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Indiana, Nebraska, Penn State and Purdue Share Big Ten Volleyball Weekly Awards

Unknown — Mon, 14 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Player of the Week
Manaia Ogbechie, Nebraska
So. – MB – Santa Rosa Valley, Calif.

Led the No. 1 Huskers to a 3-0 week, totaling 33 kills on 53 swings, hitting .547 and recording 3.30 kills per set
Tallied nine kills on .538 hitting with five blocks against New Mexico
Posted a career-high 12 kills on .571 hitting with two blocks vs. No. 20 Baylor
Matched her career-high with 12 kills on .526 hitting and five blocks in Nebraska’s win against Georgia Tech
Last Nebraska Player of the Week: Andi Jackson (Nov. 10, 2025)

Defensive Player of the Week
Dior Charles, Purdue
Sr. - MB – Los Angeles, Calif.

Ranked second in the Big Ten last week averaging 1.88 blocks/set in Purdue’s 3-0 week, which included a Paradise Invitational title in the Bahamas and a trio of sweeps
Helped hold opponents to .147 average hitting percentage, leading the blocking effort that saw Purdue lead the Big Ten last week in team blocks per set (3.22)
Totaled 15 blocks across three matches, including five vs. No. 8 SMU to give the Boilermakers their first top 10 win of the season
Last Purdue Defensive Player of the Week: Ryan McAleer (Oct. 6, 2025)

Setter of the Week
Teodora Kričković, Indiana
So. – S – Novi Sad, Serbia

Led Indiana to a 3-0 week, which included a pair of sweeps
Averaged 11.60 assists per set in three wins, adding 11 kills, 18 digs, six blocks and five aces
Set the Hoosiers to a combined .338 hitting percentage, which included a season-high .391 against Eastern Illinois. With Kričković leading the offense, all five of Indiana’s primary hitters had at least five kills in each match
Last Indiana Setter of the Week: Teodora Kričković (Sept. 8, 2025)

Freshman of the Week
Haley Burgdorf, Penn State
OH – St. Charles, Ill.

Hit .463 while averaging 2.67 kills per set and 1.67 digs per set in Penn State’s sweeps over DePaul, No. 4 Stanford and Ohio
Hit .450 with 10 kills, nine digs and two aces against the nationally ranked Cardinal, scoring match point on her second ace of the evening
Hit .545 with eight kills and five digs in the win against DePaul, adding six kills (.400 hitting) against Ohio
Last Penn State Freshman of the Week: Caroline Jurevicius (Dec. 2, 2024)

2026 Big Ten Players of the Week
Aug. 31
P: Marianna Singletary, Fifth-Year, UCLA
D: Maija Howse, So., WASH
S: Bergen Reilly, Sr., NEB
F: Kylie Kleckner, WASH
Sept. 7
P: Mckenna Wucherer, Fifth-Year, MINN
D: Anna Bardaro, Fr., WIS
S: Marina Crownover, Fifth-Year, ORE
F: Meredith Martin, MICH
Sept. 14
P: Manaia Ogbechie, So., NEB
D: Dior Charles, Sr., PUR
S: Teodora Kričković, So., IND
F: Haley Burgdorf, PSU

Big Venues, Bigger Wins: Ranked Programs Rolling

Unknown — Mon, 14 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Iconic venues and marquee matchups took center stage in Big Ten volleyball country. Highlighting a big weekend, No. 12 Penn State conquered the Palestra while No. 1 Nebraska defended home court in its new-look venue.

Penn State Sweeps No. 4 Stanford in Philly

In its first match at The Palestra in 41 years, No. 12 Penn State delivered one of its biggest wins of the season, sweeping No. 4 Stanford (27-25, 25-20, 25-21) on Friday night.

Freshman star Haley Burgdorf fueled the win, hitting .450 with 10 kills, nine digs, and two aces. Double-doubles from Kennedy Martin and Alexis Stucky, plus 11 kills from Whitney Lauenstein, capped off a dominant team performance. The Nittany Lions held Stanford to just a .206 hitting percentage in the win. Read Penn State’s full recap here.

Wisconsin Downs Defending Champs in Texas

Coming off a flawless 2026 Allstate Big Ten/SEC Volleyball Challenge Week, No. 6 Wisconsin outlasted defending champion No. 19 Texas A&M in a five-set clash on Friday in College Station. Charlie Fuerbringer notched her 21st career double-double with 43 assists, 19 digs, and a career-high eight kills, anchoring a Wisconsin defense that recorded a season-high 17 blocks.

When the Aggies jumped to an early lead in the fifth set, the Badgers didn't flinch. Senior Eva Travis sparked the comeback with consecutive kills, and freshman Anna Bardaro dropped in a clutch ace to snatch the lead before Wisconsin rattled off three straight points to seal the win. Read more about the Badgers here.

In the finale of their Lone Star State tour, the Badgers fell to No. 9 Texas on Sunday, 3-1.

New Look, Same Dominance: No. 1 Nebraska Sweeps Renovated Home Openers

No. 1 Nebraska kicked off a new era in Lincoln, opening the newly renovated John Cook Arena with wins over New Mexico, No. 20 Baylor and Georgia Tech.

After sweeping New Mexico Thursday, the top-ranked Huskers swept Baylor on Friday (25-20, 25-22, 26-24), driven by 12 kills from Harper Murray, 41 assists from Bergen Reilly, and 13 digs apiece from Laney Choboy and Olivia Mauch (season highs for each). On Saturday, Georgia Tech stole the opening frame — Nebraska’s first set loss of the season — before the Husker defense took complete control. Nebraska stormed back for a 3-1 victory while holding the Yellow Jackets to a staggering .027 hitting percentage. Read about the Huskers’ wins against Baylor and Georgia Tech.

Up next is an in-state rivalry clash with No. 15 Creighton on Wednesday at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Though the Bluejays lost 2025 Big East Player of the Year Ava Martin, Brian Rosen’s squad still packs plenty of punch with Trinity Shadd-Ceres, Ayden Ames, and Saige Damrow. The Huskers will look to extend their winning streak to eight and secure state bragging rights in front of a sold-out crowd.

Purdue Sweeps SMU in Bahamas

After making history as the first team to win an NCAA volleyball match played outside the United States with a win over Houston on Saturday, No. 14 Purdue defeated No. 8 SMU in straight sets (30-28, 25-23, 25-22) to be crowned the Paradise Invitational Champions.

In the first ever NCAA volleyball tournament played internationally, three Boilermakers reached double-digit kills in the championship; Grace Heaney led with 12, along with seven digs and three assisted blocks. The victory extends Purdue’s streak to 12 consecutive seasons with a top-10 win. More from the Boilers.

The action does not slow down this week. Check out the complete schedule here.

Photo via gopsusports.com

Heavy Hitters & High Stakes: Volleyball Matchups to Watch This Weekend

Unknown — Fri, 11 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Big Ten volleyball is in full swing after going 16-13 in the 2026 Allstate Big Ten/SEC Volleyball Challenge Week, capped off by an unforgettable night at Wrigley Field . The action doesn’t slow down, with contenders bracing for an action-packed slate of non-conference clashes across the country.

With top-25 teams testing their mettle, here’s a preview of the biggest matches to watch this weekend.

No. 4 Stanford vs. No. 12 Penn State

Two volleyball titans collide at The Palestra in Philadelphia. No. 12 Penn State will rely on All-American hitter Kennedy Martin, who leads the team with 61 kills, to set the physical tone at the net. On the other side, No. 4 Stanford counters with fellow AVCA Player of the Year Watchlist member and middle blocker Lizzy Andrew, who leads the Cardinal with 28 blocks.

Expect to see extended rallies and heavy reliance on transition scoring to decide tight late-set scenarios in this matchup. Watch on Friday at 6 p.m. ET on Big Ten Network.

No. 6 Wisconsin vs. No. 19 Texas A&M & No. 9 Texas

No. 6 Wisconsin embarks on a demanding Lone Star State swing, visiting No. 19 Texas A&M in College Station before heading to Austin for a top-10 showdown against No. 9 Texas. Led by the playmaking of star setter Charlie Fuerbringer and the aggressiveness of freshman outside hitter Audrey Flanagan, the Badgers look to impose their attack against a physical Aggies squad hoping for its first 2026 win over a Big Ten opponent after losing to both Purdue and Indiana.

Then we’ll have an NCAA Tournament Elite Eight rematch in Wisconsin’s duel against the Longhorns. Last season, Fuerbringer’s 57 assists helped the Badgers eliminate Texas and advance to the national semifinals. She’ll have to get everyone involved to top a Longhorn squad that's sat with the sting of that loss since December.

Watch the battle against the Aggies on Friday at 8 p.m. ET on SEC Network before the postseason rematch with Texas on Sunday at 3 p.m. ET on ESPN.

No. 20 Baylor vs. No. 1 Nebraska

Top-ranked Nebraska welcomes No. 20 Baylor to Lincoln for the renovated Bob Devaney Sports Center’s first ranked volleyball match of the season. The unanimous Big Ten favorite Cornhuskers boast a loaded lineup anchored by their senior trio of reigning Big Ten Player of the Year Bergen Reilly, outside hitter Harper Murray, and middle blocker Andi Jackson. Baylor brings a fast-tempo offense to Lincoln with star sophomore Ksenia Rakhmanchik, but disrupting No. 1 Nebraska on its home floor requires nearly flawless ball control from start to finish.

The Huskers look to continue their perfect start against the Bears on Friday at 8 p.m. ET on Big Ten Network.

No. 24 Oregon vs. No. 7 Arizona State

West Coast powers clash in Tempe as No. 24 Oregon takes on No. 7 Arizona State in the Snyder-Park Classic. The Ducks are riding an undefeated start to the season at 5-0 and have yet to drop more than one set in a match. Oregon is powered by Valentina Vaulet and Alanah Clemente, who combined average over 6.5 kills per set. Now, the Ducks run into a Sun Devils squad that swept three straight matches until losing to UC Davis Thursday night. Arizona State is led by former Wisconsin Badger Una Vajagić and her 85 kills. We’ll see how the Ducks defense responds on Friday at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN+.

No. 14 Purdue vs. No. 8 SMU / No. 3 Kentucky

No. 14 Purdue travels to the Bahamas for the Paradise Invitational, where it will take on Houston on Saturday and a top-10 opponent in either No. 8 SMU or No. 3 Kentucky on Sunday. Purdue’s offensive firepower from Addy Tindall (73 kills) and steady net play behind Dior Charles (22 blocks) make the Boilers a tough matchup. We’ll see if they can pull off an upset against either SMU’s fast-paced front row or Kentucky’s high-octane offense. Tune in on Sunday at either 1 p.m. ET (ESPN) or 5 p.m. ET (ESPN2).

No. 16 USC vs. No. 23 Colorado

Former conference foes clash in Los Angeles at the Galen Center as USC hosts Colorado on Saturday. USC features redshirt junior London Wijay and sophomore Abigail Mullen, who are averaging a combined 6.77 kills per set through four matches. The Buffaloes are rolling at 6-0 behind a defense holding its opponents to a .139 hitting percentage and ranking sixth in the nation with 3.27 blocks per set. We’ll see if the Trojans can overpower it on Saturday at 9 p.m. ET on B1G+.

The action does not stop there — both Michigan and UCLA have the chance to pull off upsets. Check out the full schedule here.

Photo credit: goducks.com

Big Ten Weekly Volleyball Central - Sept. 9-15

Unknown — Wed, 09 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Big Ten Volleyball | Big Ten Standings | Big Ten Composite Schedule

Big Ten Statistics | NCAA Statistics | Big Ten Weekly Release - Sept. 9

Eight Big Ten volleyball programs were among this week’s AVCA/TARAFLEX Top 25: #1 Nebraska, #6 Wisconsin, #12 Penn State, #13 Minnesota, #14 Purdue, #16 USC, #21 Indiana and #24 Oregon. Michigan and UCLA received votes in the poll.
The Big Ten won the inaugural Allstate Big Ten/SEC Volleyball Challenge Week, compiling a 16-13 record against SEC foes. No. 14 Purdue swept No. 12 Texas A&M, No. 5 Wisconsin rallied past No. 17 Florida in five sets, Michigan State swept both LSU and South Carolina, while No. 21 Indiana beat Georgia and the nationally ranked Aggies. Washington clinched the Challenge title for the conference with a four-set win against Oklahoma at the Sooners’ McCasland Field House.
Iowa swept Iowa State on Tuesday for its first win in Ames since 1994. It was the Hawkeyes’ first win over the Cyclones since 2021.
Michigan State earned its fifth-straight sweep and sixth-consecutive victory on Tuesday with a 3-0 win over Western Michigan. The Spartans have won 17-straight sets, their highest total since winning 23-straight sets during the 2018 season.
Oregon’s Marina Crownover became the program’s first Big Ten Setter of the Week, leading Oregon to a 3-0 week to improve to 5-0 on the season.
Michigan’s Ella Demetrician was named the Valpo Popcorn Classic MVP after recording double-doubles in both matches. She posted 13 kills, 16 digs and five blocks against Cincinnati before registering a career-high 21 kills with 16 digs and five blocks against Valparaiso.
Minnesota’s Mckenna Wucherer earned her first career Big Ten Weekly Honor, being named Big Ten Player of the Week after she combined for 42 kills, averaging 5.25 kills per set and hit .350 in Minnesota’s pair of matches against Auburn (W, 3-1) and #17 Florida (L, 1-3).
Nebraska at DePaul drew 8,786 fans to Wintrust Arena on Friday night, setting the single-match indoor attendance record in the state of Illinois for a women’s college volleyball match. Two days later, 43,067 fans filled Wrigley Field for Penn State vs. Kentucky and Nebraska vs. Missouri, becoming the second-largest attended volleyball event in Big Ten history.
Purdue will play in the first of its kind destination tournament in Nassau, Bahamas, for the Paradise Invitational, Sept. 11-13. The Boilermakers are set to make history as part of the first internationally played NCAA volleyball match, and the first collegiate volleyball match ever played in the Bahamas.
Wisconsin plays two more opponents in the Top 25 this week, visiting No. 19 Texas A&M and No. 9 Texas. Five of the Badgers’ six opponents so far this season have been among the Top 25, four of which were among the Top 10.
The Big Ten Conference will usher in a new era of collegiate volleyball this fall with the launch of its inaugural tournament November 20-25, 2026, at Fishers Event Center in Fishers, Ind. The top 15 teams in the regular-season standings will qualify for the tournament, bringing the nation’s premier volleyball programs together in one venue for the first time. Three matches will be played in the opening round of the tournament, followed by four second-round matches. The competition will then progress through the quarterfinals and semifinals, culminating with the championship match slated for November 25 on FOX. One off day will be built into the tournament schedule. The Big Ten regular-season schedule will decrease from 20 to 17 matches, in a single, round-robin format to account for the tournament.

GENESIS NAMED THE OFFICIAL LUXURY VEHICLE OF THE BIG TEN CONFERENCE

Unknown — Wed, 09 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Genesis has been named the Official Luxury Vehicle of the Big Ten Conference, its first such partnership in college athletics. While the partnership begins with football, it will expand to additional Big Ten sports throughout the year, including men’s and women’s basketball, as well as volleyball, baseball, softball, ice hockey, and wrestling.

“The Big Ten Conference embodies many of the values that define our brand, including a relentless commitment to excellence,” said Amy Marentic, chief marketing officer of Genesis Motor America. “As our first partnership in college athletics, this collaboration represents an important opportunity to engage with one of the nation's largest and most passionate sports audiences, deepen our connection with consumers across the country, and continue growing awareness and consideration for Genesis. Together with the strong foundation we've established through golf, this partnership helps us expand our reach and further elevate the Genesis brand in the U.S.”

The brand’s partnership with the Big Ten Conference is part of Genesis’ broader strategy to connect with college alumni and passionate fans deeply engaged with their favorite teams. With 9.4 million alumni coast-to-coast and nearly 823,000 students, the Big Ten Conference’s presence is felt and heard from New York to the Midwest, to Southern California.

Building on Genesis’ global sports portfolio of prominent golf sponsorships, the partnership with college football aims to elevate the brand’s awareness in the United States, one of its fastest-growing markets. This strategic partnership has helped the brand build meaningful connections with consumers who prioritize performance, dedication, and excellence.

"We are proud to expand our relationship with Genesis while highlighting a broad array of Big Ten sports and competition," said Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti. "We are equally excited to see the stories of our student-athletes and their families come to life as part of the partnership."

As Official Luxury Vehicle, Genesis will be integrated into the 2026 Discover Big Ten Football Championship on FOX by delivering the championship trophy onto the Lucas Oil Stadium field in a Genesis vehicle. The partnership also includes activation space at the Big Ten Football Championship Fan Fest, creating additional opportunities for fans to engage with Genesis throughout championship weekend.

Beyond football, Genesis has already been featured across Big Ten athletics through branding and broadcast mentions, including the Allstate Big Ten SEC Volleyball Challenge at Wrigley Field. Looking ahead, Genesis will continue to be featured across FOX, FS1, BTN, NBC, Peacock, and CBS throughout men's and women's basketball games, the inaugural 2026 Big Ten Volleyball Tournament, and select Olympic Sport Championships, including ice hockey, softball, baseball, and wrestling.

Genesis has also extended its existing partnership with NBC Sports as pre-game presenting sponsor of the Big Ten College Countdown pregame show through the 2028 season. The sponsorship will span the full college football season for select matchups from Big Ten Football and Notre Dame Football, airing live on NBC and streaming on Peacock.

New for this year, Genesis debuted custom online content produced by NBC Universal’s Rock Studios and distributed across NBC and Peacock, as well as FOX, FS1 and BTN, with cutdowns for social. Featuring the Genesis GV80, the content celebrates the dedication, commitment and support families provide throughout an athlete’s journey.

The brand will be featured prominently throughout NBC Sports’ college football coverage through integrated branding, verbal mentions, custom show opens and outros, and placements across select game broadcasts, livestreams, and pregame programming. Additionally, Genesis will be showcased in college football social media highlights and extended highlights on YouTube, ensuring strong visibility across platforms.

The comprehensive partnership was developed in coordination between Genesis' media agency Canvas Worldwide and its advertising agency of record, INNOCEAN USA.

For more information on Genesis and its entire lineup of vehicles, visit www.genesis.com .

Lifelong Memories, History Made at Wrigley

Unknown — Tue, 08 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT

The Big Ten claimed bragging rights in the 2026 Allstate Big Ten/SEC Volleyball Challenge Week, asserting its prowess across the crossover showcase with a record of 16-13. Powered by gritty five-set thrillers and dominant sweeps, the conference displayed deep talent against some of the nation's top contenders.

We wouldn't have expected it all to end with Nebraska Volleyball leading a crowd of over 43,000 fans in belting Kelly Clarkson. But that's exactly what happened at Wrigley Field on Sunday, and boy, was it special. Let's take a look.

Notable Challenge Week Wins

No. 14 Purdue made a statement in West Lafayette, sweeping No. 12 Texas A&M behind Addy Tindall’s 16 kills before surviving a five-set thriller against Georgia sealed by setter Taylor Anderson's clutch dump .
No. 5 Wisconsin rallied past No. 17 Florida in a heart-stopping 15-13 fifth set in front of a sold-out crowd — claiming its first UW Field House win of the season Later, the Badgers took care of business with a sweep of Auburn behind freshman Halle Thompson’s first career double-double.
Washington showcased early-season grit by fending off a ferocious comeback attempt from Ole Miss to secure a five-set victory. Then, the Huskies followed it up with a clutch performance on Friday over Oklahoma, clinching the challenge victory for the Big Ten and continuing their undefeated start to the season.
Michigan State swept both LSU and South Carolina in decisive fashion. Led by senior Alanna Bankston’s career-high 18 kills against the Gamecocks, the Spartans never let the SEC balance the floor and are 5-0 overall for the second straight season.
After defeating Georgia following pivotal kills from Jaidyn Jager and decisions from setter Teodora Krickovic, No. 21 Indiana surged behind Ella Boersema’s career-high 21-kill performance to top the defending champion Aggies.
No. 11 Minnesota bounced back against Auburn to pick up its second win of the season. Junior Stella Swenson had a nasty no-look kill in the first set as the Gophers took control.

All of that set the stage for Sunday and the first-ever volleyball matches at the Friendly Confines.

"This turnout is absolutely incredible”: College Volleyball makes history, memories at Wrigley Field

Under a September sky and the lights of Wrigley Field, baseball gave way to history to cap off the 2026 Allstate Big Ten/SEC Volleyball Challenge Week.

While No. 13 Penn State fell 3-1 to No. 3 Kentucky in the opener, the energy inside the Friendly Confines never wavered. Kids lined the railings holding signs that told the story of the night: “Is this heaven? No, it’s Big Ten volleyball at Wrigley Field!” One simply read, “This is the best day of my life.”

The weight of the moment wasn't lost on Penn State head coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley. Returning to her hometown (where she previously coached UIC), the Chicago native marveled at the atmosphere.

“Chicago is one of the best cities in the world. There’s a reason why it’s a great sports town,” Schumacher-Cawley said. “(It’s) nice to see a lot of people, a lot of Penn State alum and a lot of great volleyball fans.”

After Schumacher-Cawley's Nittany Lions faced Kentucky, the spotlight shifted to No. 1 Nebraska's showdown with Missouri. The sea of Husker red roared throughout the starting lineups, its reverberations shaking the stadium after Harper Murray, Andi Jackson, and Bergen Reilly were announced over the speakers.

When moisture forced the match to be suspended just a few rallies in, the young aspiring athletes, families, and volleyball fans in the crowd brought the lifeblood of sports culture into the ballpark. As staff used everything from towels to leaf blowers to dry the court, the players took the energy into their own hands, leading over 43,000 fans in serenading the stadium with a full-throated chorus of the Backstreet Boys' “I Want It That Way.” Hearing the first few notes of Justin Bieber’s “Baby”, Ryan Hunter took center stage for a dance off on the court, and the student-athletes' evident joy spread throughout the dancing crowd.

The energy in the air at Wrigley, where tens of thousands of people gathered in one of the most historic venues in all of American sports, reminded us how the moments singing in the stands, dancing with teammates, and conga lining through the concourse—yes, really! —are often the stories we tell for the rest of our lives.

When safety concerns ultimately called the match, Reilly, Murray, Jackson, and Laney Choboy came out to address the crowd.

"We’re so lucky we get to experience something like this,” Murray said. “We’re so sorry from the bottom of our hearts, but thank you guys for being the best fans in the country. Go Big Red — we love you.”

