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Big Ten2026 season

Penn State Volleyball Schedule 2026

Record: 12-4 30 listed matches

Latest result: W 3-0 vs Washington · Oct 11 All results
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Penn State Volleyball Schedule 2026

Scores checked Oct 12, 2026 · Times as listed

13 upcoming matches · Times shown as listed

Penn State at Home

4
  • Oct
    23
    Oregon logo

    Oregon

    7:00 PM ET (TV: B1G+) · Rec Hall, University Park, Pa.
  • Oct
    29
    Ohio State logo

    Ohio State

    7:00 PM ET (TV: BTN) · Rec Hall, University Park, Pa.
  • Oct
    31
    Purdue logo

    Purdue

    TBA (TV: B1G+) · Rec Hall, University Park, Pa.
  • Nov
    17
    Rutgers logo

    Rutgers

    7:00 PM ET (TV: B1G+) · Rec Hall, University Park, Pa.

Away & Neutral

9
  • Oct
    16
    UCLA logo

    UCLA

    10:00 PM ET (TV: B1G+) · Pauley Pavilion, Los Angeles, Calif.
  • Oct
    17
    Southern California logo

    Southern California

    7:00 PM EDT (TV: BTN) · Galen Center, Los Angeles, Calif.
  • Oct
    25
    Indiana logo

    Indiana

    3:00 PM ET (TV: FS1) · Wilkinson Hall, Bloomington, Ind.
  • Nov
    6
    Minnesota logo

    Minnesota

    7:00 PM ET (TV: B1G+) · Maturi Pavilion, Minneapolis, Minn.
  • Nov
    8
    Wisconsin logo

    Wisconsin

    TBA (TV: FS1) · UW Field House, Madison, Wis.
  • Nov
    11
    Maryland logo

    Maryland

    7:00 PM ET (TV: B1G+) · XFINITY Center, College Park, Md.
  • Nov
    14
    Illinois logo

    Illinois

    8:00 PM ET (TV: B1G+) · Huff Hall, Champaign, Ill.
  • Nov
    20
    Big Ten Tournament logo

    Big Ten Tournament

    TBA · Fishers Event Center, Fishers, Ind.
  • Nov
    25
    Big Ten Tournament logo

    Big Ten Tournament

    TBA · Fishers Event Center, Fishers, Ind.

This week in Big Ten

Next opponents

  • UCLA
    Oct 16 · 10:00 PM ET (TV: B1G+)
  • Southern California
    Oct 17 · 7:00 PM EDT (TV: BTN)
  • Oregon
    Oct 23 · 7:00 PM ET (TV: B1G+)

Explore Big Ten →

Season snapshot

Record:
12-4
Last result:
W 3-0 vs Washington · Sun, Oct 11
Next match:
at UCLA · Fri, Oct 16 · 10:00 PM ET (TV: B1G+)
Remaining ranked opponents:
6
Schedule sites:
15 home · 12 away · 3 neutral

Penn State Volleyball 2026: Season Outlook & Program Overview

Original analysis of the Penn State Nittany Lions program, coaching staff, and 2026 outlook.

2026 Season Outlook

The honest framing: this is a bounce-back year, not a title defense. Penn State won the 2024 national championship in Katie Schumacher-Cawley's third season, the first NCAA Division I women's volleyball title won by a female head coach. But 2025 was hard - setter Izzy Starck stepped away early and eventually transferred, the offense never found rhythm, and a team that started ranked No. 2 finished 19-13 with a second-round NCAA exit against Texas. Schumacher-Cawley responded by reloading through the portal.

Alexis Stucky, a redshirt senior setter from Florida, arrives with 1,062 assists last season and a preseason All-Big Ten nod before playing a match in Happy Valley. Whitney Lauenstein comes from Texas to solve the pin-hitting problem, and Ryla Jones crosses the state from Pitt to shore up the middle. Add the nation's No. 3 recruiting class and this is a substantially different roster. The constant is Kennedy Martin, the senior opposite who led the Big Ten in kills and kills per set in 2025 and set Penn State's rally-scoring-era records for kills, kills per set, points and points per set.

The question is whether Stucky and Martin click quickly.

Program History & Tradition

Penn State has won eight NCAA national championships - 1999, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2014 and 2024 - second all-time only to Stanford's nine. No other program has more than five. The 2007 to 2010 stretch produced four straight titles and the NCAA record of 109 consecutive match wins. Russ Rose coached the program from 1979 to 2021 and finished as the winningest coach in the sport's history.

