Where can I buy Tennessee volleyball tickets?

Tickets are sold through Tennessee Athletics. Students get in free with a valid UT ID, and parking is easier on volleyball nights than football or basketball.

Vol. LVII · 2026 Season · SEC

The Tennessee Volleyball Gazette

Complete 2026 Volunteers schedule, roster & coaching staff

5-0

Record

Games

Roster

#22

Rank

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

Looking for dates, times and locations? Jump straight to the full Tennessee 2026 slate.

View Schedule

Next MatchHome

Tennessee

Coastal Carolina

Sat, Sep 12·3 p.m. ET

02Days

09Hours

39Min

23Sec

13AugThu
vsHome
Eastern Kentucky (Exh.)
6:30 p.m. ETFood City Center, Knoxville, Tenn.
22AugSat
C(
atAway
Cincinnati (Exh.)
1 p.m. ETCincinnati, Ohio
28AugFri
C
vsHome
Colgate
WIN· W 3-0Food City Center, Knoxville, Tenn.
29AugSat
MS
vsHome
Morehead State
WIN· W 3-0Food City Center, Knoxville, Tenn.
29AugSat
F
vsHome
Fairfield
WIN· W 3-0Food City Center, Knoxville, Tenn.
01SepTue
vsHome
Illinois
WIN· W 3-0Food City Center, Knoxville, Tenn.
06SepSun
atAway
Indiana
WIN· W 3-0Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, Tenn.
09SepWed
atAway
Pitt
7 p.m. ETState Farm Field House, Kissimmee, Fla.
12SepSat
CC
vsHome
Coastal Carolina
3 p.m. ETFood City Center, Knoxville, Tenn.
15SepTue
Q
atAway
Queens
5:00 p.m. ETCharlotte, N.C.
19SepSat
U
atAway
USF
TBAUniversity Park, Pa.
20SepSun
atAway
Penn State
TBAUniversity Park, Pa.
25SepFri
vsHome
Texas
TBAFood City Center, Knoxville, Tenn.
02OctFri
atAway
Florida
TBAGainesville, Fla.
04OctSun
atAway
Auburn
TBAAuburn, Ala.
09OctFri
vsHome
Ole Miss
TBAFood City Center, Knoxville, Tenn.
11OctSun
vsHome
LSU
TBAFood City Center, Knoxville, Tenn.
16OctFri
atAway
Arkansas
TBAFayetteville, Ark.
18OctSun
atAway
Oklahoma
TBANorman, Okla.
21OctWed
vsHome
Kentucky
TBAFood City Center, Knoxville, Tenn.
25OctSun
vsHome
Vanderbilt
TBAFood City Center, Knoxville, Tenn.
30OctFri
atAway
Texas A&M
TBACollege Station, Texas
01NovSun
atAway
Missouri
TBAColumbia, Mo.
06NovFri
vsHome
Mississippi State
TBAFood City Center, Knoxville, Tenn.
08NovSun
vsHome
Alabama
TBAFood City Center, Knoxville, Tenn.
13NovFri
atAway
Georgia
TBAAthens, Ga.
15NovSun
atAway
South Carolina
TBAColumbia, S.C.

Tennessee Volleyball 2026: Season Outlook & Program Overview

Original analysis of the Tennessee Volunteers program, coaching staff, and 2026 outlook.

2026 Season Outlook

Tennessee opens the 2026 season on August 28 against Colgate at Food City Center and closes the regular season on November 15 at South Carolina: 27 matches, a Big Ten/SEC Challenge date with Illinois, a neutral-site trip to Nashville, and a full 18-match SEC schedule. The engine is Caroline Kerr, a preseason All-SEC pick by the league's head coaches entering her fourth season as the starting setter, sixth in program history with over 3,250 career assists and a three-time All-American. When a setter has run the same offense for four years, the tempo and decision-making are baked in, and that is Tennessee's biggest structural advantage. Six transfers arrived through the portal - Kennedi Rogers from SMU, Eryn Jones from TCU, Nia Hall, Raegan Burns from Kansas, Jalyn Stout and Mallory Matheny from Indiana - which is significant depth insurance for the October crush but also the season's main risk, because chemistry takes time and this schedule does not grant much of it. The realistic case is an upper-half SEC finish and an NCAA bid; the optimistic case is a top-four league finish and a seeded position, built on holding serve at home against Texas and Kentucky.

Program History & Tradition

Tennessee has grown from an SEC afterthought into a program that recruits nationally and wins in the transfer portal under Eve Rackham Watt. Home matches are at Food City Center at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville - the same building Tennessee basketball uses, renamed in 2023 after the arena's renovation, which is why older listings still say Thompson-Boling. For volleyball the arena runs a reduced configuration rather than the full basketball bowl, keeping the crowd tight to the court and the noise contained.

