MonAug 10
Away
at
#2 Texas
1:00 PMAustin, TX
Big Ten
Minnesota
Golden Gophers
2026
Follow the Golden Gophers on their journey to championship glory. Get the latest schedules, roster updates, and game information.
2-2
Record
32
Games
16
Players
Looking for dates, times and locations? Jump straight to the full Minnesota 2026 slate.
View ScheduleNext MatchHome
Minnesota
Miami
Fri, Sep 11·6:00 PM
01Days
16Hours
39Min
24Sec
Minnesota Volleyball Schedule 2026
SatAug 22
Away
at
Iowa State
11:00 AMAmes, IA
FriAug 28
Away
at
#12 Arizona State
LOSS· L 0-3State Farm College Volleyball Showcase — Sioux Falls, SD
SatAug 29
Away
at
#13 Creighton
WIN· W 3-0State Farm College Volleyball Showcase — Sioux Falls, SD
TueSep 1
Away
at
#17 Florida
LOSS· L 1-3Big Ten/SEC Challenge — Madison, WI
WedSep 2
Away
at
Auburn
WIN· W 3-1Madison, WI
FriSep 11
Homevs
Miami
6:00 PMDiet Coke Classic — Maturi Pavilion, Minneapolis, MN
SunSep 13
HomeST
vs
St. Thomas
1:00 PMMaturi Pavilion, Minneapolis, MN
FriSep 18
AwaySD
at
South Dakota
7:00 PMSD Lottery College Volleyball Classic — Sioux Falls, SD (TV: Midco Sports Plus)
SatSep 19
Away
at
South Dakota State
2:30 PMSD Lottery College Volleyball Classic — Sioux Falls, SD (TV: Midco Sports Plus)
ThuSep 24
Away
at
Illinois
7:00 PMUrbana-Champaign, IL
SatSep 26
Home
vs
#25 Oregon
6:00 PMMaturi Pavilion, Minneapolis, MN
ThuOct 1
Home
vs
Northwestern
7:00 PMMaturi Pavilion, Minneapolis, MN
SunOct 4
Home
vs
#6 Wisconsin
5:00 PMMaturi Pavilion, Minneapolis, MN
FriOct 9
Away
at
Rutgers
6:00 PMPiscataway, NJ
SunOct 11
Away
at
Ohio State
3:00 PMColumbus, OH
FriOct 16
Home
vs
Michigan
7:00 PMMaturi Pavilion, Minneapolis, MN
SatOct 17
Home
vs
Maryland
6:00 PMMaturi Pavilion, Minneapolis, MN
FriOct 23
Away
at
#9 Purdue
6:00 PMWest Lafayette, IN
SunOct 25
Home
vs
Washington
1:00 PMMaturi Pavilion, Minneapolis, MN
FriOct 30
Away
at
UCLA
9:00 PMLos Angeles, CA
SunNov 1
Away
at
#20 USC
4:00 PMLos Angeles, CA
FriNov 6
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vs
#10 Penn State
6:00 PMMaturi Pavilion, Minneapolis, MN
SunNov 8
Away
at
Iowa
2:00 PMIowa City, IA
WedNov 11
Home
vs
#16 Indiana
7:00 PMMaturi Pavilion, Minneapolis, MN
SatNov 14
Home
vs
Michigan State
7:00 PMMaturi Pavilion, Minneapolis, MN
TueNov 17
Away
at
#1 Nebraska
7:30 PMLincoln, NE
FriNov 20
Away
at
Big Ten Tournament
TBAFishers, IN
WedNov 25
Awayat
Big Ten Tournament
TBAFishers, IN
SatNov 28
HomeHP
vs
High Point
1:00 PMMaturi Pavilion, Minneapolis, MN
FriDec 4
AwayNT
at
NCAA Tournament
TBATBA
SatDec 5
AwayNT
at
NCAA Tournament
TBATBA
Minnesota Volleyball 2026: Season Outlook & Program Overview
Original analysis of the Minnesota Golden Gophers program, coaching staff, and 2026 outlook.
