a {
text-decoration: none;
color: #464feb;
}
tr th, tr td {
border: 1px solid #e6e6e6;
}
tr th {
background-color: #f5f5f5;
}
PULASKI, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee Southern volleyball program and head coach Maca Ruiz have announced the Firehawks' 2026 schedule, a challenging 33-match slate featuring three early-season tournaments, matchups against three nationally-ranked opponents, and the program's first conference contests against new Southern States Athletic Conference members Andrew College, Xavier University of Louisiana, and Wesleyan College.
The 2026 campaign marks Ruiz's second season leading the Firehawks after guiding UT Southern to a 15-12 record in 2025, securing the program's first winning season since 2021. The Firehawks return a decorated nucleus that includes SSAC Newcomer of the Year Ashlee Kraft, three All-SSAC performers, and two SSAC All-Freshman Team selections. Kraft earned First-Team All-SSAC honors after leading the conference with 3.39 kills per set, while Emma Beardsley and Amree Patterson garnered Second-Team All-SSAC recognition. Patterson paced the league in blocks per set and was joined on the SSAC All-Freshman Team by setter Jelleny Mallozzi, who finished second in the conference with 7.58 assists per set.
"We are excited about the opportunities this schedule presents," said Ruiz. "Our non-conference matches will challenge us from the beginning, while conference play continues to get stronger with the addition of new members. We're looking forward to competing in front of our fans and continuing to build on last year's success."
UT Southern opens the season on Aug. 21-22 at the Milligan Mountain Madness, hosted by Milligan University and Visit Kingsport in Kingsport, Tennessee. The Firehawks will face Spartanburg Methodist College, Carolina University, Ave Maria University, and Bryan College during the season's opening weekend.
Following a road trip to Bethel University on Aug. 25, UT Southern travels to Bowling Green, Kentucky, for the Vette City Classic, hosted by Lindsey Wilson College. The Firehawks will square off against Indiana University East, the University of Pikeville, Campbellsville University, and Union Commonwealth University.
The Firehawks' home opener is scheduled for Sept. 1 against Fisk University before traveling to Grand Rapids, Michigan, for the Aquinas/Cornerstone Invitational, hosted jointly by Aquinas College and Cornerstone University. The tournament features two nationally-ranked opponents, No. 12 Mount Vernon Nazarene University and No. 17 Aquinas College, as well as Olivet Nazarene University.
UT Southern closes its non-conference schedule with a road contest at Lindsey Wilson College on Sept. 9 before welcoming Bethel University to the Curry Athletic Complex on Sept. 10.
Conference play begins at home Sept. 18-19 as the Firehawks host Faulkner University and SSAC newcomer Andrew College. The match against Andrew will mark the first conference meeting between the two institutions.
The Firehawks open SSAC road competition with a Louisiana swing on Sept. 25-26, taking on fellow conference newcomer Xavier University of Louisiana before facing perennial conference contender Loyola University New Orleans.
Conference action continues throughout October with marquee matchups against some of the league's top programs. UT Southern will host No. 22 University of Mobile and William Carey University on Oct. 2-3 before traveling to face Life University and Point University the following weekend. The Firehawks return home Oct. 16-17 to host Brewton-Parker Christian University and another first-time conference opponent in Wesleyan College.
The final home conference weekend of the season will feature Loyola New Orleans and Xavier on Oct. 23-24 before the Firehawks travel to Mississippi and Alabama to face William Carey and No. 22 Mobile on Oct. 30-31.
UT Southern closes the regular season with a home match against Blue Mountain Christian University on Nov. 6 before concluding the regular season on the road against the Toppers on Nov. 7.
The Firehawks will then turn their attention to the 2026 Southern States Athletic Conference Championship, scheduled for Nov. 12-14 at the Multiplex at Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama.
With a winning season, a talented returning core, and valuable experience to build upon, UT Southern enters 2026 looking to continue its upward trajectory under Ruiz and compete for a spot among the SSAC's top programs.
2026 Schedule Highlights
- 