“None of this would be possible without you [fans],” Reilly said. “We want to give you guys our all and we couldn’t do that tonight, so we’ll keep doing it the rest of this season. We love you all.”

“Nothing that we do would be possible without all of you guys,” Choboy said. “You show up every single game, all the time, no matter where we’re playing, and we could not be more thankful for a fan base that is willing to do anything for us.”

Jackson then hurried over to Mizzou on the other side of the court, leading the teams and fans alike in a sing-along of Kelly Clarkson’s “Since U Been Gone.”

It wasn't an ending written in the scorebook, but it was undoubtedly an inimitable, unforgettable night for volleyball fans at the Friendly Confines.

Schumacher-Cawley put it best: "I think it's amazing for not only these four teams, but for women's volleyball and the city of Chicago."

With the challenge victory clinched, the league turns its attention to the remainder of non-conference play before Big Ten matchups and, later, the inaugural Big Ten Volleyball Tournament . We’ve seen upsets, thrillers, and stars emerge already — and the season is just getting started.

Michigan, Minnesota, Oregon and Wisconsin Claim Big Ten Volleyball Weekly Honors

Unknown — Mon, 07 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Player of the Week
Mckenna Wucherer, Minnesota
Fifth-Year – OH – Brookfield, Wis.

Combined for 42 kills, averaging 5.25 kills per set and hit .350 in Minnesota’s pair of matches against Auburn (W, 3-1) and #17 Florida (L, 1-3)
Added six aces, 20 digs and five blocks on the week
Tied a career-high with 21 kills to lead Minnesota to a 3-1 win (25-12, 21-25, 25-16, 26-24) over Auburn, also recording 21 kills against the nationally ranked Gators
Against Auburn, her 21 kills was a match high, hitting .312 in 51 swings. Wucherer also produced a career-high four aces in the win, including two in the fourth set
Wucherer earns her first career Big Ten weekly honor
Last Minnesota Player of the Week: Julia Hanson (Sept. 1, 2025)

Defensive Player of the Week
Anna Bardaro, Wisconsin
Fr. - DS/L – Montebelluna, Italy

Recorded back-to-back, double-digit digs last week in Wisconsin’s pair of wins against No. 17 Florida and Auburn, averaging 4.50 digs per set
Tied a career-best with 19 digs against Florida and followed-up with 17 digs in three sets against Auburn the next day
Bardaro’s defensive efforts helped the Badgers limit the Auburn offense to a .196 hitting efficiency
Last Wisconsin Defensive Player of the Week: Carter Booth (Sept. 22, 2025)

Setter of the Week
Marina Crownover, Oregon
Fifth-Year – S – Austin, Texas

Averaged 10.91 assists per set and 4.09 digs per set to go along with two double doubles in Oregon’s 3-0 week
Dished out a season-high 48 assists, leading the Oregon offense to a .339 team hitting percentage, adding 11 digs, two aces and two blocks in a four-set win at Missouri
Tallied 27 assists, eight digs and three aces as Oregon hit .277 in the sweep of Long Island
Capped the week with 45 assists, 26 digs and six kills in a four-set win over Washington State
Last Oregon Setter of the Week: Marina Crownover (Sept. 7, 2026)

Freshman of the Week
Meredith Martin, Michigan
L – Northville, Mich.

Recorded 74 digs during Michigan’s 3-1 week, earning Valpo Popcorn Classic All-Tournament team honors
Averaged 4.63 digs per set in Michigan’s wins over LSU, Cincinnati and Valparaiso and five-set loss to South Carolina
Recorded 20 digs for the first time in her career in the sweep over Cincinnati, adding 21 assists, three aces and her first two career kills
Last Michigan Freshman of the Week: May Pertofsky (Oct. 7, 2019)

Big Ten Statement Regarding Nebraska/Missouri Match at Wrigley Field

Unknown — Mon, 07 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Due to weather conditions affecting the court surface, Sunday's volleyball match between Nebraska and Missouri has been suspended.

Despite best efforts and in collaboration with all parties, rescheduling at Wrigley Field is not possible.

A decision on match continuation at the point of suspension will be announced at a later date.

2026 Allstate Big Ten/SEC Volleyball Challenge Week Central

Unknown — Sun, 06 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Big Ten Volleyball | SEC Volleyball

BIG TEN RECORD: 16-12
SEC RECORD: 12-16

WRIGLEY FIELD MATCHES
#13 Penn State vs. #3 Kentucky - 6 p.m. CT - FOX
#1 Nebraska vs. Mizzou - 8 p.m. CT - FOX

Penn State Match Notes | Kentucky Match Notes | Nebraska Match Notes | Mizzou Match Notes

2026 Allstate Big Ten/SEC Volleyball Challenge Week
MATCH DATE	HOME	AWAY	TIME (ET)	LOCATION	LINKS	RESULTS
Tuesday, Sept. 1	Michigan State	LSU	4:30 p.m.	Crisler Center (Ann Arbor, Mich.)	BTN \| Live Stats	Michigan State 3, LSU 0
Tuesday, Sept. 1	Arkansas	Rutgers	5 p.m.	Historic Memorial Gymnasium (Nashville, Tenn.)	SECN+ \| Live Stats	Rutgers 3, Arkansas 0
Tuesday, Sept. 1	Indiana	Georgia	6 p.m.	Mackey Arena (West Lafayette, Ind.)	FS1 \| Live Stats	Indiana 3, Georgia 1
Tuesday, Sept. 1	Michigan	South Carolina	6:30 p.m.	Crisler Center (Ann Arbor, Mich.)	BTN \| Live Stats	South Carolina 3, Michigan 2
Tuesday, Sept. 1	Tennessee	Illinois	7 p.m.	Food City Center (Knoxville, Tenn.)	SEC Network \| Live Stats	Tennessee 3, Illinois 0
Tuesday, Sept. 1	Purdue	Texas A&M	8 p.m.	Mackey Arena (West Lafayette, Ind.)	FS1 \| Live Stats	Purdue 3, Texas A&M 0
Tuesday, Sept. 1	Vanderbilt	Maryland	8 p.m.	Historic Memorial Gymnasium (Nashville, Tenn.)	SECN+ \| Live Stats	Vanderbilt 3, Maryland 0
Tuesday, Sept. 1	Missouri	Oregon	9 p.m.	Hearnes Center (Columbia, Mo.)	SEC Network \| Live Stats	Oregon 3, Missouri 1
Tuesday, Sept. 1	Minnesota	Florida	9 p.m.	UW Fieldhouse (Madison, Wis.)	BTN \| Live Stats	Florida 3, Minnesota 1
Wednesday, Sept. 2	Michigan State	South Carolina	4 p.m.	Crisler Center (Ann Arbor, Mich.)	B1G+ \| Live Stats	Michigan State 3, South Carolina 0
Wednesday, Sept. 2	Indiana	Texas A&M	5 p.m.	Mackey Arena (West Lafayette, Ind.)	BTN \| Live Stats	Indiana 3, Texas A&M 2
Wednesday, Sept. 2	Arkansas	Maryland	5 p.m.	Historic Memorial Gymnasium (Nashville, Tenn.)	SECN+ \| Live Stats	Maryland 3, Arkansas 1
Wednesday, Sept. 2	Ole Miss	Ohio State	5 p.m.	McCasland Field House (Norman, Okla.)	SECN+ \| Live Stats	Ole Miss 3, Ohio State 1
Wednesday, Sept. 2	Minnesota	Auburn	6 p.m.	UW Fieldhouse (Madison, Wis.)	FS1 \| Live Stats	Minnesota 3, Auburn 1
Wednesday, Sept. 2	Purdue	Georgia	7 p.m.	Mackey Arena (West Lafayette, Ind.)	BTN \| Live Stats	Purdue 3, Georgia 2
Wednesday, Sept. 2	Kentucky	UCLA	7 p.m.	Historic Memorial Coliseum (Lexington, Ky.)	ESPN2 \| Live Stats	Kentucky 3, UCLA 0
Wednesday, Sept. 2	Michigan	LSU	7 p.m.	Crisler Center (Ann Arbor, Mich.)	B1G+ \| Live Stats	Michigan 3, LSU 1
Wednesday, Sept. 2	Wisconsin	Florida	8 p.m.	UW Fieldhouse (Madison, Wis.)	FS1 \| Live Stats	Wisconsin 3, Florida 2
Wednesday, Sept. 2	Vanderbilt	Rutgers	8 p.m.	Historic Memorial Gymnasium (Nashville, Tenn.)	SECN+ \| Live Stats	Vanderbilt 3, Rutgers 1
Wednesday, Sept. 2	Texas	USC	9 p.m.	Gregory Gymnasium (Austin, Texas)	ESPN2 \| Live Stats	Texas 3, USC 0
Thursday, Sept. 3	Alabama	Northwestern	3 p.m.	Newell-Grissom Building (Starkville, Miss.)	SECN+ \| Live Stats	Northwestern 3, Alabama 1
Thursday, Sept. 3	Ole Miss	Washington	4 p.m.	McCasland Field House (Norman, Okla.)	SECN+ \| Live Stats	Washington 3, Ole Miss 2
Thursday, Sept. 3	Oklahoma	Ohio State	7 p.m.	McCasland Field House (Norman, Okla.)	SECN+ \| Live Stats	Oklahoma 3, Ohio State 2
Thursday, Sept. 3	Wisconsin	Auburn	8 p.m.	UW Fieldhouse (Madison, Wis.)	FS1 \| Live Stats	Wisconsin 3, Auburn 0
Thursday, Sept. 3	Mississippi State	Iowa	8 p.m.	Newell-Grissom Building (Starkville, Miss.)	SECN+ \| Live Stats	Mississippi State 3, Iowa 1
Friday, Sept. 4	Alabama	Iowa	3 p.m.	Newell-Grissom Building (Starkville, Miss.)	SECN+ \| Live Stats	Alabama 3, Iowa 1
Friday, Sept. 4	Oklahoma	Washington	4 p.m.	McCasland Field House (Norman, Okla.)	SECN+ \| Live Stats	Washington 3, Oklahoma 1
Friday, Sept. 4	Mississippi State	Northwestern	7 p.m.	Newell-Grissom Building (Starkville, Miss.)	SECN+ \| Live Stats	Mississippi State 3, Northwestern 1
Sunday, Sept. 6	Penn State	Kentucky	7 p.m.	Wrigley Field (Chicago, Ill.)	FOX \| Live Stats	Kentucky 3, Penn State 1
Sunday, Sept. 6	Nebraska	Missouri	9 p.m.	Wrigley Field (Chicago, Ill.)	FOX \| Live Stats	Postponed

Shondell’s Record-Breaking Win, Indiana and Wisconsin Knock Off National Champ in Allstate Big Ten/SEC Challenge Week

Unknown — Fri, 04 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT

The 2026 Allstate Big Ten/SEC Challenge Week is well underway, with conference heavyweights going head-to-head across the country. With five matches remaining, the Big Ten holds a 15-10 advantage. Take a look at how we got here and what’s up next.

Purdue Sweeps Defending Champions in West Lafayette

No. 14 Purdue kicked off its 2026 Allstate Big Ten/SEC Volleyball Challenge Week with a sweep of defending champion No. 12 Texas A&M at Mackey Arena on Tuesday. With the win, Dave Shondell became Purdue's all-time winningest head coach , passing men’s basketball icon Gene Keady. Since taking over in 2003, he has guided the Boilermakers to at least one top-25 victory in every single season.

The Boilermakers got their first win of the season in straight sets (27-25, 25-23, 25-20), with outside hitters Addy Tindall and Lameen Mambu combining for 28 kills and three attack errors on 58 attacks. As a team, Purdue hit at a .388 clip while holding the Aggies’ AVCA Player of the Year Watch List honorees each under a .215 hitting %. Read the complete recap here.

Purdue hung on to top Georgia the next night and beat both of its SEC opponents for the week.

Indiana Defeats Texas A&M in Thriller

A day after Purdue swept the Aggies, the No. 21-ranked Hoosiers earned a statement victory of their own at Mackey, defeating Texas A&M in five sets (26-24, 26-28, 25-23, 17-25, 15-9). Third-year hitter Ella Boersema had a career-high 21 kills while hitting nearly .500 on the night. Jaidyn Jager registered 17 kills and Teodora Krickovic added seven in a complete team effort.

Indiana will now head to Nashville to face No. 22 Tennessee as it looks to finish the week 3-0 against SEC teams. Read the complete recap here.

Wisconsin Claims First Home Win of the Season in Five-Set Battle vs. Florida

In their first regular season game at UW Field House, the fifth-ranked Badgers beat No. 17 Florida in five sets (25-21, 20-25, 25-19, 24-26, 15-13) in front of a sold-out crowd. Freshman Audrey Flanagan continued the strong start to her career, leading Wisconsin with 18 kills. Junior Charlie Fuerbringer posted a double-double with a season-high 55 assists and 15 digs.

In the final set, Wisconsin took control at the end, pulling away to seal the 15-13 win over the Gators. Read the complete recap here. The Badgers also swept Auburn Thursday night to finish challenge week 2-0.

2026 Allstate Big Ten/SEC Volleyball Challenge Week Concludes at Wrigley Field

The challenge finishes up at one of America’s most famous stadiums, the Friendly Confines of Wrigley Field, with an iconic double-header.

First, No. 13 Penn State battles No. 3 Kentucky in the opening match. The Nittany Lions are riding a three-game winning streak into Chicago, two of those being sweeps over UConn and Hofstra. They will now face a Kentucky squad that has won three straight games via 3-0 sweeps, giving Penn State its biggest test of the young season so far.

To close out the week, No. 1 Nebraska takes on Missouri. The Huskers (3-0) have yet to lose a set this season, including a ranked sweep over No. 2 Texas and 2-0 sweeps of No. 11 SMU and No. 17 Florida at the Spikes Under the Lights exhibition. With senior Bergen Reilly — who was named the Big Ten Setter of the Week — leading the way, Nebraska looks to add another impressive win to its resume at the Friendly Confines.

Check out the full volleyball schedule for all the dates, times, and broadcast information.

Photo from purduesports.com

Big Ten Network Celebrates Season 20

Unknown — Wed, 02 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT

As the Big Ten Network begins Season 20, the network is highlighting two decades of the Big Ten’s top games, remarkable moments and noteworthy student-athletes with a collection of new original programming. As part of the celebratory year, BTN also announced Thrivent as the presenting sponsor of BTN Season 20 and DIRECTV as the associate sponsor.

As the 20th season of football gets underway, all 18 Big Ten programs will be featured throughout the first three weeks of BTN’s television schedule. Additionally, B1G Tailgate will begin its 10th season with on-site visits to the last two National Champions, beginning with a trip to Ohio State on Saturday, Sept. 5, followed by a show from Indiana on Saturday, Sept. 12.

B1G Network Season 20: 20 Moments: Debuting later this fall, a series hosted by acclaimed sportswriter and columnist Gene Wojciechowski takes fans through 20 of the most memorable moments covered by BTN over the last two decades. Highlights include the first Iowa Wave, Nebraska volleyball setting an attendance record at Memorial Stadium and Indiana’s Curt Cignetti’s introduction to the Big Ten.

Original Documentaries: Over the last 20 years, the Big Ten Conference and its 18 institutions have played a significant role in the growth of women’s sports. The B1G Story: Rise of Women’s Sports provides a look at how the Big Ten was at the forefront of this movement and features sit-down interviews with an array of guests including former Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany, former Iowa women’s basketball head coach Lisa Bluder, former Nebraska volleyball head coach John Cook, Northwestern lacrosse head coach Kelly Amonte Hiller and trailblazing broadcaster Lisa Byington, among others.

A second new edition of The B1G Story will debut in 2027, highlighting the Big Ten Network’s commitment to providing educational opportunities to current and former students across all 18 Big Ten campuses. Through three defining programs – BTN NOW, the BTN Experience and StudentU – over 8,000 participants have received hands-on training, individualized feedback and future career opportunities in the broadcast industry. This upcoming documentary will explore these programs, the people behind them and their impact across the conference.

B1G Network Season 20: Moments and Memories: From day one, five on-air personalities have been a part of the Big Ten Network, helping shape the network into what it is today. Later this year, Dave Revsine, Rick Pizzo, Mike Hall, Howard Griffith and Gerry DiNardo will sit down for a roundtable discussion to reflect on the origins of the network, relive their favorite moments over the last two decades and share stories of working together from the very beginning of BTN.

Alongside the original programming, BTN is set to air two school-specific vignettes for all 18 schools throughout the season. These 36 vignettes will highlight notable athletic achievements from each Big Ten program that aired on BTN, including Jonathan Taylor leading Wisconsin to a walk-off triple-overtime victory over Purdue in 2018, Minnesota’s Rachel Banham scoring an NCAA-record-tying 60 points against Northwestern in 2016 and Penn State wrestling setting the all-time NCAA attendance record for an indoor dual during a win over Iowa in 2025.

To commemorate BTN’s landmark 20th season, B1G+ is introducing a limited-time offer where fans can receive $20 off an Annual Pass with code BTN20. The offer is available through Wednesday, Sept. 30 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

Additional digital coverage of BTN Season 20 presented by Thrivent will be available via the Big Ten Network’s X , Facebook , YouTube and Instagram platforms. All television programming also streams live via FOX One . A full schedule can be found at bigten.org/btn/btn-tv-schedule and is subject to change.

BTN’s Season 20 coverage kicks off Thursday, Sept. 3 with the first football doubleheader of the season, beginning with Rutgers hosting Massachusetts at 6 p.m. ET, followed by Illinois facing off with UAB at 9 p.m. ET. Highlights throughout the first three weeks of BTN’s football schedule include Ohio State hosting Ball State at 12:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, Sept. 5, Indiana facing Howard at noon ET on Saturday, Sept. 12, and BTN’s first conference matchup of the season between Purdue and UCLA on Saturday, Sept. 19, at 11 p.m. ET.

Big Ten Weekly Volleyball Central - Sept. 1-7

Unknown — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Big Ten Volleyball | Big Ten Standings | Big Ten Composite Schedule

Big Ten Statistics | NCAA Statistics | Allstate Big Ten/SEC Volleyball Challenge Week | Big Ten Weekly Release - Sept. 1

Eight Big Ten volleyball programs were among this week’s AVCA/TARAFLEX Top 25: #1 Nebraska, #5 Wisconsin, #11 Minnesota, #13 Penn State, #14 Purdue, #15 USC, #21 Indiana and #25 Oregon. Michigan and UCLA received votes in the poll.
The 2026 Allstate Big Ten/SEC Challenge Week begins on Tuesday, September 1. All 18 Big Ten schools and all 16 SEC institutions will match up across various campuses throughout the week, culminating with a historic outdoor doubleheader at Wrigley Field on Sunday, September 6. The Wrigley Field event will feature three national champions with Nebraska vs. Missouri and Penn State vs. Kentucky. The matches will mark the first time volleyball has been played at Wrigley Field, creating a unique experience for teams and fans alike and adding a new chapter to one of the most recognizable venues in sports. Challenge week showcases elite competition while elevating women’s sports on the national stage. Multiple campus sites will serve as hosts to two Big Ten teams and two SEC teams, while Kentucky, Missouri, Tennessee and Texas will host standalone home matches against Big Ten foes on Tuesday and Wednesday. Linear coverage will be available across FOX, FS1, Big Ten Network, ESPN and SEC Network, with additional coverage streamed on B1G+ and SECN+.
Iowa head coach Jim Barnes reached the 500-career-win milestone. Barnes is one of 28 active Division I head coaches to reach 500 career wins. Barnes led the Hawkeyes to a 3-0 opening weekend at the Black Knight Invitational.
Nebraska was ranked No. 1 in the latest AVCA Coaches Poll released on Aug. 31. It marks Nebraska’s 125th week all-time at No. 1 in the AVCA Coaches Poll, the most of any program in the nation. The Huskers began the 2026 campaign with sweeps of UNLV and then-No. 2 Texas at the Players Era Showcase in Las Vegas. Bergen Reilly was named the Most Valuable Player at the showcase.
Penn State went 3-0 at the Penn State Invitational with wins over UConn, High Point and Hofstra. Kennedy Martin was named MVP of the Invitational.
With the first win of the 2026 season, Purdue head coach Dave Shondell will become the outright all-time winningest head coach in Purdue Athletics history, surpassing men’s basketball legend Gene Keady’s 512 wins. The No. 14-ranked Boilermakers host No. 12 Texas A&M inside Mackey Arena on Tuesday on FS1.
Washington won the Husky Invitational to start the year 3-0 with wins against UC Irvine, San Diego State and IU Indy. Big Ten Freshman of the Week Kylie Kleckner was named MVP of the tournament.
The Big Ten Conference will usher in a new era of collegiate volleyball this fall with the launch of its inaugural tournament November 20-25, 2026, at Fishers Event Center in Fishers, Ind. The top 15 teams in the regular-season standings will qualify for the tournament, bringing the nation’s premier volleyball programs together in one venue for the first time. Three matches will be played in the opening round of the tournament, followed by four second-round matches. The competition will then progress through the quarterfinals and semifinals, culminating with the championship match slated for November 25 on FOX. One off day will be built into the tournament schedule. The Big Ten regular-season schedule will decrease from 20 to 17 matches, in a single, round-robin format to account for the tournament.

Nebraska, UCLA and Washington Earn First Big Ten Volleyball Weekly Honors of 2026

Unknown — Mon, 31 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Player of the Week
Marianna Singletary, UCLA
Fifth-Year – MB – Charleston, S.C.

Led UCLA to a pair of wins vs. Long Beach State during opening weekend
Across two matches, Singletary combined for 25 kills on .385 hitting with 17 total blocks
In Friday’s four set win, tallied 16 kills on .429 hitting, adding nine blocks. On Saturday, recorded nine kills adding eight more blocks and finishing with 13 points
Last UCLA Player of the Week: Marianna Singletary (August 31, 2026)

Defensive Player of the Week
Maija Howse, Washington
So. - OH – Woodside, Calif.

Led the Washington blocking effort with 1.50 blocks per set as the Huskies opened with a 3-0 week at home to win the Husky Invitational, earning a spot on the All-Tournament Team
Set a career-high twice with seven blocks against San Diego State and IU Indy. Helped the Washington defense hold opponents to a combined .106 hitting percentage
Set a career-high with 14 kills in the win over IU Indy, hitting .367
Last Washington Defensive Player of the Week: Maija Howse (August 31, 2026)

Setter of the Week
Bergen Reilly, Nebraska
Sr. – S – Sioux Falls, S.D.