2026 Season Outlook
Last season was, by any reasonable reading, an overachievement. Minnesota lost four starters to season-ending injuries and still won 24 matches and reached the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament for the first time in three years. That team was carried by Julia Hanson, a Second Team All-American, and Hanson is not on the 2026 roster. So the question this fall is not whether the Gophers are talented - it is who scores. Keegan Cook has assembled a roster leaning heavily on transfers and Minnesota kids: Kate Thibault and Alex Acevedo from Oregon, Georgia Lee from Rutgers, Lucie Blazkova from Washington State, and eleven players from Minnesota, Wisconsin or the Dakotas. Fifth-year outside Mckenna Wucherer is the most experienced returner on the pins. The frontcourt looks like the strength - Jordan Taylor at 6-5, Blazkova and Calissa Minatee, plus 6-3 freshman Elena Hoecke - and the back row is deep to the point of luxury with five listed liberos and defensive specialists. The caution is the schedule: ten ranked opponents, six neutral-site matches, a Friday-Sunday trip to Los Angeles for UCLA and USC, and a finale at No. 1 Nebraska. A 20-win season against this slate would be a better year than a 24-win season against a soft one.
Program History & Tradition
Minnesota is one of the most consistent programs in the Big Ten, and the 2025 season made the case as clearly as any: four starters lost to season-ending injuries, and the Gophers still won 24 matches and reached the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament for the first time in three years. Hugh McCutcheon led the program before stepping down in December 2022 and remained in a Gopher Athletics administrative role, moving to a reduced role in June 2026. Home matches are played at Maturi Pavilion in Minneapolis.
Head Coach Spotlight
Keegan Cook is in his fourth season at Minnesota, hired in December 2022 after Hugh McCutcheon stepped down. He came from Washington, where he spent eight seasons as head coach. His teams pass well and serve aggressively, and he has been unusually effective in the portal - a necessity at a program that has had to reload rather than reload-and-return in recent years. Last year's injury-riddled Sweet 16 run was the strongest evidence yet that his staff can coach a depleted roster. Arica Nassar joined the staff in February 2026 from Kansas as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator.
What to Watch in 2026
Every Gopher match is broadcast this season - nothing goes uncovered. Six are on BTN, including Wisconsin on October 4, Washington on October 25 and the finale at No. 1 Nebraska on November 17. The season opens against Arizona State on FOX and Creighton on FS1 in Sioux Falls, with Auburn on FS1 two days after. Ten opponents are ranked and six matches are at neutral sites, an unusually high number that matters for NCAA seeding. The Los Angeles trip for UCLA and USC on a Friday-Sunday is the hardest travel on the calendar, and the Big Ten's first postseason tournament follows the regular season.
Minnesota Volleyball 2026 Schedule Overview
Last updated: August 24, 2026
Minnesota enters Keegan Cook's fourth season having won 24 matches in 2025 despite losing four starters to season-ending injuries, and having reached the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament for the first time in three years. That team was carried by Second Team All-American Julia Hanson, who is not on the 2026 roster, so the central question this fall is who scores. The schedule offers no cushion: ten ranked opponents, six neutral-site matches, a Friday-Sunday trip to Los Angeles for UCLA and USC, and a regular-season finale at No. 1 Nebraska. Every Gopher match is broadcast this season. Full dates, times, venues and broadcast assignments are below.
Minnesota opens August 28 against Arizona State on FOX, with Creighton on FS1 the following night.
Minnesota Volleyball 2026 Photo Gallery
TV & Streaming Information
Every Gopher match is on BTN, B1G+ or a national partner - nothing goes unbroadcast. Six are on BTN: Florida on September 1, Wisconsin on October 4, at Ohio State on October 11, Washington on October 25, Michigan State on November 14 and at Nebraska on November 17, plus the Big Ten Tournament. Arizona State on August 28 is on FOX or Fox 9+, and Creighton on August 29 and Auburn on September 2 are on FS1. Midco Sports Plus carries South Dakota on September 18 and South Dakota State on September 19. B1G+ carries the remaining 14 matches with a subscription, and ESPN+ has NCAA Tournament matches. The Gopher Radio Network and the Varsity Network app carry live audio for every match.
Top Games to Watch
Minnesota at Nebraska
Tuesday, November 17
The regular-season finale, on the road against the preseason No. 1, on BTN. Under the Big Ten's single round robin this is the only meeting.
Wisconsin at Minnesota
Sunday, October 4
The border rivalry at Maturi Pavilion, on BTN, and the biggest home date of the year.
Minnesota vs. Arizona State
Friday, August 28
The season opener against the Big 12's preseason No. 1, on FOX, with Creighton on FS1 the following night.
Minnesota at UCLA and USC
Friday-Sunday
A single Los Angeles weekend against two Big Ten opponents - the hardest travel on the calendar.
