17 Must-Watch Big Ten Volleyball Matches on the 2025 Schedule

The 2025 Big Ten Volleyball schedule is packed with must-watch contests that will shape the entire landscape of NCAA Volleyball. 

Let's take a look. 

(All times Eastern).

Pitt at Nebraska – August 22 at 7 p.m. on FOX

The last time these powerhouses met, they were both No. 1 seeds in the 2023 NCAA Tournament. Nebraska swept Pitt in the national semifinal, never trailing in the last two sets. Now, they tip off the 2025 NCAA Volleyball season in the AVCA First Serve Showcase. 

Last season, both programs fell in the Final Four. Louisville knocked out Pitt 3-1, while Penn State stunned Nebraska with a reverse sweep in their semifinal clash. 

Harper Murray says this is the game she’s most excited for this season. The stage is set for fireworks in Lincoln, and don't be surprised if these two teams meet again deep in the postseason. 

Penn State vs. Creighton – August 23 at 5 p.m. on FS1

Defending NCAA Champion Penn State heads to Omaha for a rematch with serious title implications. In the 2024 regional final, No. 1 Penn State battled past No. 2 Creighton in a five-set thriller to advance to its 14th semifinal appearance. 

This early-season test will show us exactly where head coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley's squad stands as they begin to defend their title. But they're ready for the hype. 

"We talk about it so much as a team. We want to embrace the pressure," said Izzy Starck, the 2024 AVCA National Freshman of the Year. "We use it as a benefit to us." 

Texas A&M vs. Minnesota – August 25 at 8:30 p.m. on BTN

Two hungry 2024 postseason programs collide in what promises to be a statement game as part of the AVCA First Serve Showcase in Sioux Falls, S.D. These teams haven't faced off since 2016, when No. 6 Minnesota swept the No. 14 Aggies, giving the Gophers early momentum that they rode to an NCAA Semifinal appearance. 

The Gophers are returning three of their top four attackers from last season, including unanimous All-Big Ten First Team selection Julia Hanson. With team chemistry at an all-time high, Minnesota is primed to make noise on the national stage. 

“We have a lot of team values," said Hanson. "This year we just got close to each other, so it just really translates on the court." 

Wisconsin vs. Texas – August 31 at 2 p.m. on BTN

Talk about title pedigree! The 2021 NCAA Champions (Wisconsin) host the back-to-back 2022-23 NCAA Champions (Texas) inside the Kohl Center, a match that could preview a postseason contest. 

Too soon to call it a rivalry? Texas beat Wisconsin 3-1 in the 2023 national semifinal before claiming the title. While Wisconsin holds a 7-4 advantage all-time, the Longhorns have won the last three meetings.  

The Badgers will turn to four-time All-Big Ten honoree Carter Booth to lead the charge. Head coach Kelly Sheffield says, “she’s ready to be one of the best players in America.”

We'll see if the Badgers can flip the script on their home court. 

Penn State vs. Kentucky – September 5 at 8 p.m. on FOX

Last year, No. 7 Penn State beat No. 9 Kentucky with a reverse sweep in Lexington, including a do-or-die, 26-24 third set. 

With two players on the AVCA Player of the Year Watch List (one of whom is Purdue transfer Eva Hudson), the Wildcats will come to Happy Valley hungry for payback. They are favored to win the SEC this year and will bring a big challenge to the defending champions. 

While the Nittany Lions weren't afraid to flash their championship rings at Volleyball Media Days, their sights are set on 2025. They know that this early heavyweight bout could have massive postseason implications down the line. 

Penn State vs. Pitt – September 17 at 7 p.m. on BTN

Last year, Pitt handed Penn State one of its only two losses during the Nittany Lions' title season. 

Almost exactly a year later, the defending champions seek rivalry redemption on their home court, where they went undefeated during their championship run. With both programs consistently ranked in the top five, this clash could be another postseason teaser. 

Schumacher-Cawley says the championship glow of 2024 is "fading quickly" with "a new team that wants to make an impact." A redemptive rivalry win seems like a good place to start. 

