Fri28Home
BG
vs
Bowling Green
LOSS · L 1-3Covelli Center, Columbus, Ohio
Big Ten · BuckeyesOhio State
Ohio State
Volleyball 2026
Follow the Buckeyes across the Big Ten and beyond — schedule, opponents, times and where to watch every 2026 Ohio State volleyball match.
2-1
Record
27
Games
0
Players
Looking for dates, times and locations? Jump straight to the full Ohio State 2026 slate.
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Ohio State
W
Winthrop
Fri, Sep 11·6:00 pm ET
01Days
15Hours
39Min
00Sec
Ohio State Volleyball Schedule 2026
Aug
August 2026
Chapter 1 · 3 matches
Sat29Home
FS
vs
Fresno State
WIN · W 3-0Covelli Center, Columbus, Ohio
Sun30Home
vs
Northern Kentucky
WIN · W 3-1Covelli Center, Columbus, Ohio
Sep
September 2026
Chapter 2 · 9 matches
Wed02Away
at
Ole Miss
5:00 pm ETNorman, Okla.
Thu03Away
at
Oklahoma
7:00 pm ETNorman, Okla.
Fri11Home
W
vs
Winthrop
6:00 pm ETCovelli Center, Columbus, Ohio
Sat12Home
vs
Southern Indiana
4:00 pm ETCovelli Center, Columbus, Ohio
Sun13Home
YS
vs
Youngstown State
2:00 pm ETCovelli Center, Columbus, Ohio
Fri18Away
V
at
Virginia
6:00 pm ETCharlottesville, Va.
Sat19Away
V
at
Virginia
3:00 pm ETCharlottesville, Va.
Fri25Away
at
Iowa
TBAIowa City, Iowa
Sat26Away
at
Nebraska
TBALincoln, Neb.
Oct
October 2026
Chapter 3 · 9 matches
Thu01Home
vs
Rutgers
TBACovelli Center, Columbus, Ohio
Sat03Away
at
Northwestern
TBAEvanston, Ill.
Fri09Home
vs
Washington
TBACovelli Center, Columbus, Ohio
Sun11Home
vs
Minnesota
TBACovelli Center, Columbus, Ohio
Fri16Away
at
USC
TBALos Angeles, Calif.
Sun18Away
at
UCLA
TBALos Angeles, Calif.
Fri23Home
vs
Indiana
TBACovelli Center, Columbus, Ohio
Sat24Home
vs
Oregon
TBACovelli Center, Columbus, Ohio
Thu29Away
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at
Penn State
TBAUniversity Park, Pa.
Nov
November 2026
Chapter 4 · 6 matches
Sun01Away
at
Illinois
TBAChampaign, Ill.
Wed04Home
vs
Purdue
TBACovelli Center, Columbus, Ohio
Sat07Away
at
Michigan State
TBAEast Lansing, Mich.
Wed11Away
at
Michigan
TBAAnn Arbor, Mich.
Fri13Home
vs
Wisconsin
TBACovelli Center, Columbus, Ohio
Tue17Home
vs
Maryland
TBACovelli Center, Columbus, Ohio
Ohio State Volleyball 2026: Season Outlook & Program Overview
Original analysis of the Ohio State Buckeyes program, coaching staff, and 2026 outlook.
2026 Season Outlook
Ohio State enters 2026 with a clear identity under head coach Jen Flynn Oldenburg — physical, defense-first, and built to survive the expanded 18-team Big Ten. The Buckeyes' schedule is structured around a heavy home stretch in Columbus at the Covelli Center, sandwiched by road trips through Nebraska, Penn State and the West Coast Big Ten schools. A top-half Big Ten finish and a return to the NCAA Tournament are realistic targets, with room to climb if the pin-hitter rotation stays healthy.
Program History & Tradition
Ohio State volleyball has been a Big Ten fixture for decades, with multiple NCAA Tournament appearances and a coaching lineage that runs from the legendary Jim Stone through Geoff Carlston to former Buckeye All-American Jen Flynn Oldenburg. The 2019 move into the Covelli Center — a purpose-built, on-campus volleyball venue — has upgraded both recruiting and home-court atmosphere in Columbus.
Head Coach Spotlight
Jen Flynn Oldenburg was the 1999 Big Ten Player of the Year at Ohio State and a member of the USA National Team before returning to Columbus as head coach. Her program prizes aggressive serving, in-system passing and disciplined blocking, with a Midwest-heavy recruiting philosophy that leans on Ohio's deep club-volleyball pipeline.
What to Watch in 2026
The Jim Stone Challenge opening weekend, the Big Ten/SEC Challenge trip to Norman, the Virginia road weekend, and a marquee November home stretch featuring Purdue, Wisconsin and Maryland at Covelli headline the 2026 slate. Nebraska on Sep 26 and Penn State on Oct 29 are the biggest road tests of the year.