Led the No. 1 Huskers to a sweep against UNLV and No. 2 Texas and was named the MVP of the Players Era Showcase
The Nebraska offense hit a combined .315, with Reilly setting four different Huskers to at least 10 kills on the weekend. Reilly averaged 10.33 assists, 2.50 digs and 1.17 kills per set over the weekend
Against UNLV, Reilly recorded a double-double with 32 assists, 10 digs, five kills and three blocks
Against No. 2 Texas, Reilly tallied 30 assists, five digs, two kills, two service aces and a block
Last Nebraska Setter of the Week: Bergen Reilly (Nov. 10, 2025)

Freshman of the Week
Kylie Kleckner, Washington
OH – Trophy Club, Texas

Named MVP of first collegiate tournament, leading Washington to a 3-0 start at the Husky Invitational
Led Washington for the weekend with 41 kills, averaging 3.42 kills per set and hitting .269, adding four aces, 23 digs and 10 blocks for 4.17 points per set
Recorded 15 kills against UC Irvine and IU Indy and 11 kills against San Diego State
Last Washington Freshman of the Week: Julia Hunt (Sept. 16, 2024)

2026 Big Ten Players of the Week
Aug. 31
P: Marianna Singletary, Fifth-Year, UCLA
D: Maija Howse, So., WASH
S: Bergen Reilly, Sr., NEB
F: Kylie Kleckner, WASH

Nation on Notice: Nebraska Sweeps Texas, Challenge Up Next

Unknown — Mon, 31 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Was there any doubt that Nebraska would be a championship contender this season? Of course not. They are the No. 1 team in the country after all. But a 25-19, 25-19, 25-16 sweep over Texas? The No. 2 team in the country? That’s not just a win. It’s a message — a challenge, for whatever teams stand between the Huskers and a national title.

In Sunday’s heavyweight clash, Nebraska trailed at the beginning of the first two sets before mounting 10-0 and 6-0 rallies to take advantages that they’d never surrender. Manaia Ogbechie’s seven blocks created pressure at the net to force errors, while Bergen Reilly’s 30 assists and playmaking mastery kept the Longhorn defense off-balance. The one-two punch of Andi Jackson (nine kills) and Harper Murray (eight kills) proved too much for the SEC contender, as Nebraska left Las Vegas with its third ranked win already this season. Read more from Nebraska .

More Weekend Updates

No. 14 Minnesota used dominant defense to sweep No. 13 Creighton . After dropping a 3-0 opener to No. 12 Arizona State, the Gophers rebounded behind Mckenna Wucherer, who led the attack with 10 kills. Junior setter Stella Swenson helped orchestrate the bounce-back victory with 29 assists, while Minnesota hit .298 as a unit and held the Bluejays to just .068.
No. 20 USC trounced the 12^th-ranked Sun Devils , riding double-digit kill performances from London Wijay and Abigail Mullen to the 3-0 sweep. Lilli Etter anchored the Trojans with 36 assists while the defense kept Arizona State to just .143 hitting. USC was stymied by Creighton on Sunday, 3-1.
Despite a stellar debut from redshirt freshman Addy Tindall (22 kills, .463 attack percentage), No. 9 Purdue dropped a heartbreaker against Creighton.
No. 6 Wisconsin fell in its contests against No. 5 Stanford (3-1) and No. 4 Pitt (3-0).

Thirty-Four Teams. Two Conferences. One Epic Week of Collegiate Volleyball.

The matchups only get better as volleyball season ramps up, with the Allstate Big Ten/SEC Challenge Week kicking off Sept. 1. Here are some of the best matchups to start.

Marquee Matchups

No. 9 Purdue vs. No. 8 Texas A&M

Looking to bounce back from a five-set heartbreaker, Purdue welcomes defending NCAA Champion Texas A&M to Mackey Arena. The Boilermakers need efficiency from pins Tindall and Mimi Mambu to out-swing the Aggies' physical net defense. If Purdue establishes a middle presence early, this top-10 clash could set the tone for the challenge.

No. 14 Minnesota vs. No. 17 Florida

After the decisive sweep of Creighton, Minnesota brings momentum into a high-octane battle against Florida, who already faced a Big Ten opponent in Nebraska at Spikes Under the Lights in Texas. The Gophers will rely on Swenson’s quick distribution and Wucherer’s hot hand to bypass Florida’s net coverage. Neutralizing the Gators' dynamic slide attack and staying clean out-of-system will be key to securing a massive non-conference resume win.

No. 16 Indiana vs. No. 8 Texas A&M

Indiana also faces a massive early-season litmus test against the formidable Texas A&M squad. The Hoosiers must lean on low-error offensive execution and aggressive baseline serving to disrupt the Aggies' fast-tempo passing system. If Indiana’s primary pin hitters find seam gaps in transition early, an impressive top-10 upset is well within reach.

No. 6 Wisconsin vs. No. 17 Florida

Wisconsin hosts Florida in a fifth straight ranked matchup for the Badgers. The Gators’ serve-and-pass pressure aims to test Wisconsin's passing unit, but the Badgers possess the net height and back-row stabilization to take over long rallies. After a pair of tough weekend losses, the Badgers' young team hopes to bounce back with a strong performance against the Gators.

No. 20 USC vs. No. 2 Texas

USC faces a significant challenge against powerhouse Texas, but the Trojans possess the pin firepower in London Wijay and Abigail Mullen to create chaos. If setter Lilli Etter keeps USC hitting efficiently out of system while disrupting Torrey Stafford and Cari Spears, the Trojans could push this titan to the limit.

Challenge Starts Tomorrow

Rutgers serves first in the 2026 Allstate Big Ten/SEC Challenge Week against Arkansas on Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET. The historic rivalry week will be capped off with the first-ever volleyball matches played at Wrigley Field , but we’ll see plenty of championship-caliber contests before then — See the full schedule .

Huskers Star on the National Stage, High-Profile Matchups On Deck

Unknown — Fri, 28 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Leading into a weekend full of ranked matchups, Nebraska looked every bit like the top-ranked team in the country.

Nebraska Sweeps Spikes Under the Lights

No. 1 Nebraska captured the inaugural showcase title at AT&T Stadium with back-to-back sweeps. In their semifinal match, the Huskers gritted out a tight 2-0 (21–19, 21–18) victory against No. 17 Florida behind a strong block. Teraya Sigler had six kills, along with five each from Andi Jackson and Virginia Adriano. Nebraska’s suffocating defense dominated, holding the Mustangs to an .068 hitting percentage en route to a 2-0 sweep and advancing to the final against No. 11 SMU. Surging out to early leads in both sets against the Mustangs, Sigler again led the team with seven kills while Harper Murray added six to fuel a dominant 2-0 (21–12, 21–11) championship sweep. Read the full recap here .

No. 10 Penn State fell to the Mustangs in the semifinals, dropping a hard-fought 2-0 (24–22, 21–18) matchup. Texas transfer Whitney Lauenstein starred in her debut, leading all players with 12 kills while hitting .450, while Florida transfer setter Alexis Stucky dished out 19 assists in her debut.

Weekend Previews

Nebraska and Penn State kicked off the week with the marquee event in Texas, but they are far from the only Big Ten powerhouses diving into high-stakes non-conference action to start the season.

State Farm Women's College Volleyball Showcase

Taking place at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D., this premier early-season event serves as a major national stage for elite non-conference showdowns. Minnesota, Purdue, and USC — who are all rank in the top 20 — will represent the Big Ten in matches against national contenders, No. 12 Arizona State and No. 13 Creighton.

Let’s look at what to expect from the Boilermakers, Gophers and Trojans:

No. 9 Purdue (vs. Creighton Friday)

The Boilermakers return to the court after a 2025 campaign where they went 27-7 and made it all the way to the Elite Eight, before losing to Pittsburgh. To get the season started on a good note, Purdue will lean on its lethal offense with All-American pin hitter Grace Heaney (3.05 kills per set), and setter Taylor Anderson (10.84 assists per set). Defensively, middle blocker Dior Charles (1.15 blocks per set) and defensive specialist Ryan McAleer (3.63 digs per set) need to disrupt Creighton’s tempo.

No. 14 Minnesota (vs. Arizona State Friday & Creighton Saturday)

Just like the Boilermakers, the Golden Gophers saw their 2025 season end at the hands of Pittsburgh, losing in the Sweet 16. But, in 2026, Minnesota has high expectations; preseason All-Big Ten selection Carly Gilk leads a star-studded roster that also has Stella Swenson (9.77 assists per set), McKenna Garr (3.35 digs per set), Jordan Taylor (1.32 kills per set, 1.23 blocks per set) and Lucie Blažková (2.80 kills per set) Also huge for the Gophers is the return of 2025 Preseason All-Big Ten selection McKenna Wucherer, who is back after missing all of last season with a back injury.

No. 20 USC (vs. Creighton & Arizona State)

Coming off a 25-7 campaign that reached the NCAA Tournament second round, the Trojans enter 2026 ranked 20th in the AVCA poll and picked to finish seventh in the Big Ten. To build on that foundation, USC needs its elite net defense — anchored by Leah Ford (1.35 blocks per set) and Mia Tvrdy (1.13 blocks per set) — to establish the physical tone after averaging 2.76 blocks per set in 2025. Preseason All-Big Ten picks Adonia Faumuina and Abigail Mullen must balance top pin-scorer London Wijay (3.48 kills per set) on the attack.

The Opponents

Now for a look at the opponents, starting with the Bluejays, who enter the 2026 volleyball season as the bona fide favorites to win the Big East. Creighton returns powerful RS/MB Jaya Johnson and added Texas transfer MB Ayden Ames to maintain a lethal block. Despite losing Ava Martin, Creighton's fast-tempo offense and server efficiency (2.13 aces/set in 2025) remain top-tier threats. In only his second season, Brian Rosen has his team looking like the one that can bring its first ever national championship to Omaha.

Then, there’s Arizona State, which was announced as the favorite in the Big 12’s Preseason Poll. The Sun Devils — who have won back-to-back Big 12 titles — are led by senior opposite hitter Noemie Glover, the reigning Big 12 Volleyball Player of the Year. In 2025, Glover swept ASU's offensive leaderboards, leading the team in total points, total kills, points per set, and kills per set. Her 4.23 kills per set (eighth), 4.82 points per set (eighth), and 423 total kills (ninth) all ranked inside the top 10 of all Big 12 players, making her one of the most formidable individual scoring threats Minnesota and USC will clash with in Sioux Falls.

Check out the full State Farm Women’s College Volleyball Showcase schedule here .

Opening Spike Classic

At the Petersen Events Center in Pittsburgh, Pa., No. 5 Wisconsin joins an elite four-team field with two top-tier non-conference battles on the ESPN networks. After a 1-1 split against top 10 teams at the AVCA First Serve, including a statement 3-0 sweep of No. 7 Louisville, the Badgers will now face two more top 10 opponents in No. 5 Stanford and No. 4 Pitt. Against Stanford, the Badgers will look to install a disciplined double block against outside hitter Julia Blyashov and setter Logan Parks. Then, when facing the Panthers, passing clean against Olivia Babcock's lethal jump-serves and containing setter Izzy Starck is vital; this will allow Fuerbringer to keep middle options open and avoid forced out-of-system plays. Emerging stars like Audrey Flanagan and Jaela Auguste, who both came up big in Wisconsin’s openers, will look to continue to step up on the big stage as the Badgers look to solidify themselves as national championship contenders.

Clash of Titans: No. 1 Nebraska Meets No. 2 Texas

Top-ranked Nebraska faces off against No. 2 Texas in an incredible early-season showdown. Coming off Thursday’s Spikes Under the Lights title, the Huskers meet a Longhorns squad returning exceptional firepower and a national championship pedigree.

Led by First-Team All-American senior outside hitter Torrey Stafford and 2025 All-SEC First Team member Cari Spears, Texas boasts one of the country's most lethal pin-attacking duos. Guided by veteran setter Ella Swindle and backed by a deep, physical block at the net, the Longhorns can score in bursts.

Nebraska’s key to victory hinges on unanimous Preseason All-Big Ten stars Bergen Reilly, Harper Murray, and Andi Jackson maintaining high offensive efficiency. Passing clean, containing Texas' outer pins, and controlling the net will be essential for the Huskers to dictate tempo and pull out a statement of victory.

After a title sweep in Texas on Thursday, the Huskers look to make an even bigger statement in Sin City.

The matchups don’t stop here. Plenty of other teams in the conference are gearing up for big games, like No. 16 Indiana facing No. 7 Louisville. Check out the full schedule here .

Huskers Capture Spikes Under the Lights Title

Nebraska Athletics — Fri, 28 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Allstate Named Title Sponsor of Big Ten/SEC Volleyball Challenge Week

Unknown — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT

ROSEMONT, Ill. - Allstate will serve as the title sponsor of this year's Big Ten/SEC Volleyball Challenge Week, reinforcing the brand's commitment to investing in and elevating women's sports. The partnership expands on Allstate's growing support of women's athletics, including the Allstate Big Ten Women's Championship Series and the Allstate SEC Women's Champions Cup , which recognize and celebrate achievement across women's collegiate sports.

As part of the partnership, Allstate will be integrated across 30 matches throughout the country, including the Wrigley Field event on Sunday, September 6, with co-branded Big Ten, SEC and Allstate logos and match day activations.

The doubleheader, which marks the conclusion of the inaugural Challenge Week, will feature Penn State vs. Kentucky at 6 p.m. CT, followed by Nebraska vs. Missouri at 8 p.m. CT, with both matches airing live on FOX.

Allstate’s partnership with the Big Ten/SEC Volleyball Challenge Week is a two-year agreement, with plans to activate at next year’s neutral-site event hosted by the SEC.

The complete Allstate Big Ten/SEC Volleyball Challenge Week schedule can be found below.

2026 Allstate Big Ten/SEC Volleyball Challenge Week
MATCH DATE	HOME	AWAY	LOCATION
Tuesday, Sept. 1	Tennessee	Illinois	Food City Center (Knoxville, Tenn.)
Tuesday, Sept. 1	Missouri	Oregon	Hearnes Center (Columbia, Mo.)
Tuesday, Sept. 1	Minnesota	Florida	UW Fieldhouse (Madison, Wis.)
Tuesday, Sept. 1	Purdue	Texas A&M	Holloway Gymnasium (West Lafayette, Ind.)
Tuesday, Sept. 1	Indiana	Georgia	Holloway Gymnasium (West Lafayette, Ind.)
Tuesday, Sept. 1	Vanderbilt	Maryland	Historic Memorial Gymnasium (Nashville, Tenn.)
Tuesday, Sept. 1	Arkansas	Rutgers	Historic Memorial Gymnasium (Nashville, Tenn.)
Tuesday, Sept. 1	Michigan	South Carolina	Crisler Center (Ann Arbor, Mich.)
Tuesday, Sept. 1	Michigan State	LSU	Crisler Center (Ann Arbor, Mich.)
Wednesday, Sept. 2	Texas	USC	Gregory Gymnasium (Austin, Texas)
`Wednesday, Sept. 2	Kentucky	UCLA	Historic Memorial Coliseum (Lexington, Ky.)
Wednesday, Sept. 2	Wisconsin	Florida	UW Fieldhouse (Madison, Wis.)
Wednesday, Sept. 2	Minnesota	Auburn	UW Fieldhouse (Madison, Wis.)
Wednesday, Sept. 2	Purdue	Georgia	Holloway Gymnasium (West Lafayette, Ind.)
Wednesday, Sept. 2	Indiana	Texas A&M	Holloway Gymnasium (West Lafayette, Ind.)
Wednesday, Sept. 2	Vanderbilt	Rutgers	Historic Memorial Gymnasium (Nashville, Tenn.)
Wednesday, Sept. 2	Arkansas	Maryland	Historic Memorial Gymnasium (Nashville, Tenn.)
Wednesday, Sept. 2	Michigan	LSU	Crisler Center (Ann Arbor, Mich.)
Wednesday, Sept. 2	Michigan State	South Carolina	Crisler Center (Ann Arbor, Mich.)
Wednesday, Sept. 2	Ole Miss	Ohio State	McCasland Field House (Norman, Okla.)
Thursday, Sept. 3	Wisconsin	Auburn	UW Fieldhouse (Madison, Wis.)
Thursday, Sept. 3	Mississippi State	Iowa	Newell-Grissom Building (Starkville, Miss.)
Thursday, Sept. 3	Alabama	Northwestern	Newell-Grissom Building (Starkville, Miss.)
Thursday, Sept. 3	Ole Miss	Washington	McCasland Field House (Norman, Okla.)
Thursday, Sept. 3	Oklahoma	Ohio State	McCasland Field House (Norman, Okla.)
Friday, Sept. 4	Mississippi State	Northwestern	Newell-Grissom Building (Starkville, Miss.)
Friday, Sept. 4	Alabama	Iowa	Newell-Grissom Building (Starkville, Miss.)
Friday, Sept. 4	Oklahoma	Washington	McCasland Field House (Norman, Okla.)
Sunday, Sept. 6	Nebraska	Missouri	Wrigley Field (Chicago, Ill.)
Sunday, Sept. 6	Penn State	Kentucky	Wrigley Field (Chicago, Ill.)

Big Ten Weekly Volleyball Central - Aug. 28-30

Unknown — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Big Ten Volleyball | Big Ten Standings | Big Ten Composite Schedule

Big Ten Statistics | NCAA Statistics | Big Ten Weekly Release - Aug. 27

Eight Big Ten volleyball programs were among the AVCA/TARAFLEX Preseason Top 25, announced on Aug. 10: #1 Nebraska, #6 Wisconsin, #9 Purdue, #10 Penn State, #14 Minnesota, #16 Indiana, #20 USC and #25 Oregon. Illinois, Michigan State and UCLA received votes in the poll.
93 Big Ten volleyball matches will be nationally televised on Big Ten Network (BTN), FOX and FS1 during the 2026 season.83 regular season matches will air nationally, while the inaugural Big Ten Volleyball Tournament will be carried across BTN, B1G+ and FOX. BTN will broadcast at least 72 matches, featuring all 18 conference schools on linear television. The network’s season coverage begins Saturday, August 29, with Miami at Michigan at 2 p.m. ET, followed by UConn at Penn State at 4 p.m. ET.
Nebraska and Penn State will participate in the inaugural Spikes Under the Lights at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The event features a three-match tournament format optimized for a three-hour television window.
Minnesota, Purdue and USC will play in the 2026 State Farm Women’s Volleyball Showcase at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D on Aug. 28-30. Friday’s matches feature #3 Creighton vs. #9 Purdue at 7 p.m. ET, followed by #14 Minnesota vs. #12 Arizona State, both live on FOX. Saturday’s action begins with #12 Arizona State vs. #20 USC at 3 p.m. ET, followed by #13 Creighton vs. #14 Minnesota, both on FS1. The weekend concludes with #20 USC vs. #13 Creighton at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday on BTN.
Wisconsin will face No. 5 Stanford and No. 4 Pitt at the Opening Spike Classic in Pittsburgh on Friday, Aug. 28 and Sunday, Aug. 30. The Badgers are set to play Stanford at 9 p.m. ET on Friday on ESPN2, before meeting Pitt at Noon ET on Sunday on ESPN. Wisconsin split its opening weekend at the AVCA First Serve tournament in Milwaukee, beating No. 7 Louisville in straight sets and falling to No. 3 Kentucky.
The Big Ten led the nation in attendance for the 18th consecutive season in 2025. The conference totaled 981,234 fans across 282 matches, nearly 500,000 more than the SEC, which finished second in attendance rankings (481,876). The Big Ten averaged 3,480 fans per match, with four Big Ten schools in the Top 10 across Division I attendance figures.
Eight All-Americans from 2025 return to fill Big Ten rosters in 2026. Nebraska returns a trio of First Team All-Americans in Andi Jackson, Harper Murray and Bergen Reilly. Purdue returns Taylor Anderson (Second Team), Kenna Wollard (Second Team) and Grace Heaney (Third Team). Penn State returns Kennedy Martin (First Team) and Oregon returns Big Ten Freshman of the Year and Third Team All-American Alanah Clemente.
The Big Ten Conference will usher in a new era of collegiate volleyball this fall with the launch of its inaugural tournament November 20-25, 2026, at Fishers Event Center in Fishers, Ind. The top 15 teams in the regular-season standings will qualify for the tournament, bringing the nation’s premier volleyball programs together in one venue for the first time. Three matches will be played in the opening round of the tournament, followed by four second-round matches. The competition will then progress through the quarterfinals and semifinals, culminating with the championship match slated for November 25 on FOX. One off day will be built into the tournament schedule. The Big Ten regular-season schedule will decrease from 20 to 17 matches, in a single, round-robin format to account for the tournament.

Wisconsin Volleyball Delivers, Nebraska and Penn State Take NFL Stage

Unknown — Sun, 23 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT

The 2026 Big Ten volleyball season is officially underway, featuring premier non-conference showdowns right out of the gate. Before the rest of the league takes the court this weekend, the conference heavyweights set the tone in national showcase matches. Wisconsin showed poise in a top-10 split this past weekend, while Nebraska and Penn State prepare to compete in an NFL stadium on Thursday.

Badgers Bounce Back: Wisconsin Earns Top-10 Split on Opening Weekend

No. 6 Wisconsin showcased impressive poise at the AVCA First Serve, bouncing back from a tough opening-night loss to No. 3 Kentucky with a dominant 3-0 sweep of No. 7 Louisville. Led by junior setter Charlie Fuerbringer — who earned Match MVP honors with 33 assists and eight digs — a young Badgers squad displayed remarkable maturity in response to Friday's adversity.

Wisconsin’s offense found its groove against the Cardinals, jumping from a .186 hitting percentage against Kentucky to a scorching .327 clip on Saturday. Freshman pin hitter Audrey Flanagan spearheaded the attack with 13 kills, while the Badgers racked up eight service aces (led by three from senior Grace Egan) to lock down their first victory of the season. Read the full recap here .

Next up, the Badgers head to Pennsylvania for the Opening Spike Classic to clash with No. 5 Stanford on Friday, August 28, and No. 4 Pittsburgh on Sunday, August 30. Securing victories against either of these top-five foes would be a massive statement, proving that Kelly Sheffield's reloaded roster is already equipped to go toe-to-toe with national title favorites.