Nebraska vs. Penn State – October 3 at 8 p.m. on FOX, November 28 at 6:30 p.m. on BTN

If you mark one matchup on your calendar... Make it Penn State-Nebraska. The reigning Big Ten Champions will square off twice in what could be the most significant regular season matches this year. 

These are rematches of last year's epic NCAA Semifinal, where Penn State rallied from a 2-0 deficit to advance to the national championship game. It was the Nittany Lions' first reverse sweep in the NCAA Tournament since their 2009 championship run... Coincidence? 

Penn State holds a 3-1 advantage over Nebraska in national semifinals historically, but the Huskers lead the all-time series 28-13. In the Big Ten Preseason Poll, Nebraska was picked first and Penn State second, suggesting that their late November meeting could be a conference title decider. 

"It haunts me," Nebraska's Rebekah Allick said about losing in the NCAA Semifinal. "We're tired of talking about 'let's get to the Final Four.' Let's win a national championship." 

Purdue at USC – October 4 at 9:30 p.m. on BTN 

The Boilermakers haven't faced USC in Los Angeles since 2006 when the Trojans won, 3-1. But Purdue got revenge last season with a 3-0 sweep on Senior Night in West Lafayette.  

USC was picked sixth in the preseason poll, with Purdue right behind at seventh—making this a crucial mid-pack battle. USC holds the historical edge, 4-1, and their six national championships provide plenty of pedigree.  

USC head coach Brad Keller has his sights set on another title. “If we’re not winning a championship, I’m not sure if it matters... We need to get to the Final Four, and we need to win championships. Everyone should be talking like that.” More from USC. 

A win over Purdue on their home court would certainly put the Trojans on the right path, but the Boilers won’t go down easily. 

Wisconsin at Penn State – October 10 at 7 p.m. on BTN

Two programs with national championship aspirations collide in what will be a pivotal point in the Big Ten season. The Badgers handed Penn State its only Big Ten loss last season with a 3-0 sweep in Madison.  

Wisconsin was picked third in the Big Ten Preseason Poll with Penn State second, and both teams had three Big Ten preseason honorees. The Badgers have won eight of the last 10 meetings, including their last two postseason encounters in the NCAA Regional Semifinals. 

Penn State was a perfect 20-0 at home last season, so Wisconsin will need their A game playing at Rec Hall. Both programs are top contenders for Big Ten and national titles, and this match could have massive implications for both races. 

USC vs. UCLA – October 11 at 3:30 p.m. on NBC, October 29 at 10 p.m. on BTN

This crosstown rivalry takes center stage twice, with UCLA picked fifth in the preseason poll and USC sixth. Their first contest is one of two Big Ten Volleyball matches on NBC this season. 

USC has won six of the last seven meetings, including both matchups in the schools’ Big Ten debut season. But UCLA is led by a handful of transfers and four All-Conference Preseason selections, and the Bruins believe they have the tools to make a run in the Big Ten this season. 

“We make the narrative what we want... We keep doing the work. I feel very confident in the pieces we have,” said head coach Alfee Reft. 

With local bragging rights and Big Ten standings on the line, we have the Battle of LA circled on our calendars. 

Indiana vs. Purdue– October 16 at 7 p.m. on BTN

This iconic rivalry gets the spotlight treatment at Gainbridge Fieldhouse for a special Indiana classic. It marks the first time these border rivals have met at a neutral site since 1981, when they squared off in Minneapolis. 

Purdue enters as the seventh-ranked team in the Big Ten Preseason Poll, while Indiana sits at 11th. The Boilermakers hold a 79-36 all-time advantage and swept both matchups in 2024. Their October meeting at Purdue last season set a then-record for the largest crowd at a Big Ten regular season match with 14,876 fans. We’ll expect even bigger numbers at Gainbridge. 

"Being able to play in a building like that, there's going to be thousands of young women in the stands watching," said Indiana head coach Steve Aird. "It's the right thing to do to grow the sport."

Be there or tune in for this one. 

UCLA vs. Oregon – October 22 at 10 p.m. on BTN, November 6 at 10 p.m. on FS1

Since 2000, UCLA holds a 28-19 historical advantage over Oregon. But momentum has shifted over the last few seasons - the Ducks have won the last six meetings and finished in the top 10 nationally last season. 