Head Coach Spotlight

Eve Rackham Watt has turned Tennessee from an SEC afterthought into a program that recruits nationally and wins in the portal. Her teams are built around serve pressure, structured defense and balanced scoring rather than one dominant pin. Her staff includes Gavin Watt as assistant coach and director of player development, Susan Clements as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator, and Brian Magbitang as assistant coach, with Tyler Adams directing player personnel and analytics and MaryAnn O'Toole directing operations.

What to Watch in 2026

Illinois arrives on September 1 for the Big Ten/SEC Challenge, Penn State comes three weeks in, and Texas opens SEC play - a stretch that will test a portal-heavy roster before it has had time to settle. If the Volunteers look disjointed in early September, that is normal and not necessarily predictive; if they still look disjointed in mid-October, the margin is gone. The Kentucky and Texas home dates are the two that fill Food City Center, so arrive early for those. Back-row depth is the quiet strength: Tennessee carries five listed liberos and defensive specialists, and in a conference where matches turn on serve-receive, genuine competition at libero is a luxury.

Tennessee Volleyball 2026 Schedule Overview

Last updated: August 24, 2026

Tennessee opens the 2026 season on Friday, August 28 against Colgate at Food City Center and closes the regular season on Sunday, November 15 at South Carolina. In between: 27 matches, a Big Ten/SEC Challenge date with Illinois, a neutral-site trip to Nashville, and a full 18-match SEC schedule. The roster is built around fifth-year setter Caroline Kerr, a preseason All-SEC pick entering her fourth season running the offense, and a six-player transfer class that adds significant depth. All times are Eastern unless noted, and the page is updated as the athletic department confirms changes. Full dates, first-serve times, venues and broadcast assignments are below.

Tennessee opens August 28 against Colgate at Food City Center in Knoxville.

Tennessee Volleyball 2026 Photo Gallery

Tennessee Lady Vols volleyball player spinning a volleyball on her finger in a light blue No. 12 uniform ahead of the 2026 season — Warming up before first serve

Tennessee volleyball players huddling as a packed orange-clad Thompson-Boling Arena crowd cheers during a 2026 home match — Team huddle between points

Wide view of a Tennessee Lady Vols volleyball match on the orange court in Knoxville — Wide view of the match court

Tennessee volleyball player high-fiving teammates during starting lineup introductions at a road match in Chattanooga — High-fives after a big rally

TV & Streaming Information

Tennessee's matches are split across SEC Network, SEC Network+ and ESPN platforms, with the Big Ten/SEC Challenge date against Illinois following that event's broadcast arrangement. Non-conference road matches stream on the host school's platform. Assignments are typically confirmed shortly before each match and the table above is updated as they are announced. UT students get in free with a valid student ID, and parking is easier on volleyball nights than football or basketball, with campus lots near the arena opening in the evening.

Top Games to Watch

Texas at Tennessee
SEC play
The SEC opener at home against the preseason No. 2, and one of two matches that fill Food City Center.
Kentucky at Tennessee
SEC play
The other date that fills the building, against a preseason top-three program. Holding serve at home in these two is the difference between an upper-half finish and a seeded one.
Illinois at Tennessee
Tuesday, September 1
The Big Ten/SEC Challenge date, three days into the season - an early test for a roster breaking in six transfers.
Tennessee vs. Penn State
Non-conference
Three weeks into the season, against the 2024 national champion. The schedule grants very little time to settle.
Tennessee at South Carolina
Sunday, November 15
The regular-season finale on the road, closing the 18-match SEC slate.

Key Players to Know

Caroline Kerr

Setter

Fifth year from Champaign, Illinois. Named to the preseason All-SEC team by the league's head coaches, entering her fourth season as Tennessee's starting setter, and ranks sixth in program history with over 3,250 career assists. A three-time All-American, and the reason a portal-heavy roster can run a faster offense than most.

Mackenzie Plante

Outside Hitter

Senior from Dripping Springs, Texas at 6-2, with four years in the system. The pairing of an experienced setter and an experienced outside is what lets Tennessee run a riskier offense than most teams can.

Anni Tang

Middle Blocker

Freshman from Sydney, Australia at 6-7 - the tallest player on the roster and the most intriguing developmental piece. Freshman middles rarely start in the SEC, but the block ceiling is real.

The transfer class

Six additions

Kennedi Rogers (SMU), Eryn Jones (TCU), Nia Hall (Cleveland State/South Carolina), Raegan Burns (Kansas), Jalyn Stout (Coastal Carolina) and Mallory Matheny (Indiana) all arrived via the portal - six players with prior Division I minutes.

Venue Information

Home matches are at Food City Center at Thompson-Boling Arena, 1600 Phillip Fulmer Way, Knoxville, TN 37916. It is the same building Tennessee basketball uses; the naming rights changed in 2023 after the arena's renovation, which is why older listings still say Thompson-Boling. For volleyball the arena runs a reduced configuration rather than the full basketball bowl, keeping the crowd tight to the court and the noise contained - a genuinely good atmosphere, better than the raw seating number would suggest. Doors typically open about an hour before first serve, and students get in free with a valid UT ID.