Up Next: No. 1 Nebraska, No. 10 Penn State Open Seasons in Cowboys' Stadium

Massive national showdowns take center stage as No. 1 Nebraska and No. 10 Penn State face No. 17 Florida and No. 11 SMU (respectively) in the opening matches of Spikes Under the Lights at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

The Huskers enter the matchup seeking to establish early physical dominance, with seniors Andi Jackson, Harper Murray, and Bergen Reilly — who were all unanimously named to the Preseason All-Big Ten Team for the 2026 season — leading the way. As the Huskers launch their pursuit of a sixth national championship, standing in their way of a hot start is a reloaded Gators squad led by Preseason All-SEC outside hitter Jordyn Byrd and middle blocker Alec Rothe.

Shortly after, the Nittany Lions and AVCA Player of the Year Watch List member Kennedy Martin will take the court against a ranked SMU squad led by two Preseason All-ACC selections. Penn State will need to assert itself at the net against Favor Anyanwu (middle blocker) and Suli Davis (outside hitter). But with the playmaking ability of redshirt senior setter Alexis Stucky and Martin’s power, the Blue and White will test weapons of its own in the benchmark match.

With a boisterous crowd expected and four national powerhouses on the floor, these opening clashes carry major early-season RPI and seeding implications. If Nebraska and/or Penn State win their opening match, they’ll compete in the championship match for an additional $200,000 in prize money.

The Huskers serve up the action at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday before the Nittany Lions take the court at 9 p.m, followed by the Spikes Under the Lights championship match. You’ll be able to watch every point on TNT.

More to Come on Friday

The rest of the Big Ten volleyball slate picks up on Friday with a packed schedule of opening-weekend action across the conference, including home openers for Ohio State, Michigan State, Michigan, Illinois, and Washington. We’ll preview the next round of key matches later this week, but you can get ready with the full Big Ten volleyball schedule here.

Photo by Ashley Steltenpohl via uwbadgers.com .

Volleyball's Marquee Non-Conference Slate & Opening Weekend Storylines

Unknown — Thu, 20 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT

College volleyball opens the 2026 season at an all-time high in popularity. At the center of the storm is the Big Ten, which has eight teams in the AVCA preseason top 25 and four in the top 10; headlining the group is No. 1 Nebraska, who takes the top preseason ranking for the ninth time in program history behind the senior trio of Bergen Reilly, Andi Jackson, and Harper Murray.

The 2026 campaign also marks a historic turning point for the league, featuring major milestones across the calendar capped off with the launch of the inaugural Big Ten Volleyball Tournament this November. With a deep field of national contenders across the league, this season promises to be one of the best yet.

With opening weekend officially here, the race for volleyball supremacy begins with the Big Ten testing its mettle on the national stage, headlined by 2021 national champion Wisconsin. The Badgers — who captured their first national title in 2021 —kick off their campaign at Milwaukee's Fiserv Forum in the AVCA First Serve, taking on Kentucky and Louisville in a pair of high-stakes opening weekend showdowns.

From the Badgers’ marquee matchups to other teams opening up their seasons, here’s what you need to know for the first weekend of the 2026 volleyball season.

Key Matchups & Top-10 Showdowns (8/21–8/23)

Matchup of Week: No. 6 Wisconsin opens season in Milwaukee with two top-10 matchups

Fresh off their seventh Final Four appearance in program history, the No. 6 Badgers begin their 2026 campaign an hour down the road at Milwaukee’s Fiserv Forum in the Jeep AVCA First Serve. Head coach Kelly Sheffield tests his squad immediately with back-to-back marquee showdowns: opening against No. 3 Kentucky on Friday, Aug. 21 — a high-stakes rematch of last season's NCAA National Semifinal where the Wildcats won 3 sets to 2 — before turning around to face No. 7 Louisville on Saturday.

Five years after capturing their 2021 national title, Wisconsin brings a reloaded roster to the NBA floor, anchored by a pair of AVCA Player of the Year Watch List selections in junior setter Charlie Fuerbringer and middle blocker Jaela Auguste. Surrounding Fuerbringer in an explosive attack are pin hitters Madison Quest and Eva Travis, along with freshman outside hitter Audrey Flanagan, while sophomore Kristen Simon and Italian freshman Anna Bardaro shore up the back row. Against two top-10 non-conference heavyweights, Wisconsin gets an immediate gauge of its national championship potential.

Outside of the Badgers’ opening two games, four Big Ten teams open their seasons on August 22. Here’s what to know about each of the matchups.

Northwestern hosts Chicago rival Loyola Chicago in Evanston. The Saturday afternoon showcase serves as a crucial tune-up for the Wildcats as they test their new offensive and roster depth before officially embarking on the 2026 campaign. With senior outside hitter Campbell Paris leading the charge after appearing in all matches in 2025, Northwestern will look to establish a rhythm early and set a dominant tone on its home floor to start the season strong.
Minnesota hits the road to Ames for an immediate border-state clash against Iowa State at Hilton Coliseum. Powered by fifth-year outside hitter Mckenna Wucherer on the pin, Minnesota gets an instant barometer for its rotation and net defense against a physical Big 12 opponent.
Iowa travels to Chicago for a non-conference road test against Big East foe DePaul at McGrath-Phillips Arena. Iowa enters the opener determined to set up a physical tone at the net. Relying on an experienced roster with 10 upperclassmen, the Hawkeyes aim to pass a road test to open the season.
In-state bragging rights are on the line in Columbus as Ohio State welcomes Ohio to the Covelli Center for an energetic season opener. With a young contingent of middle blockers, the Buckeyes look to establish their front-row physicality early. Against a disciplined Bobcats squad, the Buckeyes' ability to win the serve-and-pass battle will be critical in locking down a victory.

With the inaugural Big Ten Volleyball Tournament awaiting in November, the stakes are elevated from day one. From Milwaukee to Columbus, the 2026 season launches with unprecedented momentum, setting the stage for what promises a competitive race for volleyball supremacy.

Photo via uwbadgers.com .

Most Quotable from Big Ten Volleyball Media Day

Unknown — Thu, 06 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT

The 2026 Big Ten Volleyball Media Day has wrapped, and teams are preparing to compete in “the toughest conference in the country.” Every coach, player, and fan knows that each match will be an absolute “dogfight”. But the programs are hungry, competitive, and ready to take on the quest for the regular season, tournament, and national titles.

We pulled the top quotes from each school as they gear up for the fall. Here’s what stood out from Monday’s media day.

In alphabetical order...

Illinois Prepped for Close Contests

“We had a lot of tough battles last year, and we’re looking forward to turning those battles around in the right way. I think we addressed some things amongst the team, and we’re able to get a few players on the roster... and we look forward to competing in the toughest conference in the country.”–Head coach Chris Tamas

“It eats at my soul when we’re that close. But you’re going to be in those battles a lot, and to have that experience and have these players return that have that experience that have been through it and understand that every single game [demands] your best is a big deal. So having one more year from them, adding the pieces that we added this year, I’m just really excited to be a part of it.” –Tamas, on turning tight loses into wins this season

“We had a lot of newcomers and people that had never played in the Big Ten, myself included. I think figuring each other out throughout the season and getting to work with them all spring has been awesome... Makes my life easy that there’s so many good attackers on our roster, so it’s fun.” –Kenna Phelan

See more from the Illini .

Indiana Focuses Forward Following Historic 2025

“You get some kids who are tough and play hard, and you have a little bit of success, and the community and the volleyball community gets excited, and then you’re able to recruit on that, and the team has more success... We’ve got some traction. The recruiting classes over the next few years are exceptional, and I just think the pinwheel is starting to spin.” –Head coach Steve Aird, on building upon last year’s success

“The windshield is way bigger than the rearview mirror. I don’t spend a lot of time thinking about last year either. It’s about what’s next and what’s going to happen... I think everyone in the organization is more hungry.” –Aird, on moving forward after the Hoosiers’ historic 2025 season

“Our team loves playing in big arenas. And I think we’re excited to go back there for the Big Ten Tournament and hopefully have a little bit of a home court advantage with some of our Bloomington fans coming along.” –Sade Ilawole, on playing at Fishers Event Center for the first-ever Big Ten Volleyball Tournament

Iowa Climbing and Committed

“It’s such a talented league, and everybody around us is so dang good, and that’s what we aspire to. We wake up every day a little earlier, go a little harder to get to that level... There’s a lot of eyes on it, but ultimately, it’s how committed you are.” –Head coach Jim Barnes, on competing in the Big Ten

“[Jim’s] optimism is so infectious, and it’s really refreshing to have a smile when we walk into the gym... It’s good to be able to look at my coach and know that he just wants the best for me and every single one of my teammates.” –Liv Mogridge

“We drew it up like a ladder. The ladder started in January, and it ends in December. How do we climb it? How far can we climb up it? I know I got the right people to help us get as high as we can go.” –Barnes

Get every quote from the Hawkeyes .

Maryland Reloaded and Ready

“We went into the off season and just kind of hit it... A lot of good conversations about where we were. Huge change in staff, big change in roster, and in a lot of ways, I think one of the things this group did a really good job of was integrating the freshman... I think we did a really good job of stabilizing things and trying to let go of the past... We’re trying to create a new chapter.” –Head coach Adam Hughes, on preparation for the 2026 season

“Our practices have been extremely competitive. It’s so hard to score because everyone’s going all out. Everyone’s working their butts off to get every ball.” –Sydney Bryant

“We are really setting a standard for how we want to play and what’s acceptable in our gym and how we’re going to continue to push ourselves to grow... You have to be tough at times because we’re all connected... our competition and our skills just get better through keeping each other accountable and having those competitive practices.” –Annika Sokol

Michigan’s Energy High Heading into 2026

“Our team has always had a lot of energy, a lot of competitive drive, a very gritty team, and I think you’re just going to continue to see more of that... you’re going to see a lot of [our] key values still showing very strong this year.” –Sydney Schnichels, on the 2026 team

“[The coaches] just bring such great encouragement and feedback to the gym... They give us just enough so that we can work on things, but not think about it too much. I think they do a great job in the way that they coach us, and I think that’s showing through with the improvement in the program over the last couple years.” –Schnichels

“I’m seeing a higher level of play as a team in defense than I did a year ago, and then the same in passing. We’re taking leaps there." –Head coach Erin Virtue

More updates from the Wolverines .

Michigan State’s People-First and Powerful

“We talk a lot about wanting to be a winning program, but we can’t do that without our people... The people [coach] has brought into this program are so special. Yes, they raise the level of volleyball, but they also raise the level of our program as a whole and our Spartan family.” –Ky Clayton, on the growth of MSU under head coach Kristen Kelsay

“We’re so excited for an opportunity to compete in the Big Ten Tournament... The Big Ten is the most elite conference in college volleyball. Now to have this platform where we get to put all of these teams, 15 Big Ten teams in one place, from an attendance standpoint, from a quality of play standpoint, from national television, right? The country is ready for a Big Ten Tournament, and so are we.” –Kelsay

See the Spartans’ full recap .

Minnesota’s Ready for Gauntlet Schedule

“By design, [the schedule] starts with two exhibitions... and then jumps into five pretty intense matches to start the season. It was time. The team was ready to get back to a place where our schedule looks like that. Last year’s schedule was about playing winning programs across all conferences, but I thought this group was going to be the group that brought us back to a place where we’re playing top 10 teams and putting ourselves in a position to get a top eight or top four seed in the tournament, and make sure that we’re playing in front of the Gopher fans as much as possible. I think it says that I was ready. I believe in this group to take on that challenge.” –Head coach Keegan Cook, on the competitiveness of the Gophers’ schedule

“Seeing how much volleyball has grown... Teams are playing in MLB stadiums... and fans keep showing out, and viewership numbers are going up drastically... It’s awesome to be a part of it.” –Mckenna Wucherer, on Big Ten Volleyball Media Day and the growth of the sport

Watch the Gophers’ full highlights .

Nebraska Chasing Four Straight and More

“The pressure is definitely there, but we’ve earned the right to be in that position. We’ve worked really hard these last three seasons, and we know what it takes to win a Big Ten Championship. It’s not easy. It’s a really tough volleyball conference, and every game is going to be a dogfight... We know that we have a target on our back, and a lot of people want to beat Nebraska... We won the last three [Big Ten Championships]... our goal is to go four for four.” –Andi Jackson, on the Huskers having a target on their back

“We have to continue to work to combat getting complacent and letting that pressure hurt us... We love volleyball. I want players that love the game so that it doesn’t matter if you’re playing in front of zero people or 92,000. I want us to play with the same type of joy, and I’m going to come into the gym every day in a consistent manner where they can feel that." –Head coach Dani Busboom Kelly

“When you take a step back and really see the impact that we have on the sport and on women’s sports in general and on so many young girls, it’s all worth it... We’re doing this for all of those little girls, for all the people across Nebraska, across the nation, and now across the world that are watching us.” –Bergen Reilly, on being ambassadors for the sport

All the Huskers’ updates here .

Northwestern: Competitiveness and Culture

“Competitiveness is a really big piece of the puzzle for us. Then what type of teammate are you? Are you making the person next to you better? One of [Drew Wright and Gigi Navarrete’s] great superpowers is that they make the person next to them on the court better.” –Head coach Tim Nollan, on team culture and leadership

“We really rely on each other, and we support each other. We know it’s going to get hard and chaotic, but we also know we can always fall back on each other. I also think Northwestern does a really good job at giving us the resources and support that we need to succeed, and we are very grateful for all the support we get.” –Drew Wright, on facing the rigors of season

Ohio State on the Way Up

“The only way we know how is to attack it... It’s about creating a culture that’s gritty, that’s competitive, that is putting the team first. And we have the athletes and people that are willing to do that right now. I’m rejuvenated. I’m excited.” –Head coach Jen Flynn Oldenburg, on getting Ohio State back to where it wants to be

"Everyone’s competing really hard, and it just speaks for itself. We all just have that competitive mindset. Honestly, all the new people, all the new faces, I don’t doubt that there’s one day they’re not going to compete. They show up and give their 100% effort.” –Hannah Jones

More updates from OSU .

Oregon’s Strong and “Hungry”

“The biggest thing that we were missing last year was spring and the value of an entire spring training block and six months with our strength coach... The physical development side was such a huge focus for us going into our winter and spring quarter last year. We’re lucky enough to have one of the legends in the industry in Coach Radcliffe.” –Head coach Trent Kersten, on what’s changed for this year’s squad.

“It’s a monster. It’s a challenge every single night. It’s what we all signed up for, and that’s what makes it beautiful as well... It’s really exciting. Every game’s a new challenge.” –Kersten, on what he learned his first year coaching in the Big Ten

“This season, when I come into the gym, I’m hungry to go after it.” –Alanah Clemente

See the latest Ducks coverage .

Penn State Reinforcing Its Standard

“We have a team of young women who want to be great in the sport, but also after volleyball and in life... I’m proud of what they’re doing and how they support each other, no matter how different we are.” –Head coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley, on her roster

“Obviously every single season is different. It’s new pieces, but it’s always the same standard in the gym at Penn State. It’s just about working hard and working for the girl next to you, and that’s one thing we pride ourselves on, and that’s the standard the moment you step in.” –Caroline Jurevicius, on the 2026 team

“The gym’s been super fun this summer. It’s super fiery, super competitive, and it’s also really great because we can get after each other in the gym, but we’ve also done a lot of work off the court in building relationships with each other so that we can come back to the court even stronger.” –Kennedy Martin

The latest updates from PSU .

Purdue’s Squad “Considerably Better” in 2026

“I really love our team. It’s as athletic of a team as we’ve had. We may not have one individual that stands beyond everybody else... but we have a lot of really, really talented athletes. And as far as character and work ethic and toughness and unselfishness, we’re hitting home runs... I think we’re going to be considerably better than a year ago.” –Head coach Dave Shondell

“Volleyball is the ultimate sport of cohesion. It’s a team game. And if you’re not on the same page, then you’re not going to have any kind of success in this league.” –Shondell

“I would say that volleyball has definitely arrived... the trajectory is unlike anything I ever thought I would be able to see in my lifetime.” –Shondell, on the state of the sport

Check out the Boilers’ latest news .

Rutgers Playing with “No Fear”

“There’s no fear. I think we played with a lot of fear in the beginning... Lily [Bolen] has really elevated what it means to be a Big Ten competitor. That there is no fear... Lily and Aspen [Maxwell] have had the mindset that we will be better and we will improve year over year.” –Head coach Caitlin Schweihofer, on how her leaders have influenced the team’s growth

“We talk about [the Big Ten Tournament] in the gym almost every single day. So it’s definitely something that’s helped us set a lot of standards and added motivation.” –Bolen

“There’s no question that we’ve grown this program into a true Big Ten volleyball program, and it’s something that I’m really proud of. It’s at a point where I feel like it’s incredibly sustainable.” –Schweihofer, on Rutgers’ strong foundation

Watch Rutgers’ full highlights .

UCLA and Its New Headman

"It’s weird to say that UCLA women’s volleyball has been around for so long, but I’m only the fourth head coach. It makes you think. It makes me very humbled by the responsibility that comes with representing UCLA.” –Head coach Matt Werle, on his first year leading the Bruins

“[The coaches are] bringing a lot of good, consistent energy for us, and that really means a lot to the team because when we’re in difficult moments, that’s the energy that we need... What we want to do is [take it] day by day, one at a time. We’re not trying to do something that we don’t have control over. I think having that consistent energy from the staff means a lot.” –Maggie Li

Access the Bruins’ media day features .

USC Only Concerned with Competing

“Having a competitive preseason is what’s going to be best for our team. We’re ready for it, we’re ready to compete. We’re a really competitive group... We know the challenges that are coming for us, and we’re ready for them.” –Mia Tvrdy, on the Trojans’ tough preseason opponents

“I don’t care. We’ll compete.” –Head coach Brad Keller, on being picked seventh in the Big Ten Coaches' Poll

“I want to give props to Brad because I feel like he really helps us. He doesn’t restrict us from being ourselves. He really lets our personality and our goofy side come out... But practices, we know when it needs to be serious and when we need to turn it on.” –Tvrdy, on team culture

Washington Looking Forward

“We don’t make excuses, and we don’t spend much time looking backwards. Instead, we’ve taken the lessons from those seasons and used them to help shape where we’re going... Our focus has been on developing the daily habits that championship teams are built on.” –Head coach Leslie Gabriel, on bouncing back from last season

“We challenged our players to be intentional with their nutrition, recovery, sleep, strength training, and conditioning. I’m proud of the way they’ve embraced those challenges and reached the goals that they set for themselves, putting themselves in a position to begin this season healthy, strong, and prepared.” –Gabriel, on preparation for 2026

Get the Huskies' newest updates here .

Wisconsin’s Leaders Guiding Newcomers

“If you’re a competitive junkie, there’s no better place to be than the Big Ten Conference in volleyball... I’m not sure there is anything that I heard from [the other coaches] that got me more revved up than that.” –Head coach Kelly Sheffield

“You want people that want to get in the gym and compete with each other... You like the players that are hungry... They’re competing. They’re getting after it. They’re asking questions. They’re leaning into the learning. I think it’s going to be a group that Badger fans or people that just love volleyball are really going to enjoy watching.” –Sheffield

“[I'm trying to be] a ‘come with me’ teammate, and kind of be that bridge [between] the younger athletes... and what our standard is here at Wisconsin.” –Charlie Fuerbringer, on her leadership

“They have to be a sponge... and they just want to learn more.” –Grace Egan, on the newcomers

Check out Wisconsin’s full recap .

First Serve Up Next

College volleyball starts again at the end of August, kicking off a season full of epic matchups, including:

The AVCA First Serve, featuring 10 of the nation’s top collegiate volleyball teams
Spikes Under the Lights, where AT&T Stadium—home of the Dallas Cowboys—will host four iconic teams
The first volleyball match ever played at Wrigley Field, capping off the Big Ten/SEC Volleyball Challenge
The inaugural Big Ten Volleyball Tournament, a single-elimination contest with the conference’s top 15 teams that will usher in a new era of college volleyball

Based on media day, the coaches and players are ready. Mark your calendars and make sure you are too.

FOX to Broadcast Big Ten Volleyball Tournament Championship Match as Part of Historic Television Coverage for 2026

Unknown — Mon, 03 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT

ROSEMONT, Ill. - The Big Ten Conference announced Monday that 93 Big Ten volleyball matches will be nationally televised on Big Ten Network (BTN), FOX and FS1 during the 2026 season.

83 regular season matches will air nationally, while the inaugural Big Ten Volleyball Tournament will be carried across BTN, B1G+ and FOX.

FOX is set to air the Big Ten Volleyball Tournament Championship match at 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday, November 25, becoming the first-ever broadcast television network to carry a women’s college volleyball conference tournament championship match.

Tournament coverage begins Friday, November 20, on BTN. Second-round matches will stream on B1G+, while BTN will televise the opening round, quarterfinals and semifinals.

FOX’s coverage will also include Wisconsin at Nebraska on Saturday, October 10.

BTN will broadcast at least 72 matches, featuring all 18 conference schools on linear television. The network's season coverage begins Saturday, August 29, with Miami at Michigan at 2 p.m. ET, followed by UConn at Penn State at 4 p.m. ET.

In addition, more than 160 matches will be streamed exclusively on B1G+, BTN's subscription service. All Big Ten Network matches can also be streamed on FOX One, delivering live events and on-demand programming to Big Ten Network customers via the web, smartphones and tablets.