Oregon enters a new era with first-year head coach Trent Kersten. The former LMU head coach brings an entirely new roster to Eugene, including former LMU players Sophia Meyers and Marlee Arrington.  

"We're the underdogs right now," Meyers said. "We all have a chip on our shoulder, and we want to prove everybody wrong." 

UCLA, meanwhile, looks to reclaim supremacy with a revamped roster and high preseason expectations. The Bruins were selected fifth in the Big Ten Preseason Poll, giving them a chance to show that they belong among the conference elite. 

Both matchups promise late-night West Coast theatrics, with the November contest potentially serving as a season-defining moment for NCAA Tournament positioning. 

Nebraska at Wisconsin – October 31 at 9 p.m. on BTN

Late-season drama awaits as two of the conference's top contenders collide in Madison in what Kelly Sheffield expects to be a “Spooky Fieldhouse” on Halloween Night. This rematch of the 2024 NCAA Quarterfinal—where Nebraska swept Wisconsin—carries massive Big Ten and national championship implications. 

Nebraska, with three players on the AVCA Player of the Year Watch List, swept Wisconsin in all three 2024 meetings. The Badgers, with two players on the list, will look to recapture the magic from their 2017-2022 run when they won 10 straight against the Huskers. 

These types of rivalries are what spur the growth of college volleyball. Sheffield on the direction of the sport: “We’ve come a long way, and we’re nowhere near where we’re capable of being.” 

Minnesota vs. Wisconsin – November 5 at TBD on FS1, November 28 at 9 p.m. ET on BTN

These state border rivals face off twice in November for their 92nd and 93rd meetings. Minnesota holds a 52-39 historical advantage, but Wisconsin has claimed nine of the last 11. 

Minnesota, ranked fourth in the Big Ten preseason voting, defeated seventh-ranked Wisconsin in its 2024 Big Ten opener in a thrilling five-set battle. The Gophers are seeking their first conference title since 2018, while Wisconsin aims for their fifth championship in seven years. 

Minnesota head coach Keegan Cook on last season’s success and the win over the Badgers: “I hope I remember it as the good that precedes the great.” More from Minnesota. 

Nebraska at Minnesota – November 8 at 3:30 p.m. on NBC

Nebraska, the Big Ten preseason favorite, holds a 39-12 all-time advantage against Minnesota, has won the last three meetings, and is pursuing a third straight Big Ten Championship. 

Minnesota head coach Keegan Cook believes his balanced roster gives the Gophers "a lot of different looks [they] can throw people... throughout the season."  

Break out the popcorn. With Nebraska's championship experience facing Minnesota's hungry core, this prime-time showdown on NBC could shake up the conference standings. 

Purdue at Wisconsin – November 19 at TBD on BTN

Big Ten preseason No. 7 Purdue faces No. 3 Wisconsin at the Badgers’ ever-electric Field House. Since 2009, Wisconsin holds a 17-9 advantage, but the teams have split their last six meetings. 

Both programs finished ranked in the top 10 last season. Purdue seeks its first Big Ten title since 1985, while Wisconsin chases their fifth championship in seven years and another national title run.  

Purdue head coach Dave Shondell on the key to consistent success: “Hard work... and a mentality that you’re going to win. That’s something you have to create in this league, and it’s hard.” 

We’ll have our eyes on this likely pivotal, late-season battle. 

Illinois at UCLA – November 20 at TBD on FS1

In 2011, UCLA defeated Illinois in the NCAA Championship game to claim their fourth national title. Come 2025, Illinois is still chasing its first win over the Bruins. UCLA took a four-set victory back to Los Angeles after last season’s duel in Champaign. 

The Illini have reached the Sweet Sixteen (or better) 10 times since 2008 and enter 2025 with nine newcomers.  

"We've tried to shift our identity into being a team that's frustrating to play against," said Illinois senior Averie Hernandez. "We have a pretty upbeat, hype group, and I think that’s going to carry to actual physical play as well." 

Mark Your Calendars 

These marquee matchups showcase why Big Ten Volleyball continues to set the standard for the college game. From historic rivalries to championship contenders, there’s no days off in the 2025 schedule. 

Click here for the full list of televised matches. 

Want to know how the season plays out? Stay updated.