COLUMBUS, Ind. – The IU Columbus Volleyball program has officially released its 2026 season schedule, unveiling a competitive slate that features a balanced mix of exhibition play, tournament action, and River States Conference matchups as the Crimson Pride prepare for the upcoming campaign.
Coming off the most successful season in program history, IU Columbus enters 2026 with strong momentum after finishing 20-9 overall and earning a berth in the River States Conference Tournament. The breakthrough season marked a significant step forward for the Crimson Pride and set a new benchmark for the program moving forward.
The season opens with an exhibition road matchup at Vincennes University on August 12, followed by tournament play at Huntington University and Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College before the Crimson Pride begin regular season competition on August 18 at Bethel University.
IU Columbus will host its first home appearance on September 1 against Hanover College in an exhibition matchup, followed by a featured home contest on September 2 against Franklin College, which will also serve as Teacher Appreciation Night at NexusPark.
Conference play and key regional matchups highlight the heart of the schedule, including home dates against Brescia University, IU Southeast, Ohio Christian University, IU East, Midway University, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, and IU Kokomo. The Crimson Pride will also travel for several critical road contests, including Campbellsville University, Rio Grande, WVU Tech, and IU Southeast.
The team's River States Conference stretch is spread throughout October, setting the stage for a competitive late-season push. Senior Day will be celebrated on October 17 when IU Columbus hosts Midway University at home.
The regular season concludes with a pair of key conference matchups: a home contest against IU Kokomo on October 24 which will serve as Dig Pink Night in support Breast Cancer Awareness at NexusPark, followed by the final road game of the season at IU Southeast on November 7.
Head Coach Jose Olivo and the Crimson Pride will look to leverage a challenging non-conference schedule and a strong home lineup to build momentum heading into postseason play.
2026 IU Columbus Volleyball Schedule
- Aug. 12 at Vincennes University^
- Aug. 14 at Huntington University Tournament
- Aug. 18 at Bethel University
- Aug. 28 at SMWC Tournament
- Sept. 1 vs Hanover College^
- Sept. 2 vs Franklin College (Teacher Appreciation) – (NexusPark)
- Sept. 8 at Boyce College
- Sept. 12 at Kentucky Christian University*
- Sept. 19 vs Brescia University*
- Sept. 23 at Campbellsville University
- Sept. 26 vs IU Southeast* – (NexusPark)
- Oct. 2 at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College*
- Oct. 3 at IU Kokomo*
- Oct. 6 vs Ohio Christian University
- Oct. 9 at University of Rio Grande*
- Oct. 10 at WVU Tech*
- Oct. 16 vs IU East*
- Oct. 17 vs Midway University* (Senior Day)
- Oct. 23 vs Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College*
- Oct. 24 vs IU Kokomo* (Dig Pink: Breast Cancer Awareness) (NexusPark)
- Oct. 31 at Brescia University*
- Nov. 7 at IU Southeast*
*: RSC Conference Play
^: Exhibition
