Skip to content
College Volleyball Schedule logo
Buy game tickets on Ticketmaster (opens in a new tab)

Independent fan guide · ACC

North Carolina Volleyball Schedule 2026

Follow the Tar Heels on their journey to championship glory. Get the latest schedules, roster updates, and game information.

Last updated · Sources & updates

15-4Recorded season record
30Listed matches
15Home matches
Save schedule & follow North Carolina
Subscribe to calendarThis week on TV
Latest result: W 3-0 vs Syracuse · Oct 30
All results →

North Carolina match dates, TV channels and results. All times are as listed. View schedule.

2026 schedule & results

Scores checked Oct 31, 2026 · Times as listed

9 upcoming matches · Times shown as listed

DateOpponentLocationFirst serve / resultTV / stream

vs Boston College

HomeChapel Hill, N.C.
First serve2:00 PM ET
TV / stream: ACC Network

at SMU

AwayDallas, Texas
First serve12 PM CT / 1 PM ET
TV / stream: ACCNX

at Pitt

AwayPittsburgh, Pa.
First serve1:00 PM ET
TV / stream: ACCNX

at Duke

AwayDurham, N.C.
First serve6:30 PM ET
TV / stream: ACCNX

vs Duke

HomeChapel Hill, N.C.
First serve1:00 PM ET
TV / stream: ACC Network

vs Miami

HomeChapel Hill, N.C.
First serve7:00 PM ET
TV / stream: ACCNX

vs Florida State

HomeChapel Hill, N.C.
First serve1:00 PM ET
TV / stream: ACCNX

vs Louisville

HomeChapel Hill, N.C.
First serve7:00 PM ET
TV / stream: ACCNX

at Miami

AwayCoral Gables, Fla.
First serve1:00 PM ET
TV / stream: ACCNX

More North Carolina coverage

Explore volleyball

This week in ACC

Next opponents

  • Boston College
    Nov 1 · 2:00 PM ET (TV: ACC Network)
  • SMU
    Nov 6 · 12 PM CT / 1 PM ET (TV: ACCNX)
  • Pitt
    Nov 8 · 1:00 PM ET (TV: ACCNX)

Explore ACC →

Season snapshot

Record:
15-4
Last result:
W 3-0 vs Syracuse · Fri, Oct 30
Next match:
vs Boston College · Sun, Nov 1 · 2:00 PM ET (TV: ACC Network)
Remaining ranked opponents:
2
Schedule sites:
15 home · 15 away

North Carolina Volleyball 2026: Season Outlook & Program Overview

Original analysis of the North Carolina Tar Heels program, coaching staff, and 2026 outlook.

2026 Season Outlook

North Carolina opens the 2026 season on August 29 at Davidson and closes November 27 at Miami: 28 matches, three ranked opponents inside a nine-day stretch, and a program carrying real expectations for the first time in nearly a decade. The Tar Heels enter the year ranked in the AVCA preseason poll for the first time since 2017 and were tabbed fifth in the ACC - the clearest sign yet that Mike Schall's rebuild has landed. The case for a strong season is straightforward: two preseason All-ACC players in Safi Hampton and Chelsea Thorpe, an experienced senior setter in Zoe Behrendt, and the deepest middle-blocking group in the conference, with Meghan Clifford, Mackenzie Boyer, Sadie Swift, Lauren Schutter and Jackie Taylor all legitimate options and 6-4 freshman Lindley Miller arriving behind them. The case for caution is the schedule - Kentucky, Nebraska, Louisville twice, Stanford, SMU and Pitt is a brutal set of measuring sticks, and UNC gets four of the six away from Chapel Hill.

The realistic outcome is a top-five ACC finish and a third straight NCAA bid; the floor is still a postseason team, because this roster is too experienced to collapse.

Program History & Tradition

North Carolina has reached back-to-back NCAA Tournaments and, in 2026, earned its first AVCA preseason ranking since 2017 - the clearest markers of Mike Schall's rebuild. The program is also recruiting its own backyard, with in-state players from Apex, Cary, Clayton, Durham and Charlotte on the roster, which matters for a program trying to build a durable identity rather than a one-year portal roster. Home matches are at Carmichael Arena, UNC's basketball home before the Smith Center opened.

Head Coach Spotlight

Mike Schall is in his fourth season at North Carolina. His rebuild has produced back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances and, in 2026, the program's first AVCA preseason ranking since 2017, with the Tar Heels picked fifth in the ACC. He has built the roster around size at the net and in-state recruiting rather than annual portal turnover, and scheduled up deliberately - Kentucky, Nebraska, Stanford, SMU, Pitt and a Louisville home-and-home - on the reasoning that seeding in December is not earned on a diet of ACC bottom-half wins.