Season Expectations

The realistic case is that Tennessee finishes in the upper half of the SEC and plays its way into the NCAA Tournament. The optimistic case is a top-four league finish and a seeded position, built on holding serve at home against Texas and Kentucky. The risk is the one facing every team with a portal-heavy roster - chemistry takes time, and this schedule does not grant much of it. If the Volunteers look disjointed in early September that is normal and not necessarily predictive; if they still look disjointed in mid-October, the margin is gone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who coaches Tennessee volleyball?: Eve Rackham Watt. Her staff includes Gavin Watt as assistant coach and director of player development, Susan Clements as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator, and Brian Magbitang as assistant coach.
Where does Tennessee play its home matches?: Food City Center at Thompson-Boling Arena, 1600 Phillip Fulmer Way, Knoxville. The naming rights changed in 2023 after the arena's renovation, which is why older listings still say Thompson-Boling. Volleyball uses a reduced configuration rather than the full basketball bowl.
Where can I buy Tennessee volleyball tickets?: Tickets are sold through Tennessee Athletics. Students get in free with a valid UT ID, and parking is easier on volleyball nights than football or basketball.

Leadership · Staff

Tennessee Volleyball Coaches 2026

The leadership behind Tennessee Volunteers volleyball success

ERW

Director of Operations

0 years with program

Directs day-to-day operations for the program.

Fan Guide · FAQ

Tennessee Volleyball FAQ 2026

Everything you need to know about Tennessee Volunteers volleyball

Where do the Volunteers play home games?

The Tennessee Volunteers play their home volleyball matches at Food City Center on the University of Tennessee campus in Knoxville.

How can I purchase tickets?

Tickets can be purchased through the Tennessee Athletics website, at the Food City Center 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 Tennessee in?

Tennessee competes in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), facing teams like Kentucky, Texas, Texas A&M, and Florida in conference play.

Where can I find the full Tennessee Volleyball Schedule 2026?

The complete 2026 Tennessee volleyball schedule with every Volunteers 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 Tennessee Volunteers volleyball season start in 2026?

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

Where do the Volunteers play their home volleyball matches?

Tennessee plays home volleyball matches at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville. The arena hosts every home date on the 2026 schedule, and doors typically open about an hour before first serve.

How can I watch Tennessee volleyball games in 2026?

Most 2026 Volunteers matches air on SEC 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 Tennessee's biggest 2026 volleyball opponents?

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

The Squad · Roster

Tennessee Volleyball Roster 2026

Meet the 9 athletes on the Tennessee Volunteers volleyball team

#11

SEC Schedule

Tennessee faces tough SEC competition, battling rivals like Kentucky, Texas, Texas A&M, and Florida throughout the conference season.

Home Games at Food City Center

Experience the electric atmosphere at Food City Center where Tennessee volleyball creates a passionate and intimidating home court advantage.

NCAA Tournament Path

Follow Tennessee's journey through the NCAA Tournament as the Volunteers compete against the nation's best programs.

Heritage · Legacy

Tennessee Volleyball Program History

The Tennessee Volunteers women's volleyball program has emerged as a rising power in the Southeastern Conference. Under head coach Eve Rackham Watt, Tennessee has consistently improved and become a regular NCAA Tournament participant.

The Volunteers have developed a strong recruiting pipeline, particularly from Texas, and established an exciting brand of volleyball. The program continues to build toward championship-level competition.

Tennessee volleyball has created a passionate fanbase at Food City Center, with the arena providing an electric home court advantage against SEC opponents.

Where to Watch

Where to Watch Tennessee Volleyball

Food City Center

Address: 1600 Phillip Fulmer Way, Knoxville, TN 37916

Capacity: 21,678 fans

Food City Center (Thompson-Boling Arena) provides an electric atmosphere for every Tennessee volleyball match with passionate Vol fans.

TV & Streaming

Networks: SEC Network, ESPN, ESPN2

Streaming: SEC Network+, ESPN+

Can't make it to Knoxville? Catch every Tennessee volleyball match on television or streaming platforms.

Go Volunteers

Go Vols!

Join thousands of Volunteer fans supporting Tennessee volleyball

The Tennessee Volleyball Gazette

Tennessee Volleyball Schedule 2026

Eastern Kentucky (Exh.)

Cincinnati (Exh.)

Colgate

Morehead State

Fairfield

Illinois

Indiana

Pitt

Coastal Carolina

Queens

USF

Penn State

Texas

Florida

Auburn

Ole Miss

LSU

Arkansas

Oklahoma

Kentucky

Vanderbilt

Texas A&M

Missouri

Mississippi State

Alabama

Georgia

South Carolina