Ohio State Volleyball 2026 Schedule Overview
The 2026 Ohio State Buckeyes volleyball schedule opens Friday, August 28 at the Covelli Center in Columbus with the Jim Stone Challenge — three home matches in three days against Bowling Green, Fresno State and Northern Kentucky, named for the legendary former Buckeyes head coach. From there, head coach Jen Flynn Oldenburg's group hits the road for the Big Ten/SEC Challenge in Norman, Oklahoma, drawing Ole Miss on September 2 and Oklahoma on September 3 in one of the toughest opening non-conference weekends any Big Ten team will play. The mid-September homestand — the Sports Imports Classic against Winthrop, Southern Indiana and Youngstown State at Covelli — bridges directly into a two-match ACC-style road trip at Virginia in Charlottesville before Big Ten play begins. The expanded 18-team Big Ten sends the Buckeyes to Iowa, Nebraska (Sep 26), Northwestern, USC, UCLA and Penn State (Oct 29) — a brutal road stretch — with home weekends against Rutgers, Washington, Minnesota, Indiana, Oregon, Purdue, Wisconsin and Maryland. Rivalry weekend includes trips to Michigan State (Nov 7) and Michigan (Nov 11) before the season closes on November 17 hosting Maryland at Covelli. This page tracks every 2026 Ohio State volleyball match with dates, opponent, location, kickoff time and confirmed broadcast network as they are announced. All times are Eastern unless otherwise noted; Big Ten Network and Peacock finalize windows 7-10 days before first serve.
Ohio State Volleyball 2026 Photo Gallery
TV & Streaming Information
Big Ten Network and Peacock carry nearly every Ohio State conference match. B1G+ streams most home dates that are not on television, and the Big Ten/SEC Challenge trip to Oklahoma will stream on SEC Network+ or ESPN+ depending on the school's local rights. Non-conference matches at Virginia will stream on ACCNX. BTN is available on Fubo, YouTube TV, DirecTV Stream and Sling Blue with the Sports add-on; B1G+ and Peacock are direct subscriptions. Confirmed networks post to ohiostatebuckeyes.com about a week before each match.
Top Games to Watch
Ohio State at Nebraska
Sep 26, 2026
The Buckeyes' toughest road test of the regular season — Devaney Center, sold out, against the perennial Big Ten favorite.
Ohio State at Penn State
Oct 29, 2026
Rec Hall on a Thursday night. Two of the Big Ten's most historic programs meet in one of the loudest volleyball buildings in America.
Ohio State vs. Wisconsin
Nov 13, 2026
Marquee November home date at the Covelli Center against another Big Ten title contender. Likely on Big Ten Network in prime time.
Key Players to Know
Ohio State Front Row
Outside Hitters / Middles
Return-heavy pin-hitter rotation built around aggressive serving, in-system passing, and disciplined blocking at the net.
Setter Room
Setter
Runs Jen Flynn Oldenburg's balanced, distribute-across-all-four-hitters offense — an identity that mirrors her own playing days at Ohio State.
Back Row
Libero / DS
Anchors a defense-first Big Ten identity, with serve-receive and dig-per-set numbers that consistently rank in the top half of the conference.
Venue Information
The Covelli Center, opened in 2019 and seating 3,700 for volleyball, is a purpose-built, on-campus volleyball facility on the west side of Ohio State's athletic campus. It is one of the newest and best-designed volleyball venues in the Big Ten, with a raised student section, intimate sightlines and modern broadcast infrastructure. Address: 555 Borror Dr, Columbus, OH 43210. Parking is available in the West Campus garages and the surface lots along Woody Hayes Drive.
Season Expectations
Realistic ceiling: a top-six Big Ten finish, an NCAA Tournament at-large bid, and a home Round of 32 hosting opportunity at the Covelli Center. Floor: a middle-of-the-pack conference finish and an NCAA at-large invitation. Anything less than an NCAA Tournament appearance would be a step back from the program's recent trajectory.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who is the Ohio State volleyball head coach?
- Jen Flynn Oldenburg leads the Buckeyes. A former Ohio State All-American setter and 1999 Big Ten Player of the Year, she returned to Columbus as head coach after playing for the USA National Team.
- What is the capacity of the Covelli Center?
- The Covelli Center seats 3,700 for volleyball. It is Ohio State's on-campus, purpose-built volleyball venue, opened in 2019.
- Where can I buy Ohio State volleyball tickets in 2026?
- Tickets are sold through ohiostatebuckeyes.com and the Covelli Center box office. Student admission is free with a valid BuckID; premier Big Ten weekends often sell out ahead of first serve.
Related Pages
Fan Guide · FAQ
Ohio State Volleyball FAQ 2026
Everything you need to know about Ohio State Buckeyes volleyball
Where can I find the full Ohio State Volleyball Schedule 2026?
The complete 2026 Ohio State volleyball schedule with every Buckeyes match, opponent, date, time and location is listed on this page. It is updated whenever Ohio State Athletics confirms new times, TV assignments or venue changes.
Where do the Ohio State Buckeyes play their home volleyball matches?
Ohio State plays its home volleyball matches at the Covelli Center in Columbus, Ohio. The Covelli Center hosts the Jim Stone Challenge, the Sports Imports Classic and every Big Ten home date on the 2026 schedule.
