College Volleyball FAQ

Question 1

When does the 2026 NCAA women's volleyball regular season begin?

Accepted Answer

The 2026 Division I regular season opens the week of August 21, 2026, with non-conference tournaments like the AVCA First Serve Showcase. Conference play across the Big Ten, SEC, ACC, Big 12 and Big East begins the weekend of September 18–20, 2026 and runs through Saturday, November 28, 2026.

Question 2

What are the key 2026 NCAA volleyball championship dates?

Accepted Answer

Selection Sunday for the 64-team bracket is December 6, 2026. First and second rounds run December 10–12 at campus sites. Regional semifinals and finals (Sweet 16 / Elite Eight) are December 17–19, 2026. The 2026 NCAA Women's Volleyball Final Four is hosted at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas on December 17 and December 19, 2026.

Question 3

Where is the 2026 Women's Volleyball Final Four being played?

Accepted Answer

The 2026 NCAA Women's Volleyball Championship national semifinals and title match will be contested at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. The national semifinals are scheduled for Thursday, December 17, 2026 with the championship match on Saturday, December 19, 2026.

Question 4

Which showcase events headline the 2026 non-conference slate?

Accepted Answer

Marquee 2026 non-conference events include the AVCA First Serve Showcase in Louisville (Aug 21–22), the Players Era Volleyball Showcase in Las Vegas (late August), the Big Ten / SEC Challenge (September), and neutral-site matchups in Fishers, Ind., Louisville, Ky., and Omaha, Neb. featuring Nebraska, Texas, Wisconsin, Louisville and Texas A&M.

Question 5

How does the new 2026 Big Ten volleyball schedule format work?

Accepted Answer

With 18 Big Ten programs, teams play a 20-match conference schedule beginning September 25, 2026 and finishing November 28, 2026. Each program faces two protected rivals home-and-away plus a rotating mix of home-only and road-only opponents. Nebraska, Penn State, Wisconsin, Ohio State and Minnesota anchor the top of the projected 2026 standings.

Question 6

Where can I watch 2026 women's college volleyball matches?

Accepted Answer

Big Ten matches air on Big Ten Network and BTN+. SEC games are on SEC Network and SEC Network+ via ESPN. ACC games run on ACC Network and ACC Network Extra. Big 12 matches stream on ESPN+, and Big East games are on FloVolleyball. ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC carry select marquee windows plus the entire 2026 NCAA Tournament.

Question 7

How is the 2026 AVCA Top 25 poll released and updated?

Accepted Answer

The AVCA Coaches Poll is voted on each Sunday by Division I head coaches and released Monday afternoons from late August through the NCAA Tournament. The 2026 preseason poll drops in mid-August with Penn State, Nebraska, Texas, Louisville and Pittsburgh projected inside the top five.

Question 8

Which programs are the 2026 national title favorites?

Accepted Answer

Based on returning starters, transfer additions and 2025 postseason results, the strongest 2026 title contenders are Penn State (defending champion), Nebraska, Texas, Louisville, Pittsburgh, Wisconsin, Stanford, Kentucky and Texas A&M. Ohio State and TCU are the most-watched breakout candidates.

Question 9

How can I buy 2026 college volleyball tickets?

Accepted Answer

Single-match and season tickets for the 2026 season are sold through each school's official athletics website and ticket office beginning in June and July 2026. Student tickets are typically free with a valid ID. NCAA Tournament tickets go on sale in early December after the bracket reveal via ncaa.com/tickets.

Question 10

What time do most 2026 college volleyball matches start?

Accepted Answer

Weeknight conference matches usually start at 6:00 or 7:00 p.m. local time on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Saturday and Sunday matches tip off anywhere from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. depending on the TV window. Start times are finalized by each conference roughly 12 days before the match.

Question 11

Does volleyballschedule.us cover every NCAA Division I team?

Accepted Answer

We publish full 2026 schedule, roster, coaching and FAQ pages for 25+ of the highest-profile programs across the Big Ten, SEC, ACC, Big 12 and Big East. Additional teams are added throughout the 2026 season based on rankings movement and reader requests.