Washington at Minnesota
Sunday, October 25
A BTN home window in the middle of the league schedule, against a program Keegan Cook knows better than anyone.
Key Players to Know
Mckenna Wucherer
Outside Hitter
Fifth year. The longest-tenured Gopher and the most experienced attacker on a roster that lost its leading scorer. Minnesota's offense runs through her early.
Jordan Taylor
Middle Blocker
Sophomore at 6-5, the tallest player on the roster and the most obvious source of untapped upside. A jump in her second year changes what Minnesota can do at the net.
Georgia Lee
Setter
Senior transfer from Rutgers who brings Big Ten reps to the most important position on a rebuilt roster. She and Stella Swenson will compete to run the offense.
Kate Thibault
Libero
Senior who came home from Oregon and anchors a back row that is unusually deep even by Cook's standards - five listed liberos and defensive specialists.
Venue Information
Minnesota plays home matches at Maturi Pavilion in Minneapolis. Tickets are sold through Gopher Athletics, and doors typically open one hour before first serve.
Season Expectations
Minnesota was picked fifth in the Big Ten preseason poll. The realistic ceiling is a top-four conference finish, a top-16 NCAA seed, hosting the first weekend and a Sweet 16; the realistic floor is a middle-of-the-Big-Ten finish and an at-large bid on the road. The schedule is the reason to read the record carefully - ten ranked opponents, six neutral-site matches and a finale at Nebraska mean a 20-win season here would be a better year than a 24-win season against a soft slate.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who coaches Minnesota volleyball?
- Keegan Cook, in his fourth season. He was hired in December 2022 after Hugh McCutcheon stepped down, having spent eight seasons as head coach at Washington.
- How can I watch Minnesota volleyball in 2026?
- Every Gopher match is broadcast. Six are on BTN, one on FOX or Fox 9+, two on FS1, two on Midco Sports Plus, and the remaining 14 on B1G+ with a subscription. The Gopher Radio Network and the Varsity Network app carry live audio for every match.
- Where can I buy Minnesota volleyball tickets?
- Tickets are sold through Gopher Athletics for home matches at Maturi Pavilion. Student tickets are free with a valid U of M ID.
Related Pages
The Squad · Roster
Minnesota Volleyball Roster 2026
Meet the 16 athletes on the Minnesota Golden Gophers volleyball team
1Setter
Stella Swenson
Junior · 6'1"
Minnetonka, MN
3Outside Hitter
Mckenna Wucherer
5th Year · 6'1"
Brookfield, WI
4Outside Hitter
Makenna Crosson
Freshman · 6'3"
San Jose, CA
5Libero
McKenna Garr
Sophomore · 5'7"
Rush City, MN
6Libero
Kate Thibault
Senior · 5'4"
Watertown, MN (Oregon)
7Opposite
Carly Gilk
Sophomore · 6'2"
Brooklyn Park, MN
8Middle Blocker
Calissa Minatee
Senior · 6'1"
Kansas City, MO
10Setter
Georgia Lee
Senior · 6'1"
Phoenix, AZ (Rutgers)
11Libero
Madi Kraft
Freshman · 5'6"
Eagan, MN
12Libero
Zeynep Palabiyik
Senior · 5'4"
Istanbul, Turkey
13Defensive Specialist
Olivia Swenson
Junior · 6'3"
Minnetonka, MN
15Middle Blocker
Jordan Taylor
Sophomore · 6'5"
Houston, TX
16Middle Blocker
Lucie Blazkova
Senior · 6'3"
Ceska Trebova, Czech Republic (Washington State)
17Middle Blocker
Elena Hoecke
Freshman · 6'3"
Lino Lakes, MN
24Outside Hitter
Alex Acevedo
Senior · 6'2"
Nampa, ID (Oregon)
33Outside Hitter
Kelly Kinney
Sophomore · 6'2"
West Palm Beach, FL
Fan Guide · FAQ
Minnesota Volleyball FAQ 2026
Everything you need to know about Minnesota Golden Gophers volleyball
Q
Where do the Golden Gophers play home games?
A
The Minnesota Golden Gophers play their home volleyball matches at Maturi Pavilion on the University of Minnesota campus in Minneapolis.
Q
How can I purchase tickets?
A
Tickets can be purchased through the Gopher Athletics website, at the Maturi Pavilion box office, or through authorized ticket resellers.
Q
What time do doors open for matches?
