The Shockers return seven letterwinners and four starters from a team that went 21-11 overall in 2011 and 13-5 in Missouri Valley Conference play.
Two Shockers were also named to the Preseason All-Valley Team. Senior outside hitter Emily Adney and junior middle blocker Ashley Andrade were named to the team. Adney earned first team all-Valley honors in 2011, while Andrade was named to the second team.
2012 Missouri Valley Conference Preseason Coaches Poll
| 1. | UNI (10) | 100 |
| 2. | Missouri State | 86 |
| 3. | Wichita State | 84 |
| 4. | Creighton | 68 |
| 5. | Illinois State | 57 |
| 6. | Southern Illinois | 41 |
| 7. | Bradley | 35 |
| 8. | Indiana State | 34 |
| 9. | Evansville | 27 |
| 10. | Drake | 18 |
Preseason All-Conference Team
Emily Adney, Wichita State
Ashley Andrade, Wichita State
Megan Bober, Creighton
Amy Braun, UNI
Krist DeGeest, UNI
Carly Thomas, Missouri State
-Wichita State-
