Chicago, Ill. - Illinois Tech women's volleyball isn't entering the 2026 season with flashy numbers or bold declarations. Instead, the Scarlet Hawks are bringing something far more durable: maturity. After a 2025 campaign that ended with a deep conference tournament run and a Final Four appearance, Head Coach Mark Johnston believes his team's experience—and the lessons learned under pressure—will define the months ahead.

"We're not as big as we have been in terms of roster size in the past, but who we have is just solid," Johnston said. With five returning starters and a bench that saw significant action last season, the Scarlet Hawks enter the fall with composure, cohesion, and a clear sense of who they are.

A Team That's Been Tested
Practice has already revealed the team's battle-tested edge. Illinois Tech recently scrimmaged Roosevelt and came away encouraged by both performance and poise. The group's confidence isn't bravado; it's the product of hard-earned perspective. When points slip away, the response is measured. A lost set isn't a crisis. Even a dropped match is met with steady eyes toward the next one.

"There's a lot of maturity on the team," Johnston said. "We know how to deal with things now." That steadiness is rooted in how last season ended—strong, healthy, and clicking at the right time. The Hawks pulled off a statement win over Saint Norbert in the conference tournament and carried that momentum into their final match before an untimely injury shifted the rhythm. Still, the finish fueled the returning core, especially a senior class intent on setting the standard.

"Our seniors were the ones making sure people were working out over the summer and playing volleyball," Johnston said. "They've been doing a good job running this team."

Defense That Travels, Offense That Finishes
For two straight seasons, Illinois Tech has built its identity on defense. The Scarlet Hawks have led the conference in opponent hitting percentage and earned national recognition for their ability to frustrate attacks. "Our opponents have had the worst hitting percentages against us," Johnston said. "What we seek is offense."

That's where the preseason focus has gone—turning digs and touches into kills. The team's defensive specialists remain among the best in the league, serve receive is steady, and the front-row blockers continue to get meaningful touches. Now, the priority is finishing rallies with purpose.

At the recent scrimmage against a Division II Roosevelt, Illinois Tech hit .250 as a team—a significant jump from last year's .160 season average. The improvement isn't just about swinging harder; it's about making smart, mature decisions. "We're not just going up and swinging for home runs all the time. We're playing small ball," Johnston said. Tips, rolls, and well-timed swings are all part of the plan. "A point is a point."

Early Tests, Long-Term Goals
The Scarlet Hawks won't have to wait long to measure themselves. The opening weekend at Wittenberg offers an immediate challenge against a program that snapped Juniata's three-year win streak last season. Additional early matchups with Carthage, Rose-Hulman, Trine, UChicago, and Wheaton will sharpen Illinois Tech before conference play really gets going.

Johnston embraces the schedule. "We need to see high-level competition before we start playing our conference matches," he said. The goal is to build toward October—peaking when conference stakes are highest.

Expectations have changed at Illinois Tech. "When I first started here, conversations were different," Johnston said. "Now there's an expectation that we make the tournament and we advance in the tournament." The preseason coaches' poll slotted the Hawks sixth out of 13, but Johnston's teams have made a habit of surprising higher-ranked opponents during the regular season and in the postseason.

After last year's Final Four, the target is clear: go further. With a mature core, a proven defense, and an offense finding its stride, Illinois Tech enters 2026 believing that steady growth—and steady hands—will take them where they want to go.