The 2024 title carried its own weight: Penn State reverse-swept No. 2 overall seed Nebraska in the national semifinal, then beat Louisville in the final, with Schumacher-Cawley coaching through cancer treatment. She earned the 2025 Jimmy V Award for it. Home matches are at Rec Hall, opened in 1929 and the oldest continuously used major volleyball venue in the country.

Head Coach Spotlight

Katie Schumacher-Cawley is in her fifth season, named the third head coach in program history on January 10, 2022, succeeding Russ Rose. She won the 1999 national title as a Penn State player, then won the 2024 title as head coach, becoming the first woman to coach a Division I women's volleyball national champion while undergoing treatment for breast cancer. She is 103-32 at Penn State and under contract through 2030. Brian Toron is in his fifth season on staff and Megan Hodge Easy, part of the 2007 and 2008 championship teams, is in her fourth.

What to Watch in 2026

The Big Ten now plays 18 teams in a single round robin - every team once, 17 matches - followed by the conference's first postseason volleyball tournament. Nebraska visits Rec Hall on October 1 and the Purdue White Out on October 31 is the loudest date on the home calendar, with Dig Pink against Iowa on October 3 and Military Appreciation against Ohio State on October 29 also on the promotional slate. The Kentucky match at Wrigley Field is the non-conference showcase. Penn State placed two players on the 18-person preseason All-Big Ten team, one of only nine programs with any representation, and was picked third in the conference behind Nebraska and Wisconsin.

Penn State Volleyball 2026 Schedule Overview

Schedule and scores checked October 12, 2026 · Official source: gopsusports.com

Penn State opens the 2026 season as the reigning 2024 national champion looking to bounce back from a difficult 2025, when the Nittany Lions started ranked No. 2 and finished 19-13 with a second-round NCAA exit. Katie Schumacher-Cawley reloaded through the portal, adding setter Alexis Stucky from Florida, Whitney Lauenstein from Texas and Ryla Jones from Pitt, alongside the nation's No. 3 recruiting class. The Big Ten now plays 18 teams in a single round robin - every opponent once, 17 matches - followed by the conference's first postseason volleyball tournament. Penn State was picked third in the preseason coaches poll behind Nebraska and Wisconsin.

Home matches are at Rec Hall. Full dates, times, venues and broadcast assignments are below.

Penn State Volleyball 2026 Photo Gallery

Top Games to Watch

  • Nebraska at Penn State

    Thursday, October 1

    The preseason No. 1 at Rec Hall. Under the single round robin this is the only meeting, and it is the date the home season is built around.

  • Purdue at Penn State

    Saturday, October 31

    The White Out, against the Big Ten's preseason No. 4. The loudest date on the calendar and one of the first to sell out.

  • Penn State vs. Kentucky at Wrigley Field

    Non-conference

    The non-conference showcase, played at a Major League ballpark and carried as an SEC broadcast.

  • Iowa at Penn State

    Saturday, October 3

    Dig Pink night at Rec Hall, two days after Nebraska - the heaviest week of the home schedule.

  • Ohio State at Penn State

    Thursday, October 29

    Military Appreciation night, and the front half of a week that ends with the Purdue White Out.

Key Players to Know

Kennedy Martin

Opposite

Senior. Led the Big Ten in kills and kills per set in 2025 and set Penn State's rally-scoring-era records for kills (634), kills per set (5.42), points (728) and points per set (6.22). A unanimous preseason All-Big Ten pick and on the AVCA National Player of the Year watch list for the third time.

Alexis Stucky

Setter

Redshirt senior transfer from Florida with 1,062 assists last season, and a preseason All-Big Ten selection before playing a match in Happy Valley. Whether she and Martin click quickly is the season's central question.

Whitney Lauenstein

Outside Hitter

Redshirt senior transfer from Texas, brought in specifically to solve the pin-hitting problem that defined 2025.

Ryla Jones

Middle Blocker

Junior who crossed the state from Pitt to shore up the middle, part of a portal class that reshaped the roster.