What to Watch in 2026

Carmichael Arena is small by ACC standards, and that is the point: the volleyball configuration puts the crowd right on top of the court, and for a Sunday-night ESPN match against Stanford it will feel considerably louder than the seating chart suggests. The Stanford, Duke and Louisville home matches are the three to buy early. The number to watch across the season is whether Carolina can steal one of the ranked road matches - beat Kentucky, Louisville, SMU or Pitt away from home and the whole resume changes shape. The frontcourt is the structural advantage: five legitimate middles plus a 6-4 freshman should make blocking a strength.

North Carolina Volleyball 2026 Schedule Overview

Schedule and scores checked October 31, 2026 · Official source: goheels.com

North Carolina opens the 2026 season on Saturday, August 29 at Davidson and closes November 27 at Miami: 28 matches, three ranked opponents inside a nine-day stretch, and a program carrying real expectations for the first time in nearly a decade. The Tar Heels enter the year ranked in the AVCA preseason poll for the first time since 2017 and were picked fifth in the ACC - the clearest sign yet that Mike Schall's rebuild has landed. The non-conference and league slate together bring Kentucky, Nebraska, Stanford, SMU, Pittsburgh and a Louisville home-and-home, with four of those six away from Chapel Hill. All times are Eastern unless noted.

Full dates, first-serve times, venues and broadcast assignments are below.

North Carolina Volleyball 2026 Photo Gallery

Top Games to Watch

  • Stanford at North Carolina

    Sunday night

    The ACC's preseason favorite in a Sunday-night ESPN window at Carmichael. The biggest home date of the year, and the building will feel considerably louder than the seating chart suggests.

  • North Carolina at Louisville

    ACC play

    One half of a home-and-home against a preseason top-10 program. Stealing the road leg would reshape the whole resume.

  • North Carolina at Pittsburgh

    ACC play

    Pitt has reached five straight national semifinals. One of four ranked road matches on the schedule.

  • North Carolina at Kentucky

    Non-conference

    A preseason top-three program away from Chapel Hill, part of a deliberately hard non-conference slate.

  • Duke at North Carolina

    ACC play

    The Tobacco Road rivalry at Carmichael, and one of three home dates to buy early alongside Stanford and Louisville.

Key Players to Know

Safi Hampton

Outside Hitter

Senior from Jessup, Maryland at 6-1. Named to the preseason All-ACC team and the player the offense runs through in tight sets.

Chelsea Thorpe

Outside Hitter / Opposite

Graduate from Chicago at 6-3 and the other preseason All-ACC selection. Her positional flexibility between outside and opposite gives Schall matchup options most ACC teams cannot answer.

Zoe Behrendt

Setter

Senior from Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin at 6-0. A tall setter changes the blocking math at the net in a way box scores do not capture.

The middle blockers

Frontcourt depth

Meghan Clifford (6-4), Mackenzie Boyer (6-3), Sadie Swift (6-3), Lauren Schutter (6-2) and Jackie Taylor (6-1) give UNC five legitimate middles, with 6-4 freshman Lindley Miller behind them. Blocking should be a strength.

Season Expectations

Fresh off back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances and tabbed fifth in the ACC preseason poll, North Carolina is in unfamiliar territory: expected to be good. The realistic outcome is a top-five ACC finish and a third straight NCAA bid. The ceiling is winning the Stanford match, splitting with Louisville, and playing into the seeding conversation in late November. The floor is still a postseason team - this roster is too experienced to collapse.

The number to watch is whether Carolina can steal one of the ranked road matches.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who coaches North Carolina volleyball?
Mike Schall, in his fourth season. His rebuild has produced back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances and, in 2026, the program's first AVCA preseason ranking since 2017.
Where does UNC play its home matches?
Carmichael Arena, 310 South Road, Chapel Hill - on campus, a short walk from the Smith Center. It was UNC's basketball home before the Smith Center opened, and the volleyball configuration puts the crowd right on top of the court.
Where can I buy UNC volleyball tickets?
Tickets are sold through North Carolina Athletics. Student admission is free with a valid UNC One Card. The Stanford, Duke and Louisville home matches are the three to buy early.

Related Pages

Fan Guide · FAQ

North Carolina Volleyball FAQ 2026

Everything you need to know about North Carolina Tar Heels volleyball

Where do the Tar Heels play home games?

The North Carolina Tar Heels play their home volleyball matches at Carmichael Arena on the University of North Carolina campus in Chapel Hill.

How can I purchase tickets?

Tickets can be purchased through the UNC Athletics website, at the Carmichael Arena box office, or through authorized ticket resellers.

What time do doors open for matches?

Doors typically open 60 minutes before the scheduled match time. We recommend arriving early for the best seating options.

What conference is North Carolina in?

North Carolina competes in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), facing teams like Pittsburgh, Stanford, Louisville, and Duke in conference play.

Where can I find the full North Carolina Volleyball Schedule 2026?

