ARLINGTON, Texas — The Western Athletic Conference announced its annual coaches' poll Tuesday afternoon, with Utah Valley picked second and receiving one first-place vote. Four teams received first-place votes in the poll.
 
It marks the second time in three years that UVU has been selected second, tying the program's highest preseason placement in WAC history after also being picked second in 2024 with one first-place vote.
 
Abilene Christian earned three first-place votes and 33 total points to top the poll of the league's seven coaches. Utah Valley followed with 29 points, while California Baptist received 27 and one first-place vote, with Sacramento State earning 22 points and two first-place votes.
 
Tarleton State, Utah Tech, and UT Arlington rounded out the poll. Utah Tech's Ryan Kroepel was named Preseason Player of the Year, while California Baptist ace Cody New was selected as Preseason Pitcher of the Year.
 
Utah Valley was also featured in several national preseason publications. D1Baseball projected the Wolverines to finish third in the WAC and named senior catcher Mason Strong its Preseason Player of the Year. The outlet did not release a full Preseason All-WAC team but published a top prospects list that included five Wolverines: Landon Zaborowski (No. 3), Strong (No. 10), Quinn Holt (No. 12), Colton Kennedy (No. 17) and Kaden Carpenter (No. 22) in the 2026 class.
 
Perfect Game did not project an order of finish but named Iverson its Preseason Player of the Year and selected him to the outfield. He was joined by Strong at catcher and Carpenter in the outfield. In Perfect Game's 2026 draft prospect rankings, Zaborowski was listed as the No. 3 overall prospect, alongside Trenton Rowan (No. 5) and Jacob Heppner (No. 6). Freshman Josh Mawhinney earned the top ranking in the class of 2028.
 
The Wolverines open the 2026 season Friday, Feb. 13, at 7 p.m. MT / 6 p.m. PT against Pacific. The series will air on ESPN+.