NORFOLK, Va. --- Norfolk State volleyball head coach Kathy Bullock announced the Spartans' 2026 schedule on Wednesday morning, featuring 29 regular season matches and 11 home contests.
 
The Spartans open the season during the Quest for the Crown Tournament, co-hosted with Old Dominion, on Aug. 28-29. Norfolk State faces South Carolina Upstate on Aug. 28 before taking on Elon the following day.
 
"We love the opportunity to play at home to open the season," head coach Kathy Bullock said. "We have the best fans and we are very excited as a team."
 
Norfolk State opens a three-match homestand on Sept. 1 against cross-town rival Old Dominion. The Spartans will also host Hampton in the annual "Battle of the Bay" on Sept. 2 before welcoming in-state opponent William & Mary on Sept. 8.
 
NSU travels to the UNCW Tournament on Sept. 11-12, facing UNCW, Harvard, and UNC Asheville over the two-day event. Norfolk State then returns home to face Bowie State on Sept. 15 before traveling to the Radford Tournament on Sept. 18-19, featuring matchups against Bellarmine, Radford, and UT Chattanooga.
 
"The non-conference schedule was created to allow us the opportunity to see what we need to work on early and what adjustments need to be made before heading into conference play," Bullock said.
 
Conference play begins Sept. 25 when Norfolk State hosts Morgan State, followed by Coppin State on Sept. 27. NSU closes nonconference competition at Hampton on Sept. 30 before returning to Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) play against UMES on Oct. 2 and at Delaware State on Oct. 4.
 
The Spartans play three straight home matches against North Carolina Central on Oct. 8, South Carolina State on Oct. 9, and Howard on Oct. 15. Norfolk State closes October with three consecutive road matches at Coppin State on Oct. 18, at Morgan State on Oct. 23, and at UMES on Oct. 30.
 
NSU opens November at home against Delaware State on Nov. 1 before closing the regular season with three straight road matches at South Carolina State on Nov. 6, at North Carolina Central on Nov. 8, and at Howard on Nov. 13.
 
The 2026 MEAC Volleyball Tournament will take place Nov. 20-22 in Baltimore, Md., hosted by Coppin State.
 
"I believe our biggest challenges this season will be how fast we can get the team chemistry going," Bullock said. "We are excited and prepared for what is to come this upcoming season."
 
Norfolk State finished the 2025 season with a 5-24 overall record and a 3-11 mark in MEAC play, placing seventh in the conference standings. Gabrielle Gilbert, a three-time All-MEAC First Team selection, returns for her senior season alongside 10 returning Spartans. The 2026 roster also includes seven newcomers.
 
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