Question 12

How often is the 2026 schedule data on this site refreshed?

Accepted Answer

Team schedule pages are audited weekly during the 2026 season and again on match day whenever a start time or broadcaster was previously listed as TBD. NCAA Tournament pages are updated within two hours of Selection Sunday and after every round of the bracket.

Question 13

What is the Nebraska volleyball schedule for 2026?

Accepted Answer

Nebraska plays 28 regular-season matches in 2026 — 17 Big Ten and 11 non-conference — beginning with the Players Era Showcase in Las Vegas on August 29 and ending at home against Minnesota on November 17, followed by the Big Ten Tournament November 20-25. The complete match-by-match schedule with dates, venues and times is in the table above.

Question 14

When does the 2026 Nebraska volleyball season start?

Accepted Answer

The Huskers open the regular season on Saturday, August 29 against UNLV at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Two days earlier, on August 27, Nebraska plays an exhibition at the Spikes Under the Lights showcase at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, which does not count toward the team's record.

Question 15

Who does Nebraska volleyball play first in 2026?

Accepted Answer

UNLV, on August 29 at the Players Era Showcase in Las Vegas. Nebraska faces Texas at the same event the following day, August 30.

Question 16

How many home matches does Nebraska volleyball have in 2026?

Accepted Answer

Fourteen at the Bob Devaney Sports Center, plus the Creighton match at Pinnacle Bank Arena on September 16. Nine of the Devaney dates are Big Ten matches.

Question 17

When is Nebraska's first home volleyball match in 2026?

Accepted Answer

September 10 against New Mexico, opening the Ameritas Players Challenge at the Bob Devaney Sports Center. It is Nebraska's first home match in nearly four weeks after an all-road start to the season.

Question 18

Does Nebraska play Creighton in 2026?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Nebraska hosts Creighton on Wednesday, September 16 at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln. It is the only regular-season match Nebraska plays at Pinnacle Bank Arena in 2026.

Question 19

When does Nebraska open Big Ten play in 2026?

Accepted Answer

Friday, September 25 at home against Rutgers, followed by Ohio State on September 26. Big Ten play runs through November 17.

Question 20

What is the new Big Ten volleyball schedule format?

Accepted Answer

The Big Ten moved from a 20-match schedule — the format it had used since 1991 — to a 17-match single round robin in which every team plays every other team once. The change created room for the conference's first end-of-season tournament.

Question 21

When and where is the 2026 Big Ten Volleyball Tournament?

Accepted Answer

November 20-25 at the Fishers Event Center in Fishers, Indiana, just outside Indianapolis. It is the first Big Ten Tournament in the sport's conference history.

Question 22

What channel is Nebraska volleyball on in 2026?

Accepted Answer

Big Ten matches are distributed across Big Ten Network, BTN+, FS1 and Peacock, with the specific network for each match confirmed shortly before first serve. Non-conference and neutral-site events have separate broadcast arrangements. The schedule table above shows each confirmed network as soon as it is announced.

Question 23

Why do so many matches say TBA?

Accepted Answer

Start times and TV assignments are released on a rolling basis rather than all at once. The Big Ten and its broadcast partners typically confirm windows a few weeks out, and occasionally shift them inside 48 hours to accommodate football. This page is updated as each one is confirmed.

Question 24

Where does Nebraska volleyball play its home matches?

Accepted Answer

The Bob Devaney Sports Center in Lincoln, Nebraska, which has been the program's home since 2013. The arena was recently renovated. One 2026 home match, against Creighton, is at Pinnacle Bank Arena instead.

Question 25

What is Nebraska's toughest stretch of the 2026 schedule?

Accepted Answer

Early October. The Huskers play three consecutive road matches at Penn State (Oct 1), Maryland (Oct 3) and Indiana (Oct 8), then host Wisconsin on October 10 before travelling to Northwestern on October 15.

Question 26

How did Nebraska volleyball finish the 2025 season?