2026 Big Ten Volleyball Television Schedule

DATE	MATCH	SITE	TV	TIME (ET)
August 22	Wisconsin vs. Louisville	Milwaukee, Wis.	FOX	4 p.m.
August 28	Purdue vs. Creighton	Sioux Falls, S.D.	FOX	7 p.m.
August 28	Minnesota vs. Arizona State	Sioux Falls, S.D.	FOX	9 p.m.
August 29	Miami (Fla.) at Michigan	Ann Arbor, Mich.	BTN	2 p.m.
August 29	UConn at Penn State	University Park, Pa.	BTN	4 p.m.
August 29	USC vs. Arizona State	Sioux Falls, S.D.	FS1	3 p.m.
August 29	Minnesota vs. Creighton	Sioux Falls, S.D.	FS1	5 p.m.
August 30	Creighton vs. USC	Sioux Falls, S.D.	BTN	1 p.m.
September 1	LSU vs. Michigan State	Ann Arbor, Mich.	BTN	4:30 p.m.
September 1	Georgia vs. Indiana	West Lafayette, Ind.	FS1	6 p.m.
September 1	South Carolina at Michigan	Ann Arbor, Mich.	BTN	6:30 p.m.
September 1	Texas A&M at Purdue	West Lafayette, Ind.	FS1	8 p.m.
September 1	Florida vs. Minnesota	Madison, Wis.	BTN	9 p.m.
September 2	Auburn vs. Minnesota	Madison, Wis.	FS1	6 p.m.
September 2	Florida at Wisconsin	Madison, Wis.	FS1	8 p.m.
September 2	Texas A&M vs. Indiana	West Lafayette, Ind.	BTN	5 p.m.
September 2	Georgia at Purdue	West Lafayette, Ind.	BTN	7 p.m.
September 3	Auburn at Wisconsin	Madison, Wis.	FS1	8 p.m.
September 4	Nebraska at DePaul	Chicago, Ill.	FS1	6 p.m.
September 6	TCU at Purdue	West Lafayette, Ind.	BTN	1 p.m.
September 6	Washington State at Oregon	Eugene, Ore.	BTN	3 p.m.
September 11	Illinois at Marquette	Milwaukee, Wis.	FS1	6 p.m.
September 11	Stanford vs. Penn State	Philadelphia, Pa.	BTN	6 p.m.
September 11	Baylor at Nebraska	Lincoln, Neb.	BTN	8 p.m.
September 11	Arizona at USC	Los Angeles, Calif.	BTN	10 p.m.
September 15	Villanova at Penn State	University Park, Pa.	FS1	7 p.m.
September 16	Creighton at Nebraska	Lincoln, Neb.	BTN	7 p.m.
September 16	Drake at Iowa	Iowa City, Iowa	BTN	9 p.m.
September 17	Marquette at Wisconsin	Madison, Wis.	BTN	8 p.m.
September 18	South Florida at Penn State	University Park, Pa.	BTN	6 p.m.
September 18	North Carolina at Nebraska	Lincoln, Neb.	BTN	8 p.m.
September 20	Tennessee at Penn State	University Park, Pa.	BTN	2 p.m.
September 26	Ohio State at Nebraska	Lincoln, Neb.	BTN	9 p.m.
September 27	Washington at Michigan	Ann Arbor, Mich.	BTN	12 p.m.
September 27	Penn State at Michigan State	East Lansing, Mich.	BTN	2 p.m.
September 27	Wisconsin at Purdue	West Lafayette, Ind.	BTN	4 p.m.
October 1	Nebraska at Penn State	University Park, Pa.	BTN	7 p.m.
October 1	Indiana at Wisconsin	Madison, Wis.	BTN	9 p.m.
October 2	Purdue at Oregon	Eugene, Ore.	BTN	9 p.m.
October 2	Michigan at USC	Los Angeles, Calif.	BTN	11 p.m.
October 4	Indiana at Rutgers	Piscataway, N.J.	BTN	2 p.m.
October 4	Illinois at Oregon	Eugene, Ore.	BTN	4 p.m.
October 4	Wisconsin at Minnesota	Minneapolis, Minn.	BTN	6 p.m.
October 8	Nebraska at Indiana	Bloomington, Ind.	BTN	6:30 p.m.
October 8	Wisconsin at Illinois	Champaign, Ill.	BTN	8:30 p.m.
October 9	UCLA at Maryland	College Park, Md.	BTN	6:30 p.m.
October 9	USC at Purdue	West Lafayette, Ind.	BTN	8:30 p.m.
October 10	Wisconsin at Nebraska	Lincoln, Neb.	FOX	TBD
October 11	Washington at Penn State	University Park, Pa.	BTN	12 p.m.
October 11	USC at Indiana	Bloomington, Ind.	BTN	2p.m.
October 11	Minnesota at Ohio State	Columbus, Ohio	BTN	4 p.m.
October 11	Illinois at Purdue	West Lafayette, Ind.	BTN	6 p.m.
October 15	Michigan State at Illinois	Champaign, Ill.	BTN	7 p.m.
October 15	Purdue at Iowa	Iowa City, Iowa	BTN	9 p.m.
October 16	Ohio State at USC	Los Angeles, Calif.	FS1	10 p.m.
October 17	Purdue at Nebraska	Lincoln, Neb.	BTN	5 p.m. or 9 p.m.
October 17	Penn State at USC	Los Angeles, Calif.	BTN	7 p.m. or 11 p.m.
October 18	Wisconsin at Iowa	Iowa City, Iowa	BTN	2 p.m.
October 18	Rutgers at Oregon	Eugene, Ore.	BTN	4 p.m.
October 22	UCLA at Nebraska	Lincoln, Neb.	FS1	7 p.m.
October 23	Indiana at Ohio State	Columbus, Ohio	BTN	7 p.m.
October 23	Washington at Wisconsin	Madison, Wis.	BTN	9 p.m.
October 24	UCLA at Iowa	Iowa City, Iowa	BTN	7 p.m.
October 24	USC at Nebraska	Lincoln, Neb.	BTN	9 p.m.
October 25	Michigan State at Maryland	College Park, Md.	BTN	12 p.m.
October 25	Michigan at Wisconsin	Madison, Wis.	FS1	1 p.m.
October 25	Washington at Minnesota	Minneapolis, Minn.	BTN	2 p.m.
October 25	Penn State at Indiana	Bloomington, Ind.	FS1	3 p.m.
October 25	Northwestern at Purdue	West Lafayette, Ind.	BTN	4 p.m.
October 29	Ohio State at Penn State	University Park, Pa.	BTN	7 p.m.
October 29	Northwestern at Illinois	Champaign, Ill.	BTN	9 p.m.
October 30	Indiana at Michigan State	East Lansing, Mich.	BTN	6 p.m.
November 1	Ohio State at Illinois	Champaign, Ill.	BTN	1 p.m.
November 1	Maryland at Washington	Seattle, Wash.	BTN	3 p.m
November 1	Wisconsin at UCLA	Los Angeles, Calif.	BTN	5 p.m.
November 7	UCLA at Purdue	West Lafayette, Ind.	BTN	8 p.m.
November 7	Nebraska at Oregon	Eugene, Ore.	BTN	10 p.m.
November 8	Penn State at Wisconsin	Madison, Wis.	FS1	TBD
November 8	Nebraska at Washington	Seattle, Wash.	FS1	TBD
November 14	Michigan State at Minnesota	Minneapolis, Minn.	BTN	8 p.m.
November 14	Washington at USC	Los Angeles, Calif.	BTN	10 p.m.
November 17	Minnesota at Nebraska	Lincoln, Neb.	BTN	8:30 p.m.
November 17	USC at UCLA	Los Angeles, Calif.	BTN	10:30 p.m.
November 20	TBD vs. TBD	Fishers, Ind.	BTN	11 a.m.
November 20	TBD vs. TBD	Fishers, Ind.	BTN	1 p.m.
November 20	TBD vs. TBD	Fishers, Ind.	BTN	3 p.m.
November 21	TBD vs. TBD	Fishers, Ind.	B1G+	12 p.m.
November 21	TBD vs. TBD	Fishers, Ind.	B1G+	2 p.m.
November 21	TBD vs. TBD	Fishers, Ind.	B1G+	6 p.m.
November 21	TBD vs. TBD	Fishers, Ind.	B1G+	8 p.m.
November 22	TBD vs. TBD	Fishers, Ind.	BTN	12 p.m.
November 22	TBD vs. TBD	Fishers, Ind.	BTN	2 p.m.
November 22	TBD vs. TBD	Fishers, Ind.	BTN	6 p.m.
November 22	TBD vs. TBD	Fishers, Ind.	BTN	8 p.m.
November 24	TBD vs. TBD	Fishers, Ind.	BTN	6 p.m.
November 24	TBD vs. TBD	Fishers, Ind.	BTN	8 p.m.
November 25	TBD vs. TBD	Fishers, Ind.	FOX	8 p.m.

Big Ten Network Announces 2026 Big Ten Volleyball Television Schedule

Unknown — Mon, 03 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT

The Big Ten Network today announced its 2026 Big Ten Volleyball broadcast schedule, featuring a record 72 matches that includes regular season play, the majority of the first-ever Big Ten Volleyball Tournament and five games in the inaugural Big Ten/SEC Volleyball Challenge Week. In addition to the matches on BTN, more than 160 matches can be seen on B1G+.

BTN’s coverage of the 2026 Big Ten volleyball season begins Saturday, Aug. 29, with a nonconference doubleheader. The doubleheader kicks off with a meeting between Miami (FL) and Michigan from Ann Arbor at 2 p.m. ET, followed by Penn State hosting UConn in University Park at 4 p.m. ET. A matchup between Stanford and Penn State from The Palestra in Philadelphia on Friday, Sept. 11, at 6 p.m. ET marks another highlight of BTN’s nonconference slate.

As part of the inaugural Big Ten/SEC Volleyball Challenge Week, BTN will broadcast a tripleheader on Tuesday, Sept. 1, beginning with a battle between LSU and Michigan State at 4:30 p.m. ET. The tripleheader continues with a matchup featuring South Carolina and Michigan at 6:30 p.m. ET and wraps up with Minnesota playing Florida at 9 p.m. ET. BTN’s coverage will also include a pair of matchups from West Lafayette on Wednesday, Sept. 2, including a game between Indiana and reigning national champions Texas A&M at 5 p.m. ET followed by a meeting between Georgia and Purdue at 7 p.m. ET.

A match between Ohio State and Nebraska in Lincoln on Saturday, Sept. 26, at 9 p.m. ET kicks off Big Ten conference play on BTN, followed by a tripleheader on Sunday, Sept 27, featuring Michigan hosting Washington at noon ET, Penn State traveling to take on Michigan State at 2 p.m. ET and wrapping up with Wisconsin at Purdue at 4 p.m. ET from Mackey Arena.

From Oct. 3 through Nov. 1, weekend matches will count toward the Big Ten | Discover Volleyball Challenge. BTN will broadcast matches throughout the challenge, including Wisconsin at Minnesota on Sunday, Oct. 4, Nebraska hosting Purdue on Saturday, Oct. 17, and UCLA traveling to face Iowa on Saturday, Oct. 24.

The final day of the regular season is highlighted by a doubleheader on Tuesday, Nov. 17, with Nebraska hosting Minnesota at 8:30 p.m. ET and USC facing off against UCLA in Westwood at 10:30 p.m. ET.

Following the regular season, BTN and B1G+ will be home to the first four rounds of the inaugural Big Ten Volleyball Tournament, including the semifinals, from Friday, Nov. 20 – Tuesday, Nov. 24, at the Fishers Event Center. The championship match is scheduled to air Wednesday, Nov. 25, at 8 p.m. ET on FOX.

More than 160 matches are scheduled to stream live on B1G+ during the upcoming season, including meetings between Oregon and Michigan on Oct. 10 and Purdue and Ohio State on Nov. 4. Fans can subscribe to B1G+ with an annual pass for $89.99 per year or a monthly pass for $12.99 per month. A multi-view option will again allow for streaming of four concurrent matches at once and fans can customize their multi-view windows on desktop, Fire TV and Apple TV. For more information on how to watch volleyball on B1G+, visit bigtenplus.com .

In addition, as part of a multi-year deal with DAZN , all volleyball games airing on the Big Ten Network will also be available to stream internationally on DAZN.

Coverage across all platforms also includes the return of At The Net, the Big Ten Network's multiplatform, behind-the-scenes look at the personalities and programs across Big Ten volleyball. Digital coverage will be available via the Big Ten Network’s X , Facebook , YouTube and Instagram platforms along with the @B1GVolleyball accounts on X , Instagram and YouTube . All television programming also streams live via FOX One , with a complete schedule below.

2026 Big Ten Network Volleyball Broadcast Schedule (All Times ET):

Date	Visiting Team	Home Team	Site	Time (ET)
Aug. 29	Miami (FL)	Michigan	Ann Arbor, MI	2 p.m.
Aug. 29	UConn	Penn State	University Park, PA	4 p.m.
Aug. 30	Creighton	USC	Sioux Falls, SD	1 p.m.
Sept. 1	LSU	Michigan State	Ann Arbor, MI	4:30 p.m.
Sept. 1	South Carolina	Michigan	Ann Arbor, MI	6:30 p.m.
Sept. 1	Florida	Minnesota	Madison, WI	9 p.m.
Sept. 2	Texas A&M	Indiana	West Lafayette, IN	5 p.m.
Sept. 2	Georgia	Purdue	West Lafayette, IN	7 p.m.
Sept. 6	TCU	Purdue	West Lafayette, IN	1 p.m.
Sept. 6	Washington State	Oregon	Eugene, OR	3 p.m.
Sept. 11	Stanford	Penn State	Philadelphia, PA	6 p.m.
Sept. 11	Baylor	Nebraska	Lincoln, NE	8 p.m.
Sept. 11	Arizona	USC	Los Angeles, CA	10 p.m.
Sept. 16	Creighton	Nebraska	Lincoln, NE	7 p.m.
Sept. 16	Drake	Iowa	Iowa City, IA	9 p.m.
Sept. 17	Marquette	Wisconsin	Madison, WI	8 p.m.
Sept. 18	South Florida	Penn State	University Park, PA	6 p.m.
Sept. 18	North Carolina	Nebraska	Lincoln, NE	8 p.m.
Sept. 20	Tennessee	Penn State	University Park, PA	2 p.m.
Sept. 26	Ohio State	Nebraska	Lincoln, NE	9 p.m.
Sept. 27	Washington	Michigan	Ann Arbor, MI	Noon
Sept. 27	Penn State	Michigan State	East Lansing, MI	2 p.m.
Sept. 27	Wisconsin	Purdue	West Lafayette, IN	4 p.m.
Oct. 1	Nebraska	Penn State	University Park, PA	7 p.m.
Oct. 1	Indiana	Wisconsin	Madison, WI	9 p.m.
Oct. 2	Purdue	Oregon	Eugene, OR	9 p.m.
Oct. 2	Michigan	USC	Los Angeles, CA	11 p.m.
Oct. 4	Indiana	Rutgers	Piscataway, NJ	2 p.m.
Oct. 4	Illinois	Oregon	Eugene, OR	4 p.m.
Oct. 4	Wisconsin	Minnesota	Minneapolis, MN	6 p.m.
Oct. 8	Nebraska	Indiana	Bloomington, IN	6:30 p.m.
Oct. 8	Wisconsin	Illinois	Champaign, IL	8:30 p.m.
Oct. 9	UCLA	Maryland	College Park, MD	6:30 p.m.
Oct. 9	USC	Purdue	West Lafayette, IN	8:30 p.m.
Oct. 11	Washington	Penn State	University Park, PA	Noon
Oct. 11	USC	Indiana	Bloomington, IN	2 p.m.
Oct. 11	Minnesota	Ohio State	Columbus, OH	4 p.m.
Oct. 11	Illinois	Purdue	West Lafayette, IN	6 p.m.
Oct. 15	Michigan State	Illinois	Champaign, IL	7 p.m.
Oct. 15	Purdue	Iowa	Iowa City, IA	9 p.m.
Oct. 17	Purdue	Nebraska	Lincoln, NE	TBD
Oct. 17	Penn State	USC	Los Angeles, CA	TBD
Oct. 18	Wisconsin	Iowa	Iowa City, IA	2 p.m.
Oct. 18	Rutgers	Oregon	Eugene, OR	4 p.m.
Oct. 23	Indiana	Ohio State	Columbus, OH	7 p.m.
Oct. 23	Washington	Wisconsin	Madison, WI	9 p.m.
Oct. 24	UCLA	Iowa	Iowa City, IA	7 p.m.
Oct. 24	USC	Nebraska	Lincoln, NE	9 p.m.
Oct. 25	Michigan State	Maryland	College Park, MD	Noon
Oct. 25	Washington	Minnesota	Minneapolis, MN	2 p.m.
Oct. 25	Northwestern	Purdue	West Lafayette, IN	4 p.m.
Oct. 29	Ohio State	Penn State	University Park, PA	7 p.m.
Oct. 29	Northwestern	Illinois	Champaign, IL	9 p.m.
Oct. 30	Indiana	Michigan State	East Lansing, MI	6 p.m.
Nov. 1	Ohio State	Illinois	Champaign, IL	1 p.m.
Nov. 1	Maryland	Washington	Seattle, WA	3 p.m.
Nov. 1	Wisconsin	UCLA	Los Angeles, CA	5 p.m.
Nov. 7	UCLA	Purdue	West Lafayette, IN	8 p.m.
Nov. 7	Nebraska	Oregon	Eugene, OR	10 p.m.
Nov. 14	Michigan State	Minnesota	Minneapolis, MN	8 p.m.
Nov. 14	Washington	USC	Los Angeles, CA	10 p.m.
Nov. 17	Minnesota	Nebraska	Lincoln, NE	8:30 p.m.
Nov. 17	USC	UCLA	Los Angeles, CA	10:30 p.m.
Nov. 20	B1G Volleyball Tournament		Fishers, IN	11 a.m.
Nov. 20	B1G Volleyball Tournament		Fishers, IN	1 p.m.
Nov. 20	B1G Volleyball Tournament		Fishers, IN	3 p.m.
Nov. 21*	B1G Volleyball Tournament		Fishers, IN	Noon
Nov. 21*	B1G Volleyball Tournament		Fishers, IN	2 p.m.
Nov. 21*	B1G Volleyball Tournament		Fishers, IN	6 p.m.
Nov. 21*	B1G Volleyball Tournament		Fishers, IN	8 p.m.
Nov. 22	B1G Volleyball Tournament		Fishers, IN	Noon
Nov. 22	B1G Volleyball Tournament		Fishers, IN	2 p.m.
Nov. 22	B1G Volleyball Tournament		Fishers, IN	6 p.m.
Nov. 22	B1G Volleyball Tournament		Fishers, IN	8 p.m.
Nov. 24	B1G Volleyball Tournament		Fishers, IN	6 p.m.
Nov. 24	B1G Volleyball Tournament		Fishers, IN	8 p.m.

*Exclusively on B1G+

2026 Big Ten Volleyball Tournament Tickets on Sale

Unknown — Mon, 03 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT

ROSEMONT, Ill. - Tickets for the inaugural 2026 Big Ten Volleyball Tournament will go on sale to the general public on Monday, August 3 at 11 a.m. ET. The first-ever conference tournament will take place Nov. 20-25 at Fishers Event Center in Fishers, Ind., home of Major League Volleyball's Indy Ignite.

The top 15 teams in the regular-season standings will qualify for the tournament, bringing the nation’s premier volleyball programs together in one venue for the first time.

All tickets will be reserved seating. All-session tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster here .

For suite availability, please contact Indiana Sports Corp by emailing selmore@IndianaSportsCorp.org .

Fans are encouraged to purchase early as premium seating and preferred locations are expected to sell quickly.

Visit bigten.org/wvb for the latest information regarding Big Ten volleyball.

Big Ten Volleyball Tournament FAQs

Unknown — Sun, 02 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT

THE BIG TEN VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT IS HERE! The first ever Big Ten Tournament Champion will be crowned in 2026. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or have just started following as the popularity of the sport skyrockets, the inaugural conference tournament will be epic.

Let’s get you all the info you need for the tournament.

Is there a Big Ten Volleyball Tournament?

Yes, the Big Ten does have a volleyball tournament! The first ever Big Ten Volleyball Tournament will take place from November 20–25, 2026. Read the full announcement .

When is the Big Ten Volleyball Tournament?

The 2026 Big Ten Volleyball Tournament will be played November 20–25. Match times have yet to be announced. Keep scrolling for the daily schedule.

Where is the Big Ten Volleyball Tournament?

The 2026 Big Ten Volleyball Tournament will be held at Fishers Event Center in Fishers, Indiana. The address is: 11000 Stockdale Street, Fishers, IN 46037.

You can get more venue information at fisherseventcenter.com .

How does the Big Ten Volleyball Tournament work?

The conference’s top 15 finishers will qualify for a single-elimination tournament. Seeds 10-15 go head-to-head in the opening round, seeds five through nine receive a single bye and join in the second round, and the top four finishers earn a double bye into the quarterfinals.

What is the Big Ten Volleyball Tournament schedule?

The daily schedule for the 2026 Big Ten Volleyball Tournament is:

Friday, November 20 – First round (three matches)
Saturday, November 21 – Second round (four matches)
Sunday, November 22 – Quarterfinals
Tuesday, November 24 – Semifinals
Wednesday, November 25 – Championship game

Match times have not been announced yet.

When is the Big Ten Volleyball Tournament Championship Match?

The championship game of the 2026 Big Ten Volleyball Tournament will be played on Wednesday, November 25. Game time and viewing information will be announced at a later date.

How many teams make the Big Ten Volleyball Tournament?

The conference’s top 15 teams at the end of the regular season will qualify for the 2026 Big Ten Volleyball Tournament.

What channel is the Big Ten Volleyball Tournament on? How can I watch it?

FOX is set to air the Big Ten Volleyball Tournament Championship match at 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday, November 25, becoming the first-ever broadcast television network to carry a women’s college volleyball conference tournament championship match.

Big Ten Network will televise the opening round, quarterfinals, and semifinals of the tournament, while the second round will be streamed on B1G+.

How much are tickets to the Big Ten Volleyball Tournament?

All session inventory is currently sold out. Single session tickets and information will go live at a later date. Sign up to be notified when tickets go on sale .

Where can I get tickets to the Big Ten Volleyball Tournament?

All session inventory is currently sold out. Single session tickets and information will go live at a later date. Sign up to be notified when tickets go on sale .

How many matches are in the Big Ten Volleyball regular season with the new tournament?

Each team’s regular season schedule will be decreased from 20 to 17 conference matches and move to a single round-robin format to account for the tournament matches.

How can I get the latest Big Ten Volleyball news and information?

Stay in the game! You can keep up with all things Big Ten Volleyball across your favorite platforms:

X: @b1gvolleyball
Instagram: @b1gvolleyball
To never miss a B1G moment, you can subscribe here and become a Big Ten Insider.

Volleyball Tournament Tickets: Get Notified When Single-Session Tickets are Available

Big Ten Communications — Sun, 02 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Big Ten Announces 2026 Volleyball Preseason Honors

Unknown — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT

ROSEMONT, Ill. - The Big Ten Conference announced its 2026 volleyball preseason honors and preseason poll on Thursday, ahead of the fifth annual Big Ten Volleyball Media Day on August 3 at Big Ten Network Studios in Chicago.

Nebraska was the unanimous favorite to repeat as Big Ten Champions.

Nine schools were represented among the 19 student-athletes receiving preseason recognition.

