No. 21-ranked Baylor Volleyball looks to extend best era in program history in 2026

For Baylor Volleyball, the 2026 season is the next step in the best era in program history. For 10 straight years, the program has reached the NCAA Tournament — a decade filled with postseason runs, program firsts, all-conference performers, and consistent national recognition under head coach Ryan McGuyre.

The last 10 years includes a Final Four finish in 2019 and four Sweet 16 appearances. This year’s squad begins the year in position to continue those superlatives, beginning the season ranked No. 21 nationally and picked to finish in the upper echelon (No. 4) of the competitive Big 12 Conference.

Sophomore outside hitter Ksenia Rakhmanchik is the headliner for the youthful team after her selection to the All-Big 12 preseason team. An All-Big 12 first-team and rookie-team honoree as a freshman, the Belarus native finished last year in the top 10 in the conference in both kills and points. Also among the squad’s veteran returners are senior middle blocker Victoria Davis, who finished in the top 10 in the Big 12 in hitting percentage, and senior setter Harley Greek, who was among the conference’s top 10 in assists last year.

The Bears begin the season this Friday in the Hawaiian Airlines Wahine Volleyball Classic in Honolulu. (They should feel right at home in an arena whose design is a near-identical replica of the Ferrell Center.) Their challenging non-conference schedule includes UNT in the home opener on Sept. 3, along with No. 17 Florida two days later at the Ferrell Center. They’ll also play No. 1 Nebraska in Lincoln on Sept. 11 before embarking on a Big 12 schedule that includes five more top-25 teams. Tickets for the home schedule are available now!

Sic ’em, Baylor Volleyball!