Accepted Answer

Nebraska went 33-1, including a 30-0 regular season and a 20-0 Big Ten record — the third unbeaten regular season in program history. The season ended with a five-set loss to eventual national champion Texas A&M in the NCAA Regional Final in Lincoln.

Question 27

Who is Nebraska's volleyball coach in 2026?

Accepted Answer

Dani Busboom Kelly, in her second season. She was named the fourth head coach in program history in January 2025, replacing John Cook, and was named Big Ten Coach of the Year after going 30-0 in the regular season in her first year.

Question 28

Who are Nebraska's key returning players in 2026?

Accepted Answer

Senior setter Bergen Reilly, the 2025 AVCA Setter of the Year and Big Ten Player of the Year, and senior outside hitter Harper Murray lead a roster that returns most of last season's rotation. Middle blocker Andi Jackson also returns. The full roster is listed above.

Question 29

How many national championships has Nebraska volleyball won?

Accepted Answer

Five — in 1995, 2000, 2006, 2015 and 2017. The program has won more matches, spent more weeks ranked No. 1 and produced more AVCA All-Americans than any other program in the sport.

Question 30

How do I get Nebraska volleyball tickets in 2026?

Accepted Answer

Season tickets are renewed by existing holders through the Huskers Athletic Fund, with any remaining single-match inventory released through Huskers.com. Tickets for the neutral-site events — AT&T Stadium, T-Mobile Arena, Wintrust Arena and Wrigley Field — are sold separately by each event's organizer.

Question 31

Is the August 27 match against Florida a real match?

Accepted Answer

It is an exhibition, not a regular-season match, so it does not affect Nebraska's record. Nebraska defeated Florida 2-0 at the Spikes Under the Lights showcase at AT&T Stadium, which also featured Penn State and SMU competing in best-of-three semifinals and a championship for a $1 million prize pool.

Question 32

What time do doors open at the Devaney Center?

Accepted Answer

Doors typically open one hour before first serve. Nebraska Athletics enforces a clear bag policy at the Devaney Center, so check the current gameday policy before you travel.

Question 33

When does the 2026 Kentucky volleyball season start?

Accepted Answer

Kentucky opens the 2026 season on Friday, August 21 against No. 6 Wisconsin at the AVCA First Serve inside Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, first serve at 9:00 pm ET on ESPN. The home opener follows a week later, August 28 against Utah State at Historic Memorial Coliseum.

Question 34

What is Kentucky's full 2026 volleyball schedule?

Accepted Answer

Kentucky plays 27 scheduled matches — 12 non-conference and 15 SEC — plus the SEC Tournament in Savannah, Georgia from November 20-24 and the NCAA Tournament in December. The complete slate with dates, times, venues and TV is listed in the schedule table above and updated whenever a time or network is confirmed.

Question 35

When does SEC play start for Kentucky in 2026?

Accepted Answer

Conference play opens Wednesday, September 23 at Vanderbilt in Nashville, followed by the SEC opening-weekend showdown against Texas at Memorial Coliseum on Sunday, September 27. SEC play runs through the regular-season finale at Georgia on November 15.

Question 36

How many home matches does Kentucky play in 2026?

Accepted Answer

Eleven regular-season home matches at Historic Memorial Coliseum, plus two August exhibitions with free admission. The home slate includes UCLA, North Carolina, Louisville, Texas, LSU, Ole Miss, Texas A&M, Missouri, Alabama and Mississippi State on Senior Day.

Question 37

Where do the Kentucky Wildcats play their home volleyball matches?

Accepted Answer

At Historic Memorial Coliseum on the University of Kentucky campus in Lexington. Opened in 1950 and renovated for volleyball, it seats roughly 8,500 and is regularly among the loudest and best-attended venues in college volleyball.

Question 38

What channel is Kentucky volleyball on?

Accepted Answer

Most matches air on SEC Network or stream on SEC Network+ through the ESPN app. Marquee matches, including the August 21 opener against Wisconsin and the September 9 SEC/ACC Challenge against North Carolina, are scheduled for ESPN platforms. Networks are usually confirmed 7-14 days in advance.