Four members of the preseason all-conference team were unanimous selections for the second consecutive season: Nebraska’s Harper Murray, Andi Jackson and Bergen Reilly and Penn State’s Kennedy Martin.

The preseason poll and all-conference teams were voted on by the conference’s 18 head coaches. Nine members of the preseason all-conference team are scheduled to attend Big Ten Volleyball Media Day next week. Media interested in attending the event can apply for credentials here .

The complete list of Big Ten volleyball preseason honors is as follows:

2026 BIG TEN VOLLEYBALL PRESEASON POLL
1. NEBRASKA
2. Wisconsin
3. Penn State
4. Purdue
5. Minnesota
6. Indiana
7. USC
8. Oregon
9. UCLA
10. Illinois
11. Michigan
12. Michigan State
13. Washington
14. Northwestern
15. Iowa
16. Ohio State
17. Rutgers
18. Maryland

2026 BIG TEN VOLLEYBALL PRESEASON ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM
Jaidyn Jager, So., OH, Indiana
Teodora Kričković, So., S, Indiana
Carly Gilk, So., OPP, Minnesota
ANDI JACKSON, Sr., MB, Nebraska
HARPER MURRAY, Sr., OH, Nebraska
BERGEN REILLY, Sr., S, Nebraska
Alanah Clemente, So., OPP, Oregon
Valentina Vaulet, Sr., OH, Oregon
KENNEDY MARTIN, Sr., OPP, Penn State
Alexis Stucky, Sr., S, Penn State
Taylor Anderson, Sr., S, Purdue
Grace Heaney, R-Jr., OPP, Purdue
Kenna Wollard, Sr., OH, Purdue
Lola Schumacher, Jr., L, UCLA
Marianna Singletary, Sr., MB, UCLA
Adonia Faumuina, R-Sr., OH, USC
Abigail Mullen, So., OPP, USC
Jaela Auguste, Jr., MB, Wisconsin
Charlie Fuerbringer, Jr., S, Wisconsin

Unanimous Selection in ALL CAPS
* - additional players due to tie in voting

2026 Big Ten Volleyball Media Day

Unknown — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Follow Big Ten Volleyball:

X , Facebook , Instagram | FOX Sports App | B1G+
Big Ten Volleyball | Big Ten Network

Monday, August 3

Press Conferences Schedule (All Times CT)

TIME (CT)	SCHOOL	Attendees
9:07 - 9:27 a.m.	Wisconsin	Grace Egan Charlie Fuerbringer Head Coach Kelly Sheffield
9:32 - 9:52 a.m.	Michigan State ( Notes )	Ky Clayton Karolina Staniszewska Head Coach Kristen Kelsay
9:57 - 10:17 a.m.	Purdue	Dior Charles Grace Heaney Head Coach Dave Shondell
10:22 - 10:42 a.m.	Iowa	Liv Mogridge Hannah Whittingstall Head Coach Jim Barnes
10:47 - 11:07 a.m.	Michigan	Ella Demetrician Sydney Schnichels Head Coach Erin Virtue
11:12 - 11:32 a.m.	Northwestern	Gigi Navarrete Drew Wright Head Coach Tim Nollan
11:37 - 11:57 a.m.	Indiana	Sade Ilawole Jaidyn Jager Head Coach Steve Aird
12:02 - 12:22 p.m.	Ohio State	Layla Hoying Hannah Jones Head Coach Jen Flynn Oldenburg
12:27 - 12:47 p.m.	Illinois	Vivian Campbell Kenna Phelan Head Coach Chris Tamas
2:00 - 2:20 p.m.	Penn State	Caroline Jurevicius Kennedy Martin Head Coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley
2:25 - 2:45 p.m.	Oregon	Alanah Clemente Valentina Vaulet Head Coach Trent Kersten
2:50 - 3:10 p.m.	Maryland	Sydney Bryant Annika Sokol Head Coach Adam Hughes
3:15 - 3:35 p.m.	UCLA	Maggie Li Lola Schumacher Head Coach Matt Werle
3:40 - 4:00 p.m.	USC	Abigail Mullen Mia Tvrdy Head Coach Brad Keller
4:05 - 4:25 p.m.	Washington	Julia Hunt Katy Wessels Head Coach Leslie Gabriel
4:30 - 4:50 p.m.	Minnesota	Stella Swenson Mckenna Wucherer Head Coach Keegan Cook
4:55 - 5:15 p.m.	Nebraska	Andi Jackson Bergen Reilly Head Coach Dani Busboom Kelly
5:20 - 5:40 p.m.	Rutgers	Lily Bolen Aspen Maxwell Head Coach Caitlin Schweihofer

Big Ten Recognizes 2025-26 Distinguished Scholar Award Recipients

Unknown — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Full Distinguished Scholar Recipient List

ROSEMONT, Ill. - The Big Ten Conference announced Monday that 1,962 students on varsity rosters have earned the Big Ten Distinguished Scholar Award. The list includes students from all 18 institutions, plus Johns Hopkins and Notre Dame and 41 sports who have recorded a minimum grade-point average (GPA) of 3.7 or higher for the previous academic year.

The 2025-26 class of Distinguished Scholar Award Recipients includes 359 students who maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA during the previous academic year, represented in bold on the official list.

Big Ten Faculty Representatives established the Distinguished Scholar Award in 2008 to supplement the Academic All-Big Ten program. Distinguished Scholar Award recipients must have earned Academic All-Big Ten recognition in the previous academic year, must have been enrolled full time at the institution for the entire previous academic year (two semesters or three quarters) and earned a minimum GPA of 3.70 or better during the previous academic year, excluding any summer grades. The Academic All-Big Ten threshold is a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher for a student's academic career.

A complete list of the 2025-26 Big Ten Distinguished Scholar Award recipients can be found above.

Big Ten Announces 36 Student-Athletes to Participate at 2026 Volleyball Media Day

Unknown — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT

ROSEMONT, Ill. - The Big Ten Conference announced Monday the complete list of volleyball student-athletes scheduled to attend the fifth annual Big Ten Volleyball Media Day. The single-day event on August 3 at Big Ten Network Studios will feature all 18 schools, represented by their head coach and two student-athletes.

This year’s attendees features five All-Americans and 12 All-Big Ten selections from 2025, including Player and Setter of the Year Bergen Reilly from Nebraska and Freshman of the Year Alanah Clemente from Oregon.

Media intending to cover the event can apply for credentials here .

2026 Big Ten Volleyball Media Day Attendees

Illinois
Vivian Campbell
Kenna Phelan

Indiana
Sade Ilawole
Jaidyn Jager

Iowa
Liv Mogridge
Hannah Whittingstall

Maryland
Sydney Bryant
Annika Sokol

Michigan
Ella Demetrician
Sydney Schnichels

Michigan State
Ky Clayton
Karolina Staniszewska

Minnesota
Stella Swenson
Mckenna Wucherer

Nebraska
Andi Jackson
Bergen Reilly

Northwestern
Gigi Navarrete
Drew Wright

Ohio State
Layla Hoying
Hannah Jones

Oregon
Alanah Clemente
Valentina Vaulet

Penn State
Caroline Jurevicius
Kennedy Martin

Purdue
Dior Charles
Grace Heaney

Rutgers
Lily Bolen
Aspen Maxwell

UCLA
Maggie Li
Lola Schumacher

USC
Abigail Mullen
Mia Tvrdy

Washington
Julia Hunt
Katy Wessels

Wisconsin
Grace Egan
Charlie Fuerbringer

Big Life Series Showcases the Spirit of the Pacific Northwest

Unknown — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT

PORTLAND, Ore. - As the sun set over the rolling hills of Cooper Mountain Vineyards on Saturday evening, “Big Life Series: Pacific Northwest” concluded its immersive educational experience where student-athletes from all 18 Big Ten institutions learned firsthand about the rich culture and history of the Pacific Northwest.

Over the course of less than 48 hours, over 175 student-athletes and administrators engaged in programming that included visits to Multnomah Falls, the Oregon Historical Society, the Grande Ronde Reservation, and Cooper Mountain Vineyards. The event brought together participants from all 18 Big Ten institutions, creating opportunities for learning, dialogue, and relationship-building among student-athletes from across the conference.

“Big Life Series: Pacific Northwest was a remarkable experience that allowed attendees to better understand and interact with the history, culture, landscape, and people that give the Pacific Northwest its distinct identity,” said Big Ten Chief Operating Officer Kerry Kenny. “The unique opportunity to connect student-athletes from across the country to an immersive experience outside of their traditional element is what distinguishes the Big Ten in preparing these young men and women for life after campus.”

At the Oregon Historical Society on Saturday morning, student-athletes learned about how Oregon became the state it is today, including the often-untold Black, Native American, and Japanese history that has shaped the state. Participants also toured the Yasui Family exhibit, learning about the challenges Japanese Americans faced during World War II and the advocacy efforts that helped advance civil rights in the decades that followed.

The quote on the back of the Big Life Series: Pacific Northwest T-shirt: “What is done to the least of us can be done to all of us” was from Presidential Medal of Freedom winner Minori Yasui.

“I found his bravery in speaking out about these issues incredible,” said Indiana women’s track & field sprinter Kristina Vincic. “Having a voice isn’t an easy thing and it takes time to build one. That’s something we can definitely tie in to our teams.”

After learning about Native American history at the Oregon Historical Society, participants experienced its living impact firsthand at the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Veterans Powwow. Student-athletes learned about the traditional longhouse, witnessed cultural traditions, and took part in the Grand Entry ceremony.

Often competitors on the field, student-athletes joined together to dance with members of the Grande Ronde Confederation and in honoring Veterans. For many student-athletes, it is the moment they said they will remember most about the trip.

“It was beautiful seeing the tradition unfold right before my eyes and getting involved with it,” said Penn State football student-athlete Armstrong Nnodim. “As athletes we get caught up in the competitive world, so to come here and bond with everyone from different backgrounds was amazing.”

Launched in 2022, the Big Life Series is part of the Big Ten’s commitment to providing educational and developmental opportunities beyond competition. The Pacific Northwest program represented the latest installment of the initiative, connecting student-athletes with the people, places, and histories that shape communities throughout the conference’s expanded footprint.

For a full list of Big Ten student-athletes who participated in “Big Life Series: Pacific Northwest”, click here .

Big Life Series Heads to the Pacific Northwest

Unknown — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT

ROSEMONT, Ill. - As part of the “Big Life Series: Pacific Northwest”, the Big Ten will host over 150 student-athletes, coaches and administrators from all 18 Big Ten schools in Portland, Ore. from Friday, July 10 to Sunday, July 12. The program is designed to deepen participants’ understanding of the region’s rich history, culture and communities through an immersive educational experience.

Programming will begin Friday evening with a nature walk through Multnomah Falls to showcase the region’s deep ties to nature and the history of the Pacific Northwest landscape.

On Saturday, student-athletes will visit the Oregon Historical Society and have the chance to learn about the Japanese American West Coast experience and hear firsthand from a member of the Oregon Black Pioneers. Through discussions centered on resilience, community, and historical impact, participants will gain a deeper appreciation for the individuals and stories that have shaped the Pacific Northwest.

The group will then travel to the Grand Ronde Reservation for a Veterans Powwow, which will provide an opportunity to engage with living cultural traditions and better understand the history, values and contributions of the Native American communities across the region.

The evening will conclude with a dinner at Cooper Mountain Vineyard, where student-athletes will have a hands-on discussion about the agricultural history of the region and the grape-growing operation.

The Big Life series is an immersive educational experience started in 2022 that focuses on engaging, educating, and empowering Big Ten student-athletes, coaches, and administrators. With trips to Selma, Alabama; Mount Vernon, Iowa; and Portland, Oregon attendees learn about the historical and cultural significance of the region. Since its inception, over 500 students-athletes have participated in these programs. Along with the educational component of the experience, the Big Ten uses these trips to leave a lasting impact in the communities it visits.

For a full list of Big Ten student-athletes attending “Big Life Series: Pacific Northwest”, click here .

Washington Wins Inaugural Allstate Big Ten Women's Championship Series

Unknown — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT

ROSEMONT, Ill. – The University of Washington are champions of the inaugural Allstate Big Ten Women’s Championship Series, the conference announced Wednesday. The Huskies (113.2 points) earned the title over runners-up UCLA (112), with Michigan (105.6), USC (104.4) and Ohio State (100.8) rounding out the final Top-5 of the year-long competition.

Across the 2025-26 campaign, Washington excelled in numerous women’s sports including soccer, where they captured both the Big Ten regular-season and tournament titles, and rowing, at which they won six of seven grand finals to repeat as conference champions. The Huskies also piled up points with Top-4 finishes at the Big Ten cross country, indoor track and field, and outdoor track and field championship meets, headlined by sisters Amanda and Hana Moll who finished No. 1 and No. 2 in pole vault at the NCAA Championships this year.

“Winning is in the DNA of Washington. Having success across the board is something that’s critically important to us,” said Washington Athletic Director Pat Chun. “We take an extraordinary amount of pride in winning this Allstate Women’s Championship award, and being the inaugural winners, especially because the Big Ten conference is so difficult across the board in all sports. This is a league that historically has prioritized women’s sports and is at the current peak of women’s college sports, and for us to be able to win this, it’s really hard to articulate but we take an immense amount of pride in winning this. All of our teams will celebrate this, the way our department is wired this is really a statement about everybody at UW.”

UCLA finished just 1.2 points off the Championship Series-winning total, propelled by Big Ten basketball regular-season and tournament crowns on their way to the NCAA championship, and capturing both conference titles in gymnastics. An outstanding year for Michigan was highlighted by regular-season and tournament championships in tennis, and a dominant performance at the swimming and diving championships.

In October the Big Ten Conference, Big Ten Network and Allstate announced the creation of the Allstate Big Ten Women’s Championship Series, a new competition designed to spotlight and celebrate excellence in women’s athletics across the conference. The championship series is the centerpiece of a first-of-its kind, multi-year partnership that established Allstate as the Official Insurance Partner of the Big Ten Conference, and reflects Allstate’s 20-year legacy of supporting college athletics, as well as its ongoing commitment to women’s sports.

Allstate’s longstanding support of college athletics is part of its commitment to empowering young people to lead in their communities. Allstate has been a proud member of the college athletics community for more than 20 years through its university and conference sponsorships, academic scholarships and community impact initiatives. Since 2005, the Allstate Good Hands Nets program has raised millions of dollars in scholarships with every field goal and extra point scored. Since 2008, the Allstate Good Works Teams have honored hundreds of student-athletes for their service off the field, supporting causes such as youth empowerment and hunger relief. For more than 20 years, the company has been the title sponsor of the Allstate Sugar Bowl, one of the premier events in college football.

Big Ten Network Presents School Days June 6-25

Unknown — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Beginning this Saturday, the Big Ten Network will feature all 18 Big Ten Conference schools with a dedicated full day of programming. Over the next three weeks, BTN will highlight a different Big Ten school each day with an entire day of programming featuring the top moments from the 2025-26 athletic year, including NCAA Championships, replays of classic games, Big Ten championship moments and original programming.

Digital coverage of each day will also be available via the Big Ten Network’s X , Facebook , YouTube and Instagram platforms. All television programming also streams live via FOX One .

Select programming highlights for each day can be found below, with the schedule subject to change.

Saturday, June 6: Iowa

Featured Programming (Event Date)	Time (ET)
Iowa Basketball Classic: NCAA Second Round: Iowa vs. Florida (3/22/26)	2 p.m.
Iowa Football Classic: ReliaQuest Bowl: Iowa vs. Vanderbilt (12/31/25)	10:30 p.m.

Sunday, June 7: Nebraska

Featured Programming (Event Date)	Time (ET)
Nebraska Softball Classic: B1G Championship: Nebraska vs. UCLA (5/9/26)	Noon
Nebraska Basketball Classic: NCAA Second Round: Nebraska vs. Vanderbilt (3/21/26)	1 p.m.

Monday, June 8: Oregon

Featured Programming (Event Date)	Time (ET)
B1G Women’s Volleyball: Oregon at UCLA (11/6/25)	5:30 p.m.
Oregon Football Classic: Oregon at Penn State (9/27/25)	9:30 p.m.

Tuesday, June 9: Wisconsin

Featured Programming (Event Date)	Time (ET)
Wisconsin Hockey Classic: Women’s National Championship: Wisconsin vs. Ohio State (3/22/26)	Noon
Wisconsin Volleyball Classic: Florida at Wisconsin (9/21/25)	11 p.m.

Wednesday, June 10: Northwestern

Featured Programming (Event Date)	Time (ET)
Northwestern Field Hockey Classic: NCAA Championship: Northwestern vs. Princeton (11/23/25)	1 p.m.
Northwestern Women’s Lacrosse Classic: B1G Championship: Northwestern vs. Maryland (4/26/26)	2 p.m.

Thursday, June 11: Indiana

Featured Programming (Event Date)	Time (ET)
Indiana Football Classic: B1G Championship: Indiana vs. Ohio State (12/6/25)	9 p.m.
The Journey: Big Ten Football: Indiana	10 p.m.

Friday, June 12: USC

Featured Programming (Event Date)	Time (ET)
USC Water Polo Classic: NCAA Women’s National Championship: USC vs. California (4/26/26)	2 p.m.
USC Football Classic: Michigan at USC (10/11/25)	10:30 p.m.

Saturday, June 13: Ohio State

Featured Programming (Event Date)	Time (ET)
Ohio State Basketball Classic: Purdue at Ohio State (3/1/26)	2 p.m.
B1G Spring Football: Ohio State (4/18/26)	4 p.m.

Sunday, June 14: Michigan

Featured Programming (Event Date)	Time (ET)
Michigan Basketball Classic: NCAA National Championship: Michigan vs. Connecticut (4/6/26)	11 a.m.
Michigan Hockey Classic: B1G Championship: Ohio State at Michigan (3/21/26)	10:30 p.m.

Monday, June 15: Washington

Featured Programming (Event Date)	Time (ET)
Washington Soccer Classic: NCAA Championship: Washington vs. NC State (12/15/25)	1 p.m.
B1G Spring Football: Washington (5/1/26)	5:30 p.m.

Tuesday, June 16: Penn State

Featured Programming (Event Date)	Time (ET)
Penn State Men’s Lacrosse Classic: B1G Championship: Johns Hopkins vs. Penn State (5/2/26)	10 a.m.
B1G Wrestling: Ohio State at Penn State (2/13/26)	2 p.m.

Wednesday, June 17: Rutgers

Featured Programming (Event Date)	Time (ET)
B1G Men’s Lacrosse: Johns Hopkins at Rutgers (3/29/26)	10 a.m.
B1G Football in 60: Maryland at Rutgers (11/8/25)	8:30 p.m.

Thursday, June 18: UCLA

Featured Programming (Event Date)	Time (ET)
UCLA Basketball Classic: NCAA Women’s National Championship: UCLA vs. South Carolina (4/5/26)	1 p.m.
B1G Baseball: USC at UCLA (4/5/26)	3 p.m.

Friday, June 19: Purdue

Featured Programming (Event Date)	Time (ET)
B1G Volleyball in 60: Purdue vs. Indiana (10/16/25)	3:30 p.m.
Purdue Basketball Classic: B1G Championship: Purdue vs. Michigan (3/15/26)	9 p.m.

Saturday, June 20: Michigan State

Featured Programming (Event Date)	Time (ET)
Michigan State Basketball Classic: Illinois at Michigan State (2/7/26)	6 p.m.
B1G Men’s Ice Hockey: Michigan State at Penn State (1/31/26)	9 p.m.

Sunday, June 21: Illinois

Featured Programming (Event Date)	Time (ET)
Illinois Basketball Classic: NCAA Elite Eight: Illinois vs. Iowa (3/28/26)	4 p.m.
Illinois Football Classic: USC at Illinois (9/27/25)	6 p.m.

Monday, June 22: Maryland

Featured Programming (Event Date)	Time (ET)
B1G Men’s Lacrosse: Virginia at Maryland (3/14/26)	6 p.m.
B1G Football in 60: Maryland at Wisconsin (9/20/25)	8:30 p.m.

Thursday, June 25: Minnesota

Featured Programming (Event Date)	Time (ET)
B1G Basketball in 60: Women’s Basketball: Minnesota at Iowa (2/5/26)	2 p.m.
Minnesota Basketball Classic: Michigan State at Minnesota (2/4/26)	9 p.m.

Big Ten Announces 2026 Volleyball Schedule

Unknown — Thu, 28 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT

ROSEMONT, Ill. - The Big Ten Conference announced Thursday the full volleyball conference schedule for all 18 member institutions for the 2026 season.

Each member institution will play a 17-match conference schedule against all conference opponents as part of a single round-robin.

Conference play begins on Thursday, September 24, with five matches: Maryland at Purdue, Minnesota at Illinois, Oregon at Wisconsin, UCLA at Indiana and USC at Northwestern.

The remaining institutions will begin their conference slate on Friday, September 25. Teams will compete twice in Big Ten play during the week, with the regular season concluding on Tuesday, November 17, prior to the start of the inaugural Big Ten Tournament.

With the introduction of a conference tournament, the Big Ten will recognize a regular season champion in addition to a tournament champion. The tournament champion will be the conference’s automatic qualifier to the 2026 NCAA Tournament.

The Big Ten | Discover Volleyball Challenge debuted during the 2025 regular season and will continue in 2026. During the month of October, weekday matches will count toward the Big Ten | Discover Volleyball Challenge.

The complete 2026 Big Ten volleyball conference schedule can be found below. Television network designations and start times for the complete Big Ten schedule, as well as tournament matches, will be announced at a later date.