Season Expectations

Penn State was picked third in the Big Ten preseason coaches poll behind Nebraska and Wisconsin, and placed two players on the 18-person preseason All-Big Ten team. The realistic ceiling is Big Ten title contention and a national seed; the floor is an at-large NCAA bid and a second-weekend exit. It comes down to the pin rotation: Kennedy Martin carried an outsized share of the offense last year because there was not a better option, and the whole point of this offseason was giving her one. If Lauenstein, Jurevicius and Sellman produce, this is a top-eight national seed.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many national championships has Penn State volleyball won?
Eight: 1999, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2014 and 2024 - second all-time only to Stanford's nine. The 2007 to 2010 stretch produced four straight titles and the NCAA record of 109 consecutive match wins.
Who coaches Penn State volleyball?
Katie Schumacher-Cawley, in her fifth season. She was named the third head coach in program history on January 10, 2022, succeeding Russ Rose, and won the 2024 national title in her third season - becoming the first woman to coach a Division I women's volleyball national champion, while undergoing treatment for breast cancer. She is 103-32 at Penn State and under contract through 2030.
Where can I buy Penn State volleyball tickets?
Tickets are sold through Penn State Athletics. The Nebraska, Purdue White Out and Iowa Dig Pink dates go first - plan on buying those the week they are released rather than the week of the match.

Related Pages

The Squad · Roster

Penn State Volleyball Roster 2026

Meet the 16 athletes on the Penn State Nittany Lions volleyball team

Opposite

1 players
18

Kennedy Martin

Senior · —
—

Setter

2 players
5

Alexis Stucky

R-Senior · —
(Florida)
3

Danielle Whitmire

Freshman · —
Prosper, TX

Outside Hitter

6 players
—

Whitney Lauenstein

R-Senior · —
(Texas)
—

Caroline Jurevicius

— · —
—
13

Emmi Sellman

Junior · —
(Ohio State)
27

Alexis Ewing

Sophomore · —
—
23

Hayley Burgdorf

Freshman · —
St. Charles, IL
42

Finley Krystkowiak

Freshman · —
San Diego, CA

Middle Blocker

3 players
7

Ryla Jones

Junior · —
(Pittsburgh)
8

Gabrielle Nichols

Sophomore · —
Winston-Salem, NC
1

Kendall Northern

Freshman · —
Cincinnati, OH

Libero

4 players
2

Ava Falduto

Junior · —
—
9

Lexi Gin

Sophomore · —
—
10

Ava Jurevicius

Sophomore · —
—
11

Jocelyn Nathan

Senior · —
—
Fan Guide · FAQ

Penn State Volleyball FAQ 2026

Everything you need to know about Penn State Nittany Lions volleyball

Q

Where can I find the full Penn State Volleyball Schedule 2026?

A

The complete 2026 Penn State volleyball schedule with every Nittany Lions match, opponent, date, time and location is listed on this page above. It is updated whenever the athletic department confirms new times, TV assignments or venue changes.

Q

When does the Penn State Nittany Lions volleyball season start in 2026?

A

Penn State opens the 2026 volleyball season on August 27 with the Spikes Under the Lights showcase at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The Nittany Lions then host the Penn State Invitational at Rec Hall August 28-30 against UConn, High Point and Hofstra.

Q

Where do the Nittany Lions play their home volleyball matches?

A

Penn State plays home volleyball matches at Rec Hall in University Park, Pennsylvania. The arena hosts every home date on the 2026 schedule, plus the August 28-30 Penn State Invitational. Doors typically open about an hour before first serve.

Q

How can I watch Penn State volleyball games in 2026?

A

Most 2026 Penn State matches air on Big Ten Network, BTN, FS1, Peacock or B1G+ depending on the game. The specific broadcast network for each match is confirmed shortly before first serve and shown in the schedule table above.

Q

Who are Penn State's biggest 2026 volleyball opponents?

A

The 2026 schedule features Big Ten rivalry matches against Nebraska, Wisconsin, Ohio State, Purdue, Minnesota and Michigan, plus marquee non-conference tests at the Spikes Under the Lights showcase, against Kentucky at Wrigley Field, and at Stanford/UCLA/USC.

Q

When does Penn State play Nebraska in 2026?

A

Penn State hosts Nebraska at Rec Hall on October 1 at 7:00 PM ET. It is one of the biggest home matches on the 2026 schedule.

Q

What is the Spikes Under the Lights showcase?