A
Doors typically open 60 minutes before the scheduled match time. We recommend arriving early for the best seating options.
Q
What conference is Minnesota in?
A
Minnesota competes in the Big Ten Conference, facing teams like Nebraska, Wisconsin, Penn State, and Purdue in conference play.
Q
Where can I find the full Minnesota Volleyball Schedule 2026?
A
The complete 2026 Minnesota volleyball schedule with every Golden Gophers match, opponent, date, time and location is listed on this page above. It is updated whenever the athletic department confirms new times, TV assignments or venue changes.
Q
When does the Minnesota Golden Gophers volleyball season start in 2026?
A
Minnesota opens the 2026 volleyball season in late August with non-conference play, then rolls into Big Ten matches from mid-September through November. The full 2026 slate leads into the NCAA Tournament in December.
Q
Where do the Golden Gophers play their home volleyball matches?
A
Minnesota plays home volleyball matches at Maturi Pavilion in Minneapolis. The arena hosts every home date on the 2026 schedule, and doors typically open about an hour before first serve.
Q
How can I watch Minnesota volleyball games in 2026?
A
Most 2026 Golden Gophers matches air on Big Ten network partners (ESPN, ESPN+, Big Ten Network, ACC Network, SEC Network or FS1 depending on the game). Each row on the schedule above shows the confirmed TV or streaming outlet as soon as it is announced.
Q
Who are Minnesota's biggest 2026 volleyball opponents?
A
The 2026 schedule features Big Ten rivalry matches plus marquee non-conference tests. See the schedule table on this page for every Golden Gophers opponent, dates and locations for the full 2026 season.
Leadership · Staff
Minnesota Volleyball Coaches 2026
The leadership behind Minnesota Golden Gophers volleyball success
KC
Keegan Cook
Head Coach
Keegan Cook is in his fourth season at Minnesota, hired in December 2022 after Hugh McCutcheon stepped down. He came from Washington, where he spent eight seasons as head coach. His teams pass well and serve aggressively, and he has been unusually effective in the transfer portal. Last season's injury-hit team lost four starters to season-ending injuries and still won 24 matches and reached the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament.
4 years with the program
NC
Nellie Coleman
General Manager & Assistant Coach
General manager and assistant coach for the Gophers.
0 years with the program
AN
Arica Nassar
Assistant Coach / Recruiting Coordinator
Joined the Minnesota staff in February 2026 from Kansas, where she was assistant coach and recruiting coordinator.
0 years with the program
SW
Spencer Wickens
Assistant Coach
Assistant coach on Keegan Cook's staff.
0 years with the program
NI
Nao Ikeda
Director of Operations
Directs day-to-day operations for the program.
0 years with the program
SS
Sanky Sanny
Technical Coordinator & Performance Analyst
Technical coordinator and performance analyst for Minnesota volleyball.
0 years with the program
Heritage · Legacy
Minnesota Volleyball Program History
The Minnesota Golden Gophers women's volleyball program has a rich history of success in the Big Ten Conference. The Gophers have consistently been a top program nationally, reaching multiple Final Fours and producing numerous All-Americans.
Minnesota has developed a strong recruiting pipeline and established itself as one of the premier volleyball programs in the country. The program's commitment to excellence has made Minnesota a destination for top recruits.
Minnesota volleyball has created a passionate fanbase at Maturi Pavilion, with the venue providing an electric home court advantage against Big Ten opponents.
Where to Watch
Where to Watch Minnesota Volleyball
Maturi Pavilion
Address: 1925 University Ave SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455
Capacity: 5,700 fans
Maturi Pavilion provides an electric atmosphere for every Minnesota volleyball match with passionate Golden Gopher fans.
TV & Streaming
Networks: Big Ten Network, ESPN
Streaming: B1G+, ESPN+
Can't make it to Minneapolis? Catch every Minnesota volleyball match on television or streaming platforms.
Season Storylines
2026 Minnesota Volleyball Season
Big Ten Schedule
Minnesota faces the toughest conference in the nation, battling rivals like Nebraska, Wisconsin, Penn State, and Purdue throughout the Big Ten season.
Home Games at Maturi Pavilion
Experience the electric atmosphere at Maturi Pavilion where Minnesota volleyball creates a passionate and intimidating home court advantage.
NCAA Tournament Path
Follow Minnesota's journey through the NCAA Tournament as the Golden Gophers compete against the nation's best programs.
Go Golden Gophers
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