Thursday, September 24
Maryland at Purdue
Minnesota at Illinois
Oregon at Wisconsin
UCLA at Indiana
USC at Northwestern

Friday, September 25
Ohio State at Iowa
Penn State at Michigan
Rutgers at Nebraska
Washington at Michigan State

Saturday, September 26
Maryland at Indiana
Ohio State at Nebraska
Oregon at Minnesota
Rutgers at Iowa
UCLA at Northwestern
USC at Illinois

Sunday, September 27
Penn State at Michigan State
Washington at Michigan
Wisconsin at Purdue

Thursday, October 1
Indiana at Wisconsin
Iowa at Maryland
Nebraska at Penn State
Northwestern at Minnesota
Rutgers at Ohio State

Friday, October 2
Illinois at Washington
Michigan at USC
Michigan State at UCLA
Purdue at Oregon

Saturday, October 3
Iowa at Penn State
Michigan at UCLA
Nebraska at Maryland
Ohio State at Northwestern

Sunday, October 4
Illinois at Oregon
Indiana at Rutgers
Michigan State at USC
Purdue at Washington
Wisconsin at Minnesota

Thursday, October 8
Nebraska at Indiana
Wisconsin at Illinois

Friday, October 9
Iowa at Michigan
Minnesota at Rutgers
Northwestern at Penn State
Oregon at Michigan State
UCLA at Maryland
USC at Purdue
Washington at Ohio State

Saturday, October 10
Northwestern at Maryland
Oregon at Michigan
Wisconsin at Nebraska
UCLA at Rutgers

Sunday, October 11
Illinois at Purdue
Iowa at Michigan State
Minnesota at Ohio State
USC at Indiana
Washington at Penn State

Thursday, October 15
Michigan State at Illinois
Nebraska at Northwestern
Purdue at Iowa

Friday, October 16
Indiana at Oregon
Maryland at Wisconsin
Michigan at Minnesota
Ohio State at USC
Penn State at UCLA
Rutgers at Washington

Saturday, October 17
Maryland at Minnesota
Michigan State at Northwestern
Penn State at USC
Purdue at Nebraska

Sunday, October 18
Indiana at Washington
Michigan at Illinois
Ohio State at UCLA
Rutgers at Oregon
Wisconsin at Iowa

Thursday, October 22
Michigan at Northwestern
UCLA at Nebraska
USC at Iowa

Friday, October 23
Illinois at Maryland
Indiana at Ohio State
Michigan State at Rutgers
Minnesota at Purdue
Oregon at Penn State
Washington at Wisconsin

Saturday, October 24
Illinois at Rutgers
Oregon at Ohio State
UCLA at Iowa
USC at Nebraska

Sunday, October 25
Michigan at Wisconsin
Michigan State at Maryland
Northwestern at Purdue
Penn State at Indiana
Washington at Minnesota

Thursday, October 29
Northwestern at Illinois
Ohio State at Penn State
Rutgers at Purdue

Friday, October 30
Indiana at Michigan State
Iowa at Washington
Maryland at Oregon
Minnesota at UCLA
Nebraska at Michigan
Wisconsin at USC

Saturday, October 31
Indiana at Michigan
Nebraska at Michigan State
Purdue at Penn State
Rutgers at Northwestern

Sunday, November 1
Iowa at Oregon
Maryland at Washington
Minnesota at USC
Ohio State at Illinois
Wisconsin at UCLA

Wednesday, November 4
Purdue at Ohio State

Thursday, November 5
Michigan at Rutgers
Michigan State at Wisconsin
UCLA at Illinois
USC at Maryland

Friday, November 6
Iowa at Indiana
Northwestern at Washington
Penn State at Minnesota

Saturday, November 7
Michigan at Maryland
Nebraska at Oregon
Ohio State at Michigan State
UCLA at Purdue
USC at Rutgers

Sunday, November 8
Illinois at Indiana
Minnesota at Iowa
Nebraska at Washington
Northwestern at Oregon
Penn State at Wisconsin

Wednesday, November 11
Indiana at Minnesota
Ohio State at Michigan
Penn State at Maryland
Wisconsin at Rutgers

Thursday, November 12
Illinois at Nebraska
Iowa at Northwestern
Oregon at USC
Purdue at Michigan State
Washington at UCLA

Friday, November 13
Maryland at Rutgers
Wisconsin at Ohio State

Saturday, November 14
Iowa at Nebraska
Michigan State at Minnesota
Northwestern at Indiana
Oregon at UCLA
Penn State at Illinois
Purdue at Michigan
Washington at USC

Tuesday, November 17
Illinois at Iowa
Maryland at Ohio State
Michigan at Michigan State
Minnesota at Nebraska
Northwestern at Wisconsin
Purdue at Indiana
Rutgers at Penn State
USC at UCLA
Washington at Oregon

Big Ten Announces Volleyball Opponent Rotation Through 2027

Unknown — Mon, 04 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT

ROSEMONT, Ill. - The Big Ten Conference announced the complete opponent rotation for all 18 schools for the 2026 and 2027 volleyball seasons on Monday. Each member institution will play a 17-match conference schedule against all conference opponents as part of a single round-robin, ensuring every team competes against each other annually. The format is designed to accommodate the inaugural Big Ten Volleyball Tournament in November 2026.

The complete list of Big Ten home/away opponents is below, with each matchup reversing sites in 2027. Dates, times and television coverage will be announced at a later date.

ILLINOIS
Home: Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Northwestern, Ohio State, Penn State, UCLA, USC, Wisconsin
Away: Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Nebraska, Oregon, Purdue, Rutgers, Washington

INDIANA
Home: Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Nebraska, Northwestern, Penn State, Purdue, UCLA, USC
Away: Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Ohio State, Oregon, Rutgers, Washington, Wisconsin

IOWA
Home: Illinois, Minnesota, Ohio State, Purdue, Rutgers, UCLA, USC, Wisconsin
Away: Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska, Northwestern, Oregon, Penn State, Washington

MARYLAND
Home: Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska, Northwestern, Penn State, UCLA, USC
Away: Indiana, Minnesota, Ohio State, Oregon, Purdue, Rutgers, Washington, Wisconsin

MICHIGAN
Home: Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State, Purdue, Washington
Away: Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, Michigan State, Northwestern, Rutgers, UCLA, USC, Wisconsin

MICHIGAN STATE
Home: Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Nebraska, Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State, Purdue, Washington
Away: Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, Northwestern, Rutgers, UCLA, USC, Wisconsin

MINNESOTA
Home: Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Michigan State, Northwestern, Oregon, Penn State, Washington, Wisconsin
Away: Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Ohio State, Purdue, Rutgers, UCLA, USC

NEBRASKA
Home: Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Ohio State, Purdue, Rutgers, UCLA, USC, Wisconsin
Away: Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Michigan State, Northwestern, Oregon, Penn State, Washington

NORTHWESTERN
Home: Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska, Ohio State, Rutgers, UCLA, USC
Away: Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Oregon, Penn State, Purdue, Washington, Wisconsin

OHIO STATE
Home: Indiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Oregon, Purdue, Rutgers, Washington, Wisconsin
Away: Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska, Northwestern, Penn State, UCLA, USC

OREGON
Home: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Nebraska, Northwestern, Purdue, Rutgers, Washington
Away: Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Ohio State, Penn State, UCLA, USC, Wisconsin

PENN STATE
Home: Iowa, Nebraska, Northwestern, Ohio State, Oregon, Purdue, Rutgers, Washington
Away: Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, UCLA, USC, Wisconsin

PURDUE
Home: Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, Northwestern, Rutgers, UCLA, USC, Wisconsin
Away: Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska, Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State, Washington

RUTGERS
Home: Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, UCLA, USC, Wisconsin
Away: Iowa, Nebraska, Northwestern, Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State, Purdue, Washington

UCLA
Home: Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State, USC, Washington, Wisconsin
Away: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Nebraska, Northwestern, Purdue, Rutgers

USC
Home: Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State, Washington, Wisconsin
Away: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Nebraska, Northwestern, Purdue, Rutgers, UCLA

WASHINGTON
Home: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Nebraska, Northwestern, Purdue, Rutgers
Away: Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State, UCLA, USC, Wisconsin

WISCONSIN
Home: Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Michigan State, Northwestern, Oregon, Penn State, Washington
Away: Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Ohio State, Purdue, Rutgers, UCLA, USC

2026 Big Ten Volleyball Media Day

Unknown — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Big Ten Volleyball Tournament to Debut in November 2026

Unknown — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT

ROSEMONT, Ill. - The Big Ten Conference will usher in a new era of collegiate volleyball this fall with the launch of its inaugural tournament November 20-25, 2026, at Fishers Event Center, home of Major League Volleyball’s Indy Ignite, the conference announced Thursday. Fans can sign up to be the first to learn about tickets and other tournament information here .

WATCH: A New Era of Big Ten Volleyball

“For the first time in its history, the Big Ten Conference will determine its volleyball champion with a postseason tournament featuring the best volleyball teams in the country,” said Commissioner Tony Petitti. “We look forward to bringing the nation’s top talent together for an entire week of exhilarating competition culminating in the crowning of the inaugural Big Ten Volleyball Tournament Champion.”

The top 15 teams in the regular-season standings will qualify for the tournament, bringing the nation’s premier volleyball programs together in one venue for the first time.

Three matches will be played in the opening round of the tournament, followed by four second-round matches. The competition will then progress through the quarterfinals and semifinals, culminating with the championship match slated for November 25. One off day will be built into the tournament schedule.

The Big Ten regular-season schedule will decrease from 20 to 17 matches, in a single, round-robin format to account for the tournament. Television designations and ticket information will be distributed at a later date.

“It is an incredibly exciting time not only for volleyball, but for Big Ten Conference volleyball as a whole,” said Penn State head coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley. “Under the leadership of Commissioner Petitti, along with Grace McNamara and the entire conference office, the commitment to elevating the student-athlete experience and enhancing the landscape of college athletics is evident every day. I am truly proud to be part of a conference that continues to push boundaries, set new standards and lead with innovation and purpose. The introduction of the first Big Ten Volleyball Tournament marks a significant milestone, and it is a testament to the vision and growth of this league. Most importantly, it provides our student-athletes with an even greater platform – putting them center stage and showcasing their talent, dedication and passion at the highest level.”

Big Ten volleyball has long represented the premier collection of programs in the sport, with current conference schools combining for 22 NCAA Division I Championships, including winning 12 of the last 20. Eight of the nine most-watched college volleyball matches of all time have featured Big Ten teams, and six different Big Ten regular-season matches last season earned an audience of more than 500,000 on three different networks.

The Big Ten continues to be the most popular conference in the country in terms of attendance, leading the Division I attendance rankings in every season since 2007, as its matches routinely attract some of the largest crowds in collegiate volleyball – momentum that will assuredly translate to the league’s first conference tournament.

Fishers Event Center outside of Indianapolis opened its doors in 2024 and is the newest entertainment arena of its size in the region, with a seating capacity for 7,500 fans. For more information about the venue, visit https://fisherseventcenter.com/ .

“Fishers is a volleyball city, and today’s announcement brings us one step closer to delivering an unforgettable experience for fans," said Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness. "This fall, our city will become the epicenter of Big Ten women’s volleyball as many of the nation’s top programs come together in one venue for the first time. We can’t wait to welcome passionate fans and outstanding student-athletes to Fishers for what promises to be an incredible showcase of the sport.”

The city of Indianapolis and surrounding communities are no stranger to hosting Big Ten tournaments and championships. Big Ten titles in football, men’s and women’s indoor track & field and women’s basketball have all been earned in the area this year, and the 2026 Big Ten Rowing Championships head to the Indianapolis Rowing Center May 16-17.

“Indiana Sports Corp is proud to expand our longstanding partnership with the Big Ten Conference as we welcome the inaugural Big Ten Volleyball Tournament to Fishers in 2026,” said Indiana Sports Corp President Patrick Talty. “Our region has a long, successful history of hosting Big Ten Championships. We’re excited to build on that legacy and deliver a world-class experience for the student-athletes and fans. This tournament represents an exciting new chapter for one of the fastest-growing sports in the country and directly supports our 2050 Vision of bringing the biggest sporting events to Indiana while continuing to invest in and champion women’s athletics.”

The 2026 volleyball season will begin with the Fifth Annual Big Ten Volleyball Media Day on August 3 in Chicago. Interested media can apply for a credential here . The highly anticipated slate will include the first Big Ten/SEC Volleyball Challenge Week that culminates in a doubleheader at Wrigley Field on Sunday, September 6.

Tickets on Sale for Big Ten Volleyball at Wrigley Field

Big Ten Communications — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Wrigley Field Doubleheader Highlights Inaugural Big Ten/SEC Volleyball Challenge Week

Unknown — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT

ROSEMONT, Ill. - The Big Ten Conference and Southeastern Conference (SEC) have announced a partnership for Big Ten/SEC Volleyball Challenge Week, beginning in 2026. Highlighted by a doubleheader at iconic Wrigley Field, this initiative brings together the nation’s premier conferences in competition that reflects the growth and national momentum of women’s college volleyball.

All 18 Big Ten schools and all 16 SEC institutions will match up beginning Tuesday, September 1, culminating with a historic outdoor doubleheader at Wrigley Field on Sunday, September 6.

“Big Ten/SEC Volleyball Challenge Week culminating at Wrigley Field brings together the highest level of women’s volleyball competition, at one of the most iconic venues in the country,” said Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti. “As women’s volleyball participation, sponsorship, attendance and viewership continue to grow, we look forward to providing this unique opportunity to showcase the exceptional competition.”

The Wrigley Field event will feature three national champions with Nebraska taking on Missouri and Penn State battling Kentucky. The matches will mark the first time volleyball has been played at Wrigley Field, creating a unique experience for teams and fans alike and adding a new chapter to one of the most recognizable venues in sports.

“This is a historic moment for the Chicago Cubs, Big Ten and the SEC that has been months in the making,” said Cubs President of Business Operations Crane Kenney. “We’re thrilled to welcome these incredible schools and student-athletes to the first-ever collegiate volleyball game at Wrigley Field.”

Both outdoor matches will be broadcast live on FOX, with the first match scheduled for 6 p.m. CT followed by an 8 p.m. CT start time for the second match.

Challenge week showcases elite competition while elevating women’s sports on the national stage. Various campus sites will serve as hosts to two Big Ten teams and two SEC teams, while Kentucky, Missouri, Tennessee and Texas will host standalone home matches against Big Ten foes on Tuesday and Wednesday. Linear coverage will be available across FOX, FS1, Big Ten Network, ESPN and SEC Network, with additional coverage streamed on B1G+ and SECN+.

“Bringing the SEC and Big Ten together for a championship-caliber volleyball showcase, culminating at an iconic venue like Wrigley Field, reflects the extraordinary momentum of the sport,” said SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey. “This initiative not only elevates volleyball on a national stage but also underscores a continued growth and investment in women’s athletics. We are proud to be part of an event that celebrates the competitive excellence of these student-athletes while helping shape an even more prominent future for women’s athletics.”

Tickets will be available to purchase starting Thursday, April 9. For more information on the two matches at Wrigley Field, visit www.cubs.com/bigtenvolleyball .

The complete Big Ten/SEC Volleyball Challenge Week schedule can be found below.

MATCH DATE	HOME	AWAY	LOCATION
Tuesday, Sept. 1	Tennessee	Illinois	Food City Center (Knoxville, Tenn.)
Tuesday, Sept. 1	Missouri	Oregon	Hearnes Center (Columbia, Mo.)
Tuesday, Sept. 1	Minnesota	Florida	UW Fieldhouse (Madison, Wis.)
Tuesday, Sept. 1	Purdue	Texas A&M	Holloway Gymnasium (West Lafayette, Ind.)
Tuesday, Sept. 1	Indiana	Georgia	Holloway Gymnasium (West Lafayette, Ind.)
Tuesday, Sept. 1	Vanderbilt	Maryland	Historic Memorial Gymnasium (Nashville, Tenn.)
Tuesday, Sept. 1	Arkansas	Rutgers	Historic Memorial Gymnasium (Nashville, Tenn.)
Tuesday, Sept. 1	Michigan	South Carolina	Crisler Center (Ann Arbor, Mich.)
Tuesday, Sept. 1	Michigan State	LSU	Crisler Center (Ann Arbor, Mich.)
Wednesday, Sept. 2	Texas	USC	Gregory Gymnasium (Austin, Texas)
Wednesday, Sept. 2	Kentucky	UCLA	Historic Memorial Coliseum (Lexington, Ky.)
Wednesday, Sept. 2	Wisconsin	Florida	UW Fieldhouse (Madison, Wis.)
Wednesday, Sept. 2	Minnesota	Auburn	UW Fieldhouse (Madison, Wis.)
Wednesday, Sept. 2	Purdue	Georgia	Holloway Gymnasium (West Lafayette, Ind.)
Wednesday, Sept. 2	Indiana	Texas A&M	Holloway Gymnasium (West Lafayette, Ind.)
Wednesday, Sept. 2	Vanderbilt	Rutgers	Historic Memorial Gymnasium (Nashville, Tenn.)
Wednesday, Sept. 2	Arkansas	Maryland	Historic Memorial Gymnasium (Nashville, Tenn.)
Wednesday, Sept. 2	Michigan	LSU	Crisler Center (Ann Arbor, Mich.)
Wednesday, Sept. 2	Michigan State	South Carolina	Crisler Center (Ann Arbor, Mich.)
Wednesday, Sept. 2	Ole Miss	Ohio State	McCasland Field House (Norman, Okla.)
Thursday, Sept. 3	Wisconsin	Auburn	UW Fieldhouse (Madison, Wis.)
Thursday, Sept. 3	Mississippi State	Iowa	Newell-Grissom Building (Starkville, Miss.)
Thursday, Sept. 3	Alabama	Northwestern	Newell-Grissom Building (Starkville, Miss.)
Thursday, Sept. 3	Ole Miss	Washington	McCasland Field House (Norman, Okla.)
Thursday, Sept. 3	Oklahoma	Ohio State	McCasland Field House (Norman, Okla.)
Friday, Sept. 4	Mississippi State	Northwestern	Newell-Grissom Building (Starkville, Miss.)
Friday, Sept. 4	Alabama	Iowa	Newell-Grissom Building (Starkville, Miss.)
Friday, Sept. 4	Oklahoma	Washington	McCasland Field House (Norman, Okla.)
Sunday, Sept. 6	Nebraska	Missouri	Wrigley Field (Chicago, Ill.)
Sunday, Sept. 6	Penn State	Kentucky	Wrigley Field (Chicago, Ill.)

Big Ten Receives 2026 NCAA/MOAA Opportunities & Impact Award

Unknown — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana -- The Big Ten Conference has been named the Division I winner of the 2026 NCAA/MOAA Opportunities and Impact Award, the NCAA and Minority Opportunities Athletic Association — an affiliate of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics — announced Thursday.

READ: NCAA and MOAA announce 2026 Opportunities and Impact Award recipients

The award recognizes and celebrates the initiatives, programs and efforts of athletics departments and conference offices in Divisions I, II and III that embrace environments of belonging and well-being and elevate the student-athlete voice in intercollegiate athletics communities. NCAA and MOAA representatives will present the awards June 7-10 in Las Vegas during the MOAA Symposium.

"We're proud to accept this honor on behalf of our 18 schools, whose support makes these initiatives possible," Big Ten Conference Commissioner Tony Petitti said.

Omar Brown, Big Ten senior vice president for community and impact, added, "This humbling recognition is a direct result of the leadership and alignment we have from Commissioner Petitti, throughout the conference office, and in collaboration with our campuses. Big Ten student-athletes always are aiming for excellence in competition, in the classroom and in their communities. We will continue to build on this foundation to create transformational opportunities for their development and deliver impact to the many locales we call home across the nation throughout the year."

The Big Ten Conference continues to engage, educate and empower its student-athletes, coaches, administrators and its broader community base with programs, initiatives and engagements that make a difference and encourage positive change. For four years, student-athletes from Big Ten schools have traveled to Alabama for an immersive journey that included learning about the Civil Rights Movement, visits to historic sites, community service projects and panel sessions with local leaders. The Big Ten has also added new elements to the transformative experience each year to deepen understanding and inspire civic responsibility.

WATCH: Big Ten Community & Impact makes a difference

Additionally, the conference creates leadership opportunities for its student-athletes. It partners with James Russell Lowell Elementary School in Indianapolis, connecting its 18 member schools with classrooms that include mentorship and encouragement via virtual meetings.

Another one of its many initiatives are structured conversations with administrators, coaches, athletes and employees to gather feedback and to inform future strategies. Examples include conducting student-athlete experience exit surveys and hosting standing committees, commissions and leadership councils to discuss progress, share feedback and assess strategic alignment. The conference also hosts numerous inclusive programs such as United as One, the B1G Fellows Program, the Student-Athlete Issues Commission, The Women's Volleyball Mentorship Program and the CBS Sports Ambassador Program & Sports Journalism Initiative. The conference also promotes several awards programs, which includes the Jackie Robinson Community & Impact Award to recognize student-athletes who demonstrate leadership, service and volunteerism.

WATCH: Indiana honorees receive their Jackie Robinson Award jackets

WATCH: Purdue's Devin Mockobee dons his jacket while being recognized at Boilermakers basketball game

Along with the Big Ten, Saint Michael's College athletics department was recognized in Division II, and Occidental College's athletics department was the Division III honoree.

"This honor is an acknowledgment of NCAA member schools and conference offices that intentionally create spaces and opportunities for all student-athletes, coaches and administrators to feel seen, heard and valued," said Felicia Martin, NCAA senior vice president of inclusion, education and community engagement. "It is important to recognize these outstanding recipients who diligently embrace a commitment to positively impact their athletic communities and make a significant difference for all humanity."

"Congratulations to this year's recipients," said Timothy Wise, MOAA president and assistant general manager at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. "The outstanding work by the winners showcases the commitment to providing opportunities in the ever-changing landscape and making a significant impact on their campus and in conference communities. Each of the winners is worthy of this honor, and MOAA looks forward to partnering with the NCAA to recognize these achievements at the 2026 MOAA Symposium in June."

###

Discover, Big Ten Present Custom Jackets To Jackie Robinson Award Honorees

Unknown — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT

ROSEMONT, Ill. – Presenting sponsor Discover will deliver custom letterwinner jackets to all 36 institutional winners of the 2025-26 Jackie Robinson Community & Impact Award, the Big Ten announced Wednesday. Each university’s male and female honoree will receive a customized, one-of-one gift featuring unique school elements and visuals.

The first two custom jackets were presented in December at the Discover Big Ten Football Championship Game to 2025 national winners Dillon Fontus, from Maryland football, and Iowa wrestler Nanea Estrella.

Both of last year’s winners, and Sonya Pankey Robinson (Jackie Robinson’s granddaughter), attended the game as guests of Discover, seeing Indiana claim the title at Lucas Oil Stadium on their way to a perfect 16-0 campaign and CFP National Championship. The 2026 national winners will be announced later this spring from the cohort of 36 campus recipients.

In November, the Big Ten Conference announced the 36 student-athletes selected as institutional winners of the 2025-26 Jackie Robinson Community & Impact Award presented by Discover. Now in its second year, the honor was created to recognize Big Ten student-athletes who strive to have a positive impact within their community in addition to excellence in competition.

