Dave Shondell's team is going to enter the 2026 season ranked inside the top 10. On Monday, the AVCA Preseason Poll was released and Purdue was listed at No. 9. The Boilermakers are one of four teams to crack the top 10 in the initial rankings.Purdue returns 71% of its offensive production from a team that went 27-7 last season and made a run to the regional final of the NCAA Tournament. Some of the top returners include National Player of the Year candidates outside hitter Kenna Wollard, setter Taylor Anderson and opposite hitter Grace Heaney.The Boilers also bring back starting libero Ryan McAleer, middle blocker Dior Charles and defensive specialist Sienna Foster. Purdue also added transfers Mimi Mambu (Georgia Tech) and Kate Hansen (Clemson), both expected to have an impact.Here's a look at the complete top 25 to start the 2026 college volleyball season:Nebraska CornhuskersTexas LonghornsKentucky WildcatsPitt PanthersStanford CardinalWisconsin BadgersLouisville CardinalsTexas A&M AggiesPurdue BoilermakersPenn State Nittany LionsSMU MustangsArizona State Sun DevilsCreighton BluejaysMinnesota Golden GophersKansas JayhawksIndiana HoosiersFlorida GatorsTCU Horned FrogsNorth Carolina Tar HeelsUSC TrojansBaylor BearsTennessee VolunteersColorado BuffaloesBYU CougarsOregon DucksIn the Big Ten Preseason Poll, Purdue was picked to finish fourth, behind Nebraska, Wisconsin and Penn State.Boilers open with tough four-game stretchPurdue Boilermakers middle blocker Dior Charles (9) chest bumps outside hitter Addy Tindall (18). | USA TODAY Network via Reuters ConnectIt was already understood that Purdue was going to have a tough four-game slate to begin the 2026 season. That's only been reinforced with the release of the preseason poll.Three of Purdue's first four matches will be against teams ranked in the top 20 of the AVCA Preseason Poll. The Boilermakers open the season against No. 13 Creighton in Sioux Falls, S.D., a match that will be played on Friday, Aug. 28 and will air on FOX.On Sept. 1, the Boilers return to West Lafayette for the Big Ten-SEC Challenge and will host reigning national champion and No. 8 Texas A&M at Mackey Arena. The following night, Purdue will play Georgia.Shondell's squad will then round out the tough stretch on Sunday, Sept. 6, against No. 18 TCU, a match that will be played at Holloway Gymnasium, Purdue's traditional home court.In total, Purdue will play 11 matches against teams that are ranked in the AVCA Preseason Poll. It's an opportunity for the Boilers to make a strong statement in 2026.Get top Boilermakers stories, expert analysis, and can't-miss moments straight to your inbox for free by signing up for the Purdue Boilermakers on SI newsletter!Add us as a preferred source on GoogleFollow