ANDERSON, S.C. -- The Anderson University volleyball program has announced their schedule ahead of the 2026 season that opens in late August. The Trojans are returning the majority of their roster that took the team to their second-ever appearance in the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament in 2025.

"We have an experienced team returning with a lot of matches under their belt," head coach Todd Hay said. "They have set some lofty goals for themselves and I believe they are capable of achieving them."

"Our incoming freshmen will be able to add much needed depth in a variety of positions and push our practices to the next level. I know the team chemistry will be amazing, which has been a huge part of our success in the past."

Hay enters his 10th season with the Trojans and will be assisted by Chad Odom and Alayna Johnson.

The schedule will challenge the Trojans more than any of the returners have experienced in their past seasons in an effort to advance farther in the NCAA Tournament than ever before. Anderson's preseason will feature four exhibitions before opening play with tournaments through the first two weekends. 

"We are very excited to take on the challenge of the 2026 schedule," Hay said. "From an RPI standpoint, this will be the toughest season we have faced as a program in the last ten years, probably more. We will open in West Virginia with two NCAA Tournament teams before heading out to Denver for The Premier, hosted by Regis University and defending NCAA National Champion Metro State."

The West Virginia trip will see the Trojans battle Lees-McRae College and Fairmont State University on Friday, August 28 followed by Bowie State University and East Stroudsburg University on Saturday, August 29.

Anderson will take on Ferris State University and West Texas A&M in the first day of play at The Premier on September 4. The rest of their tournament opponents are TBA.

"I believe nine of the 12 teams at The Premier finished inside the Top 25 so we will know very early on where our program truly stands at a national level. The team is extremely excited to head west and play some of the best teams Division II has to offer."

The Trojans get right into South Atlantic Conference play - with no nonconference opponents for the remainder of the season - upon returning from Colorado, with their home opener set for Friday, September 11 when they host Carson-Newman at 6 p.m. They are set to host Lincoln Memorial the next day at 3 p.m.

The Trojans will head to Newberry College for their first midweek competition on Tuesday, September 15 before another home weekend when they host Tusculum and Mars Hill on Friday, September 18 and Saturday, September 19. 

Anderson will have a long road stretch midseason with trips to Wingate, Catawba, Lenoir-Rhyne, Carson-Newman and Lincoln Memorial through the end of the September and early October. 

They will return home on Friday, October 9 to host Emory & Henry before hosting UVA Wise on Saturday, October 10.

The homestretch will continue as they host Lenoir-Rhyne, Coker, Wingate and Newberry through mid-October.

Anderson will head to Tuculum and Coker on Friday, October 23 and Tuesday, October 27 before finishing the month at home when they host Catawba College on Friday, October 30.

The Trojans will then finish the regular season on the road with Mars Hill, Emory & Henry, and UVA Wise ushering them into postseason play.

"It is an interesting conference schedule for us with long stretches at home and then long stretches away," Hay said. "However, by returning to a true round-robin format, you get a true champion and all the teams play an equal schedule. It's a long season but I feel like it's the best way to do it. We look forward to seeing all our fans in Abney this fall."