The complete 2026 North Carolina volleyball schedule with every Tar Heels 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.

When does the North Carolina Tar Heels volleyball season start in 2026?

North Carolina opens the 2026 volleyball season in late August with non-conference play, then rolls into ACC matches from mid-September through November. The full 2026 slate leads into the NCAA Tournament in December.

Where do the Tar Heels play their home volleyball matches?

North Carolina plays home volleyball matches at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill. The arena hosts every home date on the 2026 schedule, and doors typically open about an hour before first serve.

How can I watch North Carolina volleyball games in 2026?

Most 2026 Tar Heels matches air on ACC 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.

Who are North Carolina's biggest 2026 volleyball opponents?

The 2026 schedule features ACC rivalry matches plus marquee non-conference tests. See the schedule table on this page for every Tar Heels opponent, dates and locations for the full 2026 season.

The Squad · Roster

North Carolina Volleyball Roster 2026

Meet the 11 athletes on the North Carolina Tar Heels volleyball team

#22

Safi Hampton

Outside Hitter
Year
Senior
Height
6'1"
Jessup, MD
#77

Chelsea Thorpe

Outside Hitter/Opposite
Year
Graduate
Height
6'3"
Chicago, IL
#1

Zoe Behrendt

Setter
Year
Senior
Height
6'0"
Whitefish Bay, WI
#23

Laynie Smith

Outside Hitter/Opposite
Year
Junior
Height
—
Durham, NC
#33

Hailey Pearce

Right Side
Year
Senior
Height
6'3"
Charlotte, NC
#—

Meghan Clifford

Middle Blocker
Year
—
Height
6'4"
—
#—

Mackenzie Boyer

Middle Blocker
Year
—
Height
6'3"
—
#—

Sadie Swift

Middle Blocker
Year
—
Height
6'3"
—
#—

Lauren Schutter

Middle Blocker
Year
—
Height
6'2"
—
#—

Jackie Taylor

Middle Blocker
Year
—
Height
6'1"
—
#—

Lindley Miller

Middle Blocker
Year
Freshman
Height
6'4"
Cary, NC
Leadership · Staff

North Carolina Volleyball Coaches 2026

The leadership behind North Carolina Tar Heels volleyball success

Mike Schall

Head Coach · 4 years with program

Mike Schall is in his fourth season at North Carolina. His rebuild has produced back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances and, in 2026, the program's first AVCA preseason ranking since 2017, with the Tar Heels picked fifth in the ACC.

Where to Watch

Where to Watch North Carolina Volleyball

Carmichael Arena

Address: 310 South Rd, Chapel Hill, NC 27599

Capacity: 3,500+ fans

UNC volleyball plays at Carmichael Arena, 310 South Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27514 - on campus, a short walk from the Smith Center. Carmichael is small by ACC standards, and that is the point: it was UNC's basketball home before the Smith Center opened, and the volleyball configuration puts the crowd right on top of the court. Doors typically open about an hour before first serve, student admission is free with a valid UNC One Card, and campus parking opens for evening events, though football Saturdays change everything. The Stanford, Duke and Louisville home matches are the three to buy early.

TV & Streaming

Networks: ACC Network, ESPN, ESPN2

Streaming: ACC Network Extra, ESPN+

Every ACC conference match is carried by ACC Network or ACC Network Extra (ACCNX), with selected dates on ESPN platforms - the Stanford home match is a Sunday-night ESPN window. Non-conference road matches stream on the host school's platform. ACC Network is available on Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, Fubo and DirecTV Stream, and ACCNX streams through the ESPN app with a TV provider login. Assignments are typically confirmed shortly before each match.

Student admission is free with a valid UNC One Card.

How to watch college volleyball

Heritage · Legacy

North Carolina Volleyball Program History

The North Carolina Tar Heels women's volleyball program has a proud tradition of excellence in the ACC. Under legendary head coach Joe Sagula, UNC has consistently competed at the highest level and produced numerous All-Americans.

The Tar Heels have been a fixture in the NCAA Tournament and have established themselves as a competitive program in the Atlantic Coast Conference. The program continues to attract top talent from across the country.

North Carolina volleyball has created a passionate fanbase at Carmichael Arena, with the arena providing an intimate home court advantage against ACC opponents.

Season Storylines

2026 North Carolina Volleyball Season

ACC Schedule

North Carolina faces tough ACC competition, battling rivals like Pittsburgh, Stanford, Louisville, and Duke throughout the conference season.

Home Games at Carmichael Arena

Experience the electric atmosphere at Carmichael Arena where North Carolina volleyball creates a passionate and intimidating home court advantage.

NCAA Tournament Path

Follow North Carolina's journey through the NCAA Tournament as the Tar Heels compete against the nation's best programs.

Go Tar Heels

Go Tar Heels!

Join thousands of Tar Heel fans supporting North Carolina volleyball