Institution	Honoree	Sport
Illinois	TJ Griffin	Football
Illinois	Tali Joelson	Gymnastics
Indiana	Tyler Lillard	Wrestling
Indiana	Kristina Vincic	Track & Field
Iowa	Ava Bayless	Wrestling
Iowa	Will Ryan	Cross Country \| Track & Field
Maryland	Joey Schneck	Wrestling
Maryland	Madeline Komoroski	Gymnastics
Michigan	Kevin Kearns	Lacrosse
Michigan	Zoë Bormet	Field Hockey
Michigan State	Maddie Lawlor	Field Hockey
Michigan State	Jalen Thompson	Football
Minnesota	Charlie Sutherland	Baseball
Minnesota	Niamya (Nia) Holloway	Basketball
Nebraska	Katelyn Caneda	Softball
Nebraska	Michael Booker III	Football
Northwestern	Kansas Robinson	Softball
Northwestern	Najee Story	Football
Ohio State	Caleb Downs	Football
Ohio State	Makenna Webster	Ice Hockey \| Field Hockey
Oregon	Matt Bedford	Football
Oregon	Blessyn McMorris	Acrobatics & Tumbling
Penn State	Nick Dawkins	Football
Penn State	Elise DeWan	Field Hockey
Purdue	Devin Mockobee	Football
Purdue	Emma Bailey	Softball
Rutgers	Jude Essuman	Soccer
Rutgers	Caitlin Collins	Lacrosse
UCLA	Jordan Robinson	Track & Field
UCLA	Karson Gordon	Football \| Track & Field
USC	Maribel Flores	Soccer
USC	Robert Gref	Diving
Washington	Franck Kepnang	Basketball
Washington	Rhonda Newton	Track & Field
Wisconsin	Rico Hallman	Football
Wisconsin	Erin Connolly	Soccer

In recognition of their achievement and as an expression of the conference’s appreciation, each of the 36 campus winners will receive a medal bearing the likeness of Jackie Robinson and the logo of the Big Ten Conference in addition to their custom jacket.

WATCH: Indiana honorees receive their Jackie Robinson Award jackets

WATCH: Purdue's Devin Mockobee dons his jacket while being honored at Boilermakers basketball game

WATCH: Big Ten Community & Impact makes a difference

Jackie Robinson was a standout student-athlete at UCLA, where he was the school’s first four-sport letter winner, excelling in football, basketball, track and field, and baseball. Beyond his athletic prowess, he continues to be recognized and honored for his contributions off the field: integrating Major League Baseball and his lifelong commitment to social justice. He is the embodiment of the Big Ten's mission to develop strong student leaders, and this program honors his legacy and core values of courage, determination, teamwork, persistence, integrity, citizenship, justice, commitment, and excellence. As Jackie famously said, “A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.”

“It is our privilege and great honor to bestow this award in Jackie’s name upon these deserving Big Ten student-athletes and to express our appreciation for the support of the Jackie Robinson Foundation,” said Big Ten Conference Commissioner Tony Petitti.

Honorees were selected based on the following criteria:

Demonstrated Impact: Significant and tangible contributions to community projects or causes, including measurable outcomes or positive changes resulting from their involvement.
Collaboration and Teamwork: Ability to work effectively with others, including peers, organizations, and community members, to achieve common goals and enhance community impact.
Consistency and Commitment: Ongoing and consistent participation in community service activities over an extended period of time.
Visibility and Advocacy: Efforts to raise awareness and advocate for important groups or causes, leveraging their platform to promote positive change and engage others.

"The Big Ten Jackie Robinson Community & Impact Award celebrates Jackie’s legacy of excellence in community service,” said Sonya Pankey Robinson, Jackie’s first grandchild as well as Director and board member of the Jackie Robinson Foundation. "We are proud to recognize 36 outstanding men and women for the incredible impact they make in their community."

"Our student-athletes make significant contributions through competition, academics, and community impact,” said Big Ten Senior Vice President, Community & Impact, Omar Brown. “This award allows the Big Ten to recognize these efforts in improving communities, just as we do with their other athletic and academic achievements. Jackie Robinson embodies this award and our goal to honor student-athletes who positively affect others."

The Big Ten Conference’s commitment to athletics, academics and service goes back to the conference’s founding. Coupling the academic goals set forth by leaders of the charter members of the conference with their steadfast commitment to athletics, the conference instituted the Big Ten Medal of Honor in 1915, the first award to demonstrate support for the educational emphasis placed on intercollegiate athletics. It is awarded annually by each member institution to one male and one female student of the graduating class who has attained the greatest proficiency in scholarship and athletics.

New “We Are Here” spot highlights student success, economic impact

Unknown — Thu, 19 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT

ROSEMONT, Ill. – Big Ten universities’ leading role in educating students and driving economic prosperity is featured the latest edition in the “We Are Here” series of :30 ads .

The new ad began airing during Big Ten basketball games and other winter sports in January. Students and alumni take center stage, sharing with viewers what their lives look like and what they have been able to accomplish thanks to their Big Ten university education. Seen on campuses and in communities nationwide, their experiences are living proof of the world-class educational opportunities they received, from learning alongside Nobel Prize–winning faculty to participating in internships and undergraduate research. The spot also highlights the universities’ broader impact through innovation, job creation and service.

Together, the 18 members of the Big Ten Conference are educating more than 810,000 students, preparing them for successful lives and careers. The Big Ten’s collective graduation rate is more than 20 points above the national average and the universities have more than 9.2 million living alumni.

The first ad in the “We Are Here” series began airing last fall and has generated more than 250 million impressions across Big Ten broadcasts to date, including during the College Football Playoff National Championship won by Indiana University. It focused on how Big Ten universities make America healthier, safer and more prosperous through everything from discovering new medical treatments to developing healthier foods to driving economic growth.

“The success of our students is our first priority, and Big Ten universities lead the nation in providing access to an excellent and valuable college education. And after graduation, our students go on to join the more than 9 million alumni who are making a difference in communities around the nation and world,” said University of Maryland President Darryll J. Pines, who chairs the Big Ten's Council of Presidents and Chancellors. “We’re proud to be part of a conference that shares a commitment to academic and athletic excellence, and that showcases both on a daily basis.”

"Big Ten universities are committed to wide-ranging achievement, from athletics to research to public service,” said Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti. “As millions of fans tune in to root for their favorite team, we have an opportunity to illustrate the countless ways our member institutions and alumni make an impact in their communities and around the world.”

The ad will air on linear and digital platforms during sporting events featuring Big Ten universities, utilizing airtime allocated to the Conference as part of its media agreements, including the Big Ten Network (BTN). This new initiative builds on other Conference efforts, including research vignettes highlighting the impact of university research that air during select BTN sporting event broadcasts.

As with the first ad, the second spot was developed by a creative team made up of staff from Big Ten member universities under the auspices of the Big Ten Academic Alliance. It is the second in a planned series of three ads, which over the course of the series will feature footage from all 18 universities.

About Big Ten Academic Alliance

The Big Ten Academic Alliance is the nation’s preeminent model for effective collaboration among research universities. For more than half a century, these world-class institutions have advanced their academic missions, generated unique opportunities for students and faculty, and served the common good by sharing expertise, leveraging campus resources, and collaborating on innovative programs. Governed and funded by the Provosts of the member universities, Big Ten Academic Alliance programs and initiatives are coordinated by a staff from its Champaign, Illinois headquarters.

About Big Ten Conference

The Big Ten Conference is an association of world-class universities whose member institutions share a common mission of research, graduate, professional and undergraduate teaching and public service. Founded in 1896, the Big Ten has sustained a comprehensive set of shared practices and policies that enforce the priority of academics in the lives of students competing in intercollegiate athletics and emphasize the values of integrity, fairness and competitiveness. The Big Ten Conference sponsors 28 official sports, 14 for men and 14 for women, and the broad-based programs of the 18 Big Ten institutions provide direct financial support for more than 14,000 student-athletes. For more information, visit www.bigten.org .

Media Contacts:

Paul Kennedy, Big Ten Conference, pkennedy@bigten.org

Jack Martin, University of Washington, jacktm@uw.edu

Big Ten Member Universities:

· Indiana University

· Michigan State University

· Northwestern University

· The Ohio State University

· Pennsylvania State University

· Purdue University

· Rutgers University-New Brunswick

· University of California Los Angeles

· University of Illinois

· University of Iowa

· University of Maryland

· University of Michigan

· University of Minnesota

· University of Nebraska-Lincoln

· University of Oregon

· University of Southern California

· University of Washington

· University of Wisconsin-Madison

Big Ten Conference Student-Athlete Issues Commission Calls for Limitations or Ban of Individual Prop Betting on College Athletics

Unknown — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT

ROSEMONT, Ill. — [February, 10, 2026] — The Big Ten Conference Student-Athlete Issues Commission (SAIC) today sent a letter to NCAA President Charlie Baker urging the NCAA to continue pushing for limitations or the outright elimination of proposition (“prop”) betting involving individual student-athletes competing in college athletics. The letter reinforces the Big Ten Conference’s unwavering commitment to protecting the well-being and safety of student-athletes across all 18 Big Ten campuses, and the integrity of intercollegiate athletics.

“The Big Ten Conference is proud to support our student-athletes in calling for the restriction or elimination of individual proposition wagers on college athletics,” said Big Ten Conference Commissioner Tony Petitti. "The Big Ten Conference appreciates the NCAA’s effort to eliminate these wagers and will continue to assist student-athletes as they deal with the challenges that result from proposition bets in college sports.”

President Baker recently sent letters to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and to State Gambling Commissions calling for amended state laws and regulations to better-protect student-athletes.

The letter from the Big Ten Conference SAIC outlines the growing concerns around the rise of individual performance prop wagering in college sports, including:

Increased harassment student-athletes experience because of wagers on individual-performance proposition wagers
Negative impact individual-performance proposition betting has on student-athletes’ mental health
Accusations of impropriety, even when unfounded, damage the student-athlete experience
Potentially jeopardizing the integrity of athletic competition

“While we understand that sports betting is becoming increasingly more common across the country and allows for states to generate increased tax revenue, prop betting represents unique risks at the college level,” the Big Ten Conference Student-Athlete Issues Commission wrote. “We believe protecting student-athletes must be a priority. Limiting or eliminating prop betting on college athletics would be a meaningful step toward reducing harassment, protecting mental well-being, and preserving the integrity of college competition.”

The Big Ten Conference SAIC was founded in 1994. SAIC members take an active role in monthly meetings discussing the issues most important to Big Ten Conference student-athletes and highlighting ongoing initiatives on their respective campuses. SAIC executive leadership members also represent Big Ten student-athletes in front of the Conference’s Joint Group council and represent the Big Ten Conference on the NCAA’s Division I Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, where they review NCAA activities, proposed legislation and offer feedback on behalf of the Big Ten’s student-athletes. Student-athletes are nominated by their institution and appointed by the Conference’s Joint Group Executive Committee to serve on the commission for one academic year.

The Big Ten Conference SAIC members signing the letter include:

Callin Hake, SAIC Chair, University of Nebraska Women’s Basketball
Mia Rogan, SAIC Internal Vice Chair, Women’s Cross Country & Track, Michigan State University
Michael Long, SAIC External Vice Chair, Men’s Swim & Dive, University of Wisconsin
Nya Robinson, SAIC Secretary, Women’s Swim & Dive, Penn State University
Samuel Edwards, NCAA Board of Directors, Men’s Football, Michigan State University
Abigail Lynch, NCAA Division I Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, Women’s Soccer & Track, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Demetrious Allen, Men’s Football, Rutgers University
Javiera Baeza, Women’s Field Hockey, Indiana University
Ava Bayless, Women’s Wrestling, University of Iowa
Josh Eernisse, Men’s Ice Hockey, University of Michigan
Taji Flynn, Men’s Lacrosse, The Ohio State University
Jordan Hall, Men’s Football, Michigan State University
Tali Joelson, Women’s Gymnastics, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Franck Kepnang, Men’s Basketball, University of Washington
Nuala Macfarlane, Women’s Rowing, University of Minnesota
Ava Morales, Women’s Soccer, University of Maryland
Myranda Quinton, Women’s Golf, Penn State University
Kansas Robinson, Women’s Softball, Northwestern University
James Rowley, Men’s Wrestling, Purdue University
Jaidin Russell, Men’s Volleyball, University of California, Los Angeles
Russell Soohoo, Men’s Tennis, University of Oregon
Madison Whyte, Women’s Track & Field, University of Southern Californi

Badgers to Play in 2026 AVCA First Serve

Wisconsin Athletics — Fri, 16 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Jackson, Reilly Take Home AVCA Positional Awards

Nebraska Athletics — Fri, 19 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Colyer named AVCA Outside Hitter of the Year

Wisconsin Athletics — Fri, 19 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Jewell Named AVCA National Assistant Coach of the Year

Purdue Athletics — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Twelve From Big Ten Volleyball Named AVCA All-Americans

Unknown — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMT

ROSEMONT, Ill. - Twelve Big Ten volleyball student-athletes have been selected as All-Americans by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA), announced on Wednesday.

Six Big Ten institutions were represented among the 12 honorees, with three additional schools featured on the honorable mention list.

Nebraska had four players listed on the first three teams, while Purdue had three players earn first-, second- or third-team All-American status.

Nebraska’s Harper Murray and Bergen Reilly, Penn State’s Kennedy Martin and Wisconsin’s Mimi Colyer earned their third All-America honors.

The complete list of Big Ten All-Americans can be found below.

2025 AVCA All-Americans

First Team
Andi Jackson, Jr., MB, Nebraska
Harper Murray, Jr., OH, Nebraska
Bergen Reilly, Jr., S, Nebraska
Kennedy Martin, Jr., OPP, Penn State
Mimi Colyer, Sr., OH, Wisconsin

Second Team
Julia Hanson, Sr., OH, Minnesota
Rebekah Allick, Sr., MB, Nebraska
Taylor Anderson, Jr., S, Purdue
Kenna Wollard, Jr., OH, Purdue

Third Team
Alanah Clemente, Fr., OPP, Oregon
Grace Heaney, So., OPP, Purdue
Carter Booth, Sr., MB, Wisconsin

Honorable Mention
Teodora Krickovic, Fr., S, Indiana
Avry Tatum, Sr., OPP, Indiana
Allison Jacobs, Gr., OH, Michigan
Gillian Grimes, Sr., L, Penn State
London Wijay, R-So., OH, USC

Wisconsin Volleyball's NCAA Semifinal Showdown with Kentucky

Unknown — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMT

The stage is set in Kansas City. After a season defined by grit, growth, and marquee victories, Wisconsin Volleyball has punched its ticket to the NCAA Tournament Semifinal for the seventh time in program history and fifth time in the past seven seasons. The Badgers are playing their best volleyball of the year at the perfect moment, but a massive blue wall stands between them and the NCAA Championship match – the Kentucky Wildcats, a No. 1 seed, riding a 26-match winning streak.

Feel familiar? Flashback to the 2015 NCAA Men's Basketball Final Four, when an undefeated Kentucky team faced off against Wisconsin and the Badgers ended the Wildcats' perfect 38-0 season. Now, on the volleyball court, the stakes are just as high, the opponent just as formidable, and the opportunity for history is just as real.

Here is everything you need to know as the Badgers look to tame the Wildcats and advance to the NCAA title match.

Wisconsin's Regular Season: Getting Better and Better

Wisconsin's road to Kansas City was forged in fire. The Badgers are currently 28-4 overall and finished second in the Big Ten with a 17-3 conference record. Their four losses all came to ranked teams: then-No. 5 Texas, then-No. 19 Penn State, then-No. 25 USC, and the juggernaut No. 1 Nebraska.

But over the last month and a half, the Badgers have been nearly untouchable. They haven't dropped a match since Halloween, giving them a 13-match winning streak. During that stretch, they’ve dropped only four total sets. Wisconsin hasn't just been winning; it’s been dominating, and at the right time.

The resume speaks for itself. Wisconsin notched 11 wins over ranked opponents this season (including the tournament). The individual accolades followed the team's success, with Mimi Colyer, Carter Booth, and Charlie Fuerbringer all earning All-Big Ten First Team honors. Head coach Kelly Sheffield was named AVCA North Region Coach of the Year, while Colyer is a finalist for AVCA National Player of the Year.

Badger Dominance: The Road to the National Semifinal

2025 marks the Badgers’ fifth national semifinal appearance in seven seasons and sixth under head coach Kelly Sheffield. Take a look at how they got here.

Regional Final vs. No. 1 seed Texas

In the Regional Final, Wisconsin got redemption at No. 1 seed Texas . The Longhorns were responsible for one of Wisconsin's few regular-season losses, but the NCAA Regional Final told a different story. Wisconsin dismantled the four-time national champs in four sets to advance. It was a complete team effort: Mimi Colyer (23 kills), Una Vajagic (15 kills), and Carter Booth (11 kills) all surpassed double digit kills, while setter Charlie Fuerbringer dished out 57 assists as the Badgers hit .294. It was Wisconsin’s first win over Texas in Austin since 2016, and it couldn't have come at a better time.

"I'm excited to still be playing with these guys," said head coach Kelly Sheffield after the win. "I love how far this team has gone. They have grown so incredibly much since the beginning of this season. I know nobody wants this thing to end."

Regional Semifinal vs. No. 2 seed Stanford

Before toppling Texas, the Badgers made history in the regional semifinal, taking down No. 2 seed Stanford . It was the first time in program history Wisconsin defeated the Cardinal, and its offense did it in style, hitting a scorching .420 as a team—a program record for a four-set match.

That match also saw Mimi Colyer etch her name in the record books, joining the elite 2,000 career kill club behind a masterful 27-kill performance and breaking Sarah Franklin’s school record for kills in a season.

"I want to get in these big games and be competitive and play with a group of girls that want to win and need to win," Colyer said. "I think our team is doing just that, I think we're gelling at the right time, and we're gaining so much momentum."

First Two Rounds

Earlier in the tournament, the Badgers swept North Carolina in the second round, showcasing a suffocating defense where three players recorded double-figure digs. They also made short work of Eastern Illinois .

And Now...

As Coach Sheffield noted, the team has found a "collective confidence." They aren't just a collection of talent; they are a cohesive unit peaking at exactly the right moment.

Scouting Report: The Kentucky Juggernaut

To advance to Sunday, Wisconsin must get past another No. 1 seed and one of the hottest teams in the country. Kentucky hasn't tasted defeat since September. The Wildcats are perfect in their last 26 matches, including a spotless 15-0 run through the SEC regular season and tournament.

The Wildcats are led by a two-headed offensive monster: Eva Hudson and Brooklyn DeLeye. The duo is capable of taking over matches. Against UCLA in the tournament’s second round, they combined for a staggering 57 kills. As head coach Craig Skinner put it, they "carry the offensive load" and bail the team out of tough situations.

But don't sleep on their defense. Kentucky's back row is relentless, anchored by libero Molly Tuozzo, who recently led the Cats to a three-set school record 66 digs against Wofford in the first round. This is a program with a winning pedigree—SEC Champions for nine consecutive seasons—and serious resilience. They proved that in the SEC Tournament title game, pulling off a reverse sweep against Texas to take the crown.

Their path to the Final Four has been dominant: sweeps over Wofford, Cal Poly, and No. 3 seed Creighton, with their only dropped set coming against No. 8 seed UCLA.

A Tight Matchup on the Books

On paper, this is a clash of statistical titans. Both programs are playing some of the best team volleyball in the nation.

The Quarterbacks

The setting battle features two of the best. Wisconsin's Charlie Fuerbringer leads the nation with 12.32 assists per set, while her Kentucky counterpart, Kassie O'Brien, isn't far behind. She's seventh nationally with 11.02 assists per set. Because of their distribution, Wisconsin (first, 14.26) and Kentucky (second, 13.93) are the top two teams in the country in assists per set.

The Offenses

Expect fireworks. These two teams lead the nation in kills per set. Wisconsin sits at No. 1 (15.16), while Kentucky is right on its heels at No. 2 (14.95). However, the Badgers hold the edge in efficiency, hitting .325 (second nationally) compared to Kentucky's .295 (ninth).

The Stars

The match will feature two of the four AVCA Player of the Year finalists. Unanimous All-Big Ten First Team selection Mimi Colyer enters ranked third nationally with 5.39 kills per set, while Kentucky's Eva Hudson – the SEC Player of the Year – averages 4.54 per set.

The Past

History is on the Badgers' side in recent meetings—Wisconsin has won the last three matches against Kentucky. The powerhouse squads have never faced off in the postseason.

Keys to Victory: How Wisconsin Wins

So, how does Wisconsin pull off the upset and end Kentucky's streak?

Win the Net Battle

This match will likely come down to Wisconsin's elite offense trying to crack Kentucky's scrappy defense. While Wisconsin hits a blistering .325 (compared to UK's .295), Kentucky holds opponents to just .180 hitting and scoops up nearly 15 digs per set.

The Badgers must stay patient and aggressive. They're elite at penetrating the opponent's block, having been stopped only 189.5 times all season. (In comparison, Kentucky has been blocked 241.5 times). If Colyer, Booth, and the Badgers can get through the block more than Hudson and DeLeye, the momentum shifts red.

Feed the Hot Hands

Setter Charlie Fuerbringer needs to continue her masterclass in distribution. Coming off a career-high 61 assists against Stanford, she has the keys. Balancing feeds between Colyer (outside) and Booth (middle) will be crucial to keeping the Wildcats off-balance. Booth has been automatic lately, hitting over .500 with zero errors in four of the last five matches.

The X-Factor?

While Colyer and Booth grab headlines, keep an eye on Una Vajagic. Fuerbringer calls her "the most underrated player in the whole NCAA," and the stats back it up. Vajagic hit .444 with 13 kills in the win over Stanford. If Kentucky over-commits to stopping the big names, Vajagic could be the one to step up.

On, Wisconsin!

Kentucky may be a No. 1 seed, but Wisconsin Volleyball is playing with a dangerous mix of momentum, talent, and belief. Fuerbringer said it best: "There are no underdogs in this thing. Everyone is giving their best volleyball."

The Badgers conquered the Cardinal and tamed the Longhorns, and now they have the Wildcats in their sights.

Watch the Wisconsin-Kentucky NCAA Semifinal on Thursday at approximately 9 p.m. ET on ESPN (30 minutes following Pittsburgh vs. Texas A&M).

If Wisconsin wins on Thursday night, they will advance to the NCAA Championship to play the winner of No. 3 seed Texas A&M and No. 1 seed Pittsburgh on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC.

Want to know how everything shakes out? Click here .