153 assists, 117 digs, and 11 kills), Conor Ruais, Cole Violi, and Chris Sarnicola. All six members have been key parts of the team's success and championship win.

The Golden Eagles add three newcomers, all looking to make an immediate impact.

St. Joseph's enters this season looking to build on last year's success. The Golden Eagles began their 2026 campaign on the road with a non-conference tri-match against Drew and Stevens on Friday, Jan. 16. 
 

2026 Men's Volleyball Preseason Poll

Rank, School, Pts., (First-Place Votes)

1. St. Joseph's - Long Island, 48 (6)

2. Manhattanville, 43 (2)

3. Purchase, 36

4. Sarah Lawrence, 28

5. St. Joseph's-Brooklyn, 25

6. Mount St. Vincent, 21

7. Old Westbury, 16

8. Yeshiva, 7