ST. LOUIS, Mo. – The Drake University volleyball team was picked third in the 2025 MVC Preseason Poll, the league announced this morning. The Bulldogs, along with Illinois State, each tallied 95 points in the poll.
 
Drake senior Macy Daufeldt also garnered a selection to the preseason All-MVC team. The West Liberty, Iowa, native had a decorated 2024 season earning MVC Co-Player of the Year, All-MVC First Team, and AVCA All-American Honorable Mention accolades. She led Drake with 484 kills and 34 service aces, while totaling a team-high 560.5 points. On the defensive side, Daufeldt recorded 336 digs and registered 68 total blocks leading to 20 double-double performances,

Defending league champion UNI was tabbed as the preseason favorite in the Missouri Valley Conference with 10 of 11 possible first-place votes and 120 overall points. The Flames of UIC got one first-place vote and 107 points to slot in at second.
 
The Bulldogs begin their season the weekend of August 29-30 at the WKU Invitational from Bowling Green, Kentucky. Drake opens up with a doubleheader against Loyola-Chicago and Wright State on Friday, the 29th, and wraps up the tournament facing host institution Western Kentucky on Saturday, the 30th.