When does the 2026 Ohio State volleyball season start?
The Buckeyes open the 2026 season on Friday, August 28 at the Jim Stone Challenge in Columbus, hosting Bowling Green, Fresno State and Northern Kentucky across the opening weekend.
How can I watch Ohio State volleyball games in 2026?
Most 2026 Ohio State matches will air on Big Ten Network or stream on B1G+ and Peacock, with select non-conference and cross-conference dates on ESPN/ESPN+. Broadcast networks are confirmed by conference offices 7-10 days before each match.
Who are Ohio State's biggest 2026 volleyball opponents?
The 2026 Big Ten slate features marquee matches at Nebraska (Sep 26), at Penn State (Oct 29), home vs. Wisconsin (Nov 13) and a rivalry weekend at Michigan (Nov 11). Non-conference tests include Ole Miss and Oklahoma at the Big Ten/SEC Challenge and a two-match set at Virginia.
What is the Jim Stone Challenge?
The Jim Stone Challenge is Ohio State's season-opening home tournament at the Covelli Center, named for the legendary former Buckeyes head coach. In 2026 it features Ohio State, Bowling Green, Fresno State and Northern Kentucky across Aug 28-30.
What conference is Ohio State volleyball in?
Ohio State competes in the Big Ten Conference for volleyball, facing programs like Nebraska, Wisconsin, Penn State, Minnesota, USC, UCLA, Oregon, Washington and the traditional Big Ten schools.
How many national championships has Ohio State volleyball won?
The Ohio State women's volleyball program has not yet won an NCAA national championship, but the Buckeyes have made multiple NCAA Tournament appearances and produced numerous All-Americans and Big Ten Player of the Year honorees over the program's history.
Where can I buy Ohio State volleyball tickets in 2026?
Single-match tickets and season packages are sold through ohiostatebuckeyes.com and the Covelli Center box office. Student tickets are free with a valid BuckID; premier Big Ten weekends often sell out in advance.
Leadership · Staff
Ohio State Volleyball Coaches 2026
The leadership behind Ohio State Buckeyes volleyball success
JFO
Jen Flynn Oldenburg
Head Coach
4 years with program
A former Ohio State All-American setter and Big Ten Player of the Year, Jen Flynn Oldenburg returned to Columbus as head coach and has rebuilt the Buckeyes into a physical, defense-first Big Ten program.
ACS
Assistant Coaching Staff
Assistant Coaches
2 years with program
The Ohio State staff emphasizes serve-pressure volleyball, disciplined blocking, and player development, with a growing recruiting footprint across the Midwest and Ohio's deep club-volleyball pipeline.
Heritage · Legacy
Ohio State Volleyball Program History
Ohio State's women's volleyball program is one of the Big Ten's most respected, with multiple NCAA Tournament appearances, Elite Eight runs, and a long tradition of producing All-Americans, Big Ten Players of the Year and USA National Team members from the Columbus pipeline.
The program built its identity under head coach Jim Stone across three decades before transitioning into the modern era under Geoff Carlston and — most recently — former Buckeyes All-American Jen Flynn Oldenburg. The move into the Covelli Center in 2019 gave Ohio State one of the best purpose-built volleyball facilities in the country.
The Buckeyes have historically been at their best when they combine an aggressive service game with disciplined block-defense — traits that continue to define the current staff's identity as Ohio State navigates the expanded 18-team Big Ten.
Where to Watch
Where to Watch Ohio State Volleyball
Covelli Center
Address: 555 Borror Dr, Columbus, OH 43210
Capacity: 3,700 fans
Opened in 2019, the Covelli Center is a purpose-built, on-campus volleyball venue at Ohio State — intimate sightlines, a raised student section and one of the loudest mid-sized crowds in the Big Ten.
TV & Streaming
Networks: Big Ten Network, FS1, Peacock
Streaming: B1G+, Peacock, ESPN+ (non-conference)
Can't make it to Columbus? Watch Buckeye volleyball on BTN, Peacock or B1G+ — check the schedule row for the confirmed network as each match approaches.
Season Storylines
2026 Ohio State Volleyball Season
Jim Stone Challenge
The 2026 season opens August 28-30 at the Covelli Center with the Jim Stone Challenge — three straight home matches against Bowling Green, Fresno State and Northern Kentucky, plus pool play on the schedule.
Big Ten Gauntlet
Ohio State's expanded Big Ten schedule sends the Buckeyes to Nebraska, Penn State, USC, UCLA and Michigan, with home dates against Wisconsin, Minnesota, Rutgers, Oregon, Indiana, Purdue and Maryland at Covelli.
Big Ten/SEC Challenge
Cross-conference play brings back-to-back trips to Norman for Ole Miss (Sep 2) and Oklahoma (Sep 3) in the Big Ten/SEC Challenge — an early-season measuring stick before conference play.
Go Buckeyes
Go Buckeyes!
Join Buckeye Nation supporting Ohio State volleyball at the Covelli Center in 2026