RICHMOND, Va. – Virginia Union University Head Volleyball Coach Anetra Sims has announced the Panthers' 2026 volleyball schedule, a 21-match slate that features regional non-conference competition and a challenging Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) schedule.

Virginia Union, the defending Co-Champions of the CIAA Northern Division, will open the season on Sept. 1 with a road contest against the University of Mount Olive in Mount Olive, N.C. The Panthers will then travel to Fort Valley, Ga., to compete in the Black College Excellence Classic.  VUU will play four matches in three days, facing Benedict College, Clinton College, Savannah State University, and Albany State University from Sept. 4-6.

The Panthers return to the road on Sept. 12 to face Glenville State University before taking on Morgan State University in Baltimore, Md., on Sept. 15.

Virginia Union will make its home debut on Sept. 17 when the Panthers host Clinton College at Barco-Stevens Hall. The contest marks the first of six home matches during the regular season.

CIAA competition begins on Sept. 21 at Elizabeth City State University. The Panthers will also face conference opponents Shaw University, Bowie State University, Lincoln University (Pa.), Winston-Salem State University, and Virginia State University throughout the season.

Virginia Union's home conference schedule includes matches against Shaw (Sept. 24), Virginia State (Oct. 22), Bowie State (Oct. 26), Lincoln (Pa.) (Oct. 29), and Elizabeth City State (Nov. 5).

"A new year means new beginnings, but our standard remains the same: relentless effort, complete readiness, and the tenacity to overcome every challenge that stands in our way," said VUU Head Volleyball Coach Anetra Sims.

The Panthers will conclude the regular season on Nov. 5 against Elizabeth City State before competing in the CIAA Volleyball Tournament beginning Nov. 9.

2026 Virginia Union Volleyball Schedule
September

• Sept. 1 – at Mount Olive, 6 p.m.
• Sept. 4 – vs. Benedict College (Fort Valley, Ga.), 11 a.m.
• Sept. 5 – vs. Clinton College (Fort Valley, Ga.), 9 a.m.
• Sept. 5 – vs. Savannah State (Fort Valley, Ga.), 1 p.m.
• Sept. 6 – vs. Albany State (Fort Valley, Ga.), 9 a.m.
• Sept. 12 – at Glenville State, TBD
• Sept. 15 – at Morgan State, 6 p.m.
• Sept. 17 – vs. Clinton College, 6 p.m.
• Sept. 21 – at Elizabeth City State, 6 p.m.
• Sept. 24 – vs. Shaw, 6 p.m.
• Sept. 28 – at Bowie State, 6 p.m.

October

• Oct. 2 – at Winston-Salem State, TBD
• Oct. 8 – at Lincoln (Pa.), 6 p.m.
• Oct. 12 – at Shaw, 6 p.m.
• Oct. 16 – at Virginia State, TBD
• Oct. 22 – vs. Virginia State, 6 p.m.
• Oct. 26 – vs. Bowie State, 6 p.m.
• Oct. 29 – vs. Lincoln (Pa.), 6 p.m.

November

• Nov. 2 – at Virginia State, 6 p.m.
• Nov. 5 – vs. Elizabeth City State, 6 p.m.
• Nov. 9 – CIAA Volleyball Tournament

The Panthers will look to continue the program's growth under Sims as they compete for a berth in the CIAA Volleyball Tournament and challenge for conference honors during the 2026 season.