A

Spikes Under the Lights is a season-opening neutral-site event at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, featuring Penn State, Nebraska, Florida and SMU. Penn State plays on August 27 at 9:00 PM ET.

Q

What is the Penn State Invitational?

A

The Penn State Invitational is a home tournament at Rec Hall on August 28-30, featuring Penn State, UConn, High Point and Hofstra. Penn State plays UConn, High Point and Hofstra in round-robin matches.

Q

Does Penn State play at Wrigley Field in 2026?

A

Yes. Penn State faces Kentucky at Wrigley Field in Chicago on September 6 at 7:00 PM ET as part of the Big Ten/SEC Challenge. The Nittany Lions also play DePaul at McGrath-Phillips Arena in Chicago on September 7.

Q

When and where is the 2026 Big Ten Volleyball Tournament?

A

November 20-25 at the Fishers Event Center in Fishers, Indiana. Penn State will compete in the inaugural Big Ten Volleyball Tournament at the end of the regular season.

Leadership · Staff

Penn State Volleyball Coaches 2026

The leadership behind Penn State Nittany Lions volleyball success

Katie Schumacher-Cawley

Head Coach · 5 years with program

Named the third head coach in program history on January 10, 2022, succeeding Russ Rose. She won the 1999 national title as a Penn State player, then won the 2024 title as head coach, becoming the first woman to coach a Division I women's volleyball national champion while undergoing treatment for breast cancer. She is 103-32 at Penn State and under contract through 2030, and earned the 2025 Jimmy V Award.

Brian Toron

Assistant Coach · 5 years with program

In his fifth season on the Penn State staff.

Megan Hodge Easy

Assistant Coach · 4 years with program

In her fourth season on staff and a Penn State legend in her own right, part of the 2007 and 2008 championship teams.

Heritage · Legacy

Penn State Volleyball Program History

The Penn State Nittany Lions women's volleyball program is one of the most storied in NCAA history. With seven national championships (1999, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2014), Penn State has established itself as a dynasty in collegiate volleyball.

Under legendary head coach Russ Rose and now Katie Schumacher-Cawley, Penn State volleyball has produced countless All-Americans, Olympic athletes, and professional players. The program consistently ranks among the best nationally.

Penn State holds the NCAA record for consecutive matches won (109) and has created one of the most intimidating home-court advantages at Rec Hall. The tradition of excellence continues to attract top recruits from across the nation.

Where to Watch

Where to Watch Penn State Volleyball

Rec Hall

Address: 112 Rec Hall, University Park, PA 16802

Capacity: 6,200+ fans

Rec Hall, on Curtin Road in University Park, opened in 1929 and seats just under 7,000 for volleyball. It is the oldest continuously used major volleyball venue in the country and it plays like it: wooden bleachers sit right on top of the court, the ceiling is low enough to trap noise, and the student section has had ninety-odd years to work out exactly what to yell. Visiting coaches routinely call it the hardest place in the East to run an offense. Tickets are sold through Penn State Athletics, and the Nebraska, Purdue White Out and Iowa Dig Pink dates go first.

TV & Streaming

Networks: Big Ten Network, ESPN, FS1

Streaming: BTN+, ESPN+, Peacock

Big Ten matches are split across Big Ten Network, FS1, Peacock and B1G+. BTN carries the marquee windows - Nebraska, Purdue and the Wisconsin road match are the likeliest linear picks - while the rest stream on B1G+ or Peacock depending on the day. Non-conference road matches follow the host: the Kentucky match at Wrigley Field is an SEC broadcast, and DePaul streams through the Big East platform. BTN is available on most cable systems plus Fubo, YouTube TV, DirecTV Stream and Sling Blue with the Sports Extra add-on.

Networks are typically confirmed a few days before first serve.

How to watch college volleyball

Season Storylines

2026 Penn State Volleyball Season

Big Ten Schedule

Penn State faces the toughest conference in the nation, battling rivals like Nebraska, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Purdue, and Ohio State throughout the Big Ten season.

Home Games at Rec Hall

Experience the legendary atmosphere at Rec Hall where Penn State volleyball has built decades of tradition and an unmatched home court advantage.

NCAA Tournament Path

Follow Penn State's journey through the NCAA Tournament as the Nittany Lions compete for their eighth national championship.

Go Nittany Lions

We Are Penn State!

Join thousands of Nittany Lion fans supporting Penn State volleyball