Question 39

Is SEC Network+ free?

Accepted Answer

SEC Network+ is included at no extra cost if your TV provider carries SEC Network — you sign in through the ESPN app with those credentials. It is not sold separately and is not the same as an ESPN+ subscription.

Question 40

How can I watch Kentucky volleyball without cable?

Accepted Answer

YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, DirecTV Stream and Fubo all carry SEC Network, and each includes the login needed to stream SEC Network+ inside the ESPN app. Select events also appear on ESPN+ as a standalone subscription.

Question 41

Where can I buy Kentucky volleyball tickets for 2026?

Accepted Answer

Season and single-match tickets are sold through UKAthletics.com. Season tickets typically go on sale in the spring, with single-match tickets released later in the summer. SEC weekends and the Louisville, Texas and UCLA matches frequently sell out well before first serve.

Question 42

How much do Kentucky volleyball tickets cost?

Accepted Answer

Single-match prices vary by opponent and seating location, with non-conference matches generally the most affordable and SEC weekends priced higher. Both August exhibitions are free admission. Check UKAthletics.com for current pricing, as the athletics department sets prices by match tier.

Question 43

Are Kentucky volleyball exhibition matches free?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Both 2026 exhibitions at Memorial Coliseum — Ohio on August 8 and Dayton on August 14 — were free admission, with post-match autographs following the Dayton match.

Question 44

Who is Kentucky's volleyball head coach?

Accepted Answer

Craig Skinner, who has led the program since 2005. He guided Kentucky to the 2020 NCAA national championship, a run of consecutive SEC regular-season titles and the 2025 national championship match, and is one of the winningest active coaches in the sport.

Question 45

Did Kentucky win the national championship in 2025?

Accepted Answer

No. Kentucky reached the national championship match at the Final Four in Kansas City and finished as national runner-up, losing the title match to Texas A&M. The Wildcats return most of that roster in 2026.

Question 46

Has Kentucky ever won a volleyball national championship?

Accepted Answer

Yes — Kentucky won the NCAA Division I national championship in the 2020-21 season, defeating Texas in the final in Omaha. It remains the program's only national title and the first NCAA volleyball championship won by an SEC school.

Question 47

Who are Kentucky's best players in 2026?

Accepted Answer

Senior outside hitter Brooklyn DeLeye, junior opposite Morgan Gaerte, sophomore setter Kassie O'Brien, senior libero Molly Tuozzo and redshirt junior middle blocker Lizzie Carr were all named Preseason All-SEC. DeLeye, Gaerte, O'Brien and Tuozzo are on the AVCA National Player of the Year watch list — the most of any program in the country.

Question 48

Who transferred into Kentucky volleyball for 2026?

Accepted Answer

Opposite hitter Morgan Gaerte arrived from Notre Dame, where she earned First Team All-ACC honors in 2025 while averaging 4.64 kills per set. She gives Kentucky a genuine right-side terminator alongside DeLeye and is a central reason the Wildcats are the preseason SEC favorite.

Question 49

Where is Kentucky ranked heading into 2026?

Accepted Answer

Kentucky enters the season ranked No. 3 nationally and was picked by SEC coaches to win the conference. The Wildcats open against No. 6 Wisconsin and No. 4 Pittsburgh, making it one of the toughest opening weekends any team in the country faces.

Question 50

What conference is Kentucky volleyball in?

Accepted Answer

Kentucky competes in the Southeastern Conference. The SEC plays a 15-match single round-robin conference schedule, followed by the SEC Tournament, whose champion receives the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

Question 51

When and where is the 2026 SEC Volleyball Tournament?

Accepted Answer

November 20-24 at Enmarket Arena in Savannah, Georgia — the second consecutive year Savannah hosts. Opening-round matches begin Friday, November 20 and the championship match is Tuesday, November 24 at 7:00 pm ET.

Question 52

Who is Kentucky's biggest volleyball rival?

Accepted Answer

Louisville is the in-state rivalry that fills Memorial Coliseum, Florida is the longest-running SEC rivalry, and Texas A&M has become the most consequential opponent after ending Kentucky's 2025 season in the national championship match. Kentucky hosts all three storylines in different forms this season.

Question 53

When is Senior Day for Kentucky volleyball in 2026?

Accepted Answer

Sunday, November 8 at 1:00 pm ET against Mississippi State at Memorial Coliseum, the final home match of the regular season. Senior Day ceremonies typically take place before first serve, so arrive early.

Question 54

Where can I park for Kentucky volleyball matches?

Accepted Answer

Parking is free on home match nights in the Kroger Field structure, a short walk from Memorial Coliseum. Doors typically open one hour before first serve; confirm gate times on the UK Athletics event page for high-demand SEC matches.

Question 55

When does the 2026 Texas volleyball season start?

Accepted Answer

Texas opens Saturday, August 22 against Arizona State at the AVCA First Serve inside Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, first serve at 6:00 pm CT on FS1. The Longhorns face Marquette at the same event on August 24 before the home opener against USC on September 2.

Question 56

What is Texas's full 2026 volleyball schedule?

Accepted Answer

Texas plays 23 scheduled matches — eight non-conference and 15 SEC — plus the SEC Tournament in Savannah, Georgia from November 20-24 and the NCAA Tournament in December. The complete slate with dates, times, venues and TV is in the table above and updated as assignments are confirmed.

Question 57

When does SEC play start for Texas in 2026?

Accepted Answer

Conference play opens Friday, September 25 at Tennessee in Knoxville, followed immediately by a Sunday match at Kentucky on September 27. That opening weekend is the toughest two-match conference start any SEC team faces this season.

Question 58

Is the Texas vs. Wisconsin match at Gregory Gym?

Accepted Answer

No. The September 13 match against Wisconsin is at Moody Center, not Gregory Gymnasium. Texas moved the match to the larger arena to accommodate demand — last season's Moody Center match drew 10,899 fans, a Texas regular-season volleyball attendance record.

Question 59

How many home matches does Texas play in 2026?

Accepted Answer

Ten: nine at Gregory Gymnasium and one at Moody Center. The home slate includes USC, Wisconsin, Florida, Texas A&M, Georgia, Auburn, Alabama, Mississippi State, Ole Miss and LSU on Senior Day.

Question 60

How do I get Texas volleyball tickets?

Accepted Answer

Season tickets typically sell out quickly each summer, with a limited single-match public sale opening later through TexasSports.com. Standing-room tickets are sometimes released on match day. Gregory Gym's roughly 4,000 seats make Texas volleyball one of the toughest tickets in college athletics.

Question 61

Why is Gregory Gym so small?

Accepted Answer

Gregory Gymnasium opened in 1930 and was never built as a modern arena. It seats about 4,000 for volleyball — smaller than any other title contender's home floor. The tight sightlines and low ceiling are precisely what make it one of the loudest buildings in the sport.

Question 62

What is the Wild Bunch?

Accepted Answer

The Wild Bunch is the Texas volleyball student section, positioned behind the service line. It is widely credited with disrupting visiting servers more than any crowd in college volleyball and is a major part of Gregory Gym's home-court advantage.

Question 63

What channel is Texas volleyball on?

Accepted Answer

Coverage is split across ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, SEC Network, SEC Network+, FS1, FS2 and ACC Network in 2026, depending on the event. Texas is scheduled for nine ESPN-network appearances in the regular season. Each row in the schedule table lists the confirmed outlet.

Question 64

Is SEC Network+ free?

Accepted Answer

SEC Network+ is included at no extra charge if your TV provider carries SEC Network — you sign in through the ESPN app with those credentials. It is not sold separately and is not the same as ESPN+.

Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

Nebraska FAQs

Kentucky FAQs

Texas FAQs

Pittsburgh FAQs

Stanford FAQs

Texas A&M FAQs

SMU FAQs

Arizona State FAQs

Louisville FAQs

Wisconsin FAQs

Creighton FAQs

Purdue FAQs

Miami (OH) FAQs

USC FAQs

Indiana FAQs

Kansas FAQs

Minnesota FAQs

Tennessee FAQs

North Carolina FAQs

TCU FAQs

Baylor FAQs

BYU FAQs

Iowa State FAQs

Colorado FAQs

Penn State FAQs

Ohio State FAQs

UNLV FAQs

Florida FAQs

Oregon FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

When does the 2026 NCAA women's volleyball regular season begin?

What are the key 2026 NCAA volleyball championship dates?

Where is the 2026 Women's Volleyball Final Four being played?

Which showcase events headline the 2026 non-conference slate?

How does the new 2026 Big Ten volleyball schedule format work?

Where can I watch 2026 women's college volleyball matches?

How is the 2026 AVCA Top 25 poll released and updated?

Which programs are the 2026 national title favorites?

How can I buy 2026 college volleyball tickets?

What time do most 2026 college volleyball matches start?

Does volleyballschedule.us cover every NCAA Division I team?

How often is the 2026 schedule data on this site refreshed?

Nebraska FAQs

What is the Nebraska volleyball schedule for 2026?

When does the 2026 Nebraska volleyball season start?

Who does Nebraska volleyball play first in 2026?

How many home matches does Nebraska volleyball have in 2026?

When is Nebraska's first home volleyball match in 2026?

Does Nebraska play Creighton in 2026?

When does Nebraska open Big Ten play in 2026?

What is the new Big Ten volleyball schedule format?

When and where is the 2026 Big Ten Volleyball Tournament?

What channel is Nebraska volleyball on in 2026?

Why do so many matches say TBA?

Where does Nebraska volleyball play its home matches?

What is Nebraska's toughest stretch of the 2026 schedule?

How did Nebraska volleyball finish the 2025 season?

Who is Nebraska's volleyball coach in 2026?

Who are Nebraska's key returning players in 2026?

How many national championships has Nebraska volleyball won?

How do I get Nebraska volleyball tickets in 2026?

Is the August 27 match against Florida a real match?

What time do doors open at the Devaney Center?

Kentucky FAQs

When does the 2026 Kentucky volleyball season start?

What is Kentucky's full 2026 volleyball schedule?

When does SEC play start for Kentucky in 2026?

How many home matches does Kentucky play in 2026?

Where do the Kentucky Wildcats play their home volleyball matches?

What channel is Kentucky volleyball on?

Is SEC Network+ free?

How can I watch Kentucky volleyball without cable?

Where can I buy Kentucky volleyball tickets for 2026?

How much do Kentucky volleyball tickets cost?

Are Kentucky volleyball exhibition matches free?

Who is Kentucky's volleyball head coach?

Did Kentucky win the national championship in 2025?

Has Kentucky ever won a volleyball national championship?

Who are Kentucky's best players in 2026?

Who transferred into Kentucky volleyball for 2026?

Where is Kentucky ranked heading into 2026?

What conference is Kentucky volleyball in?

When and where is the 2026 SEC Volleyball Tournament?

Who is Kentucky's biggest volleyball rival?

When is Senior Day for Kentucky volleyball in 2026?

Where can I park for Kentucky volleyball matches?

Texas FAQs

When does the 2026 Texas volleyball season start?

What is Texas's full 2026 volleyball schedule?

When does SEC play start for Texas in 2026?

Is the Texas vs. Wisconsin match at Gregory Gym?

How many home matches does Texas play in 2026?

How do I get Texas volleyball tickets?

Why is Gregory Gym so small?

What is the Wild Bunch?

What channel is Texas volleyball on?

Is SEC Network+ free?

How can I watch Texas volleyball without cable?

How many national championships has Texas volleyball won?

How did Texas volleyball finish in 2025?

Where is Texas ranked heading into 2026?

Who is the Texas volleyball head coach?

Who are Texas's best players in 2026?

Who did Texas lose from last year's roster?

What is the Players Era Showcase?

What conference does Texas volleyball play in?

When and where is the 2026 SEC Volleyball Tournament?

Who is Texas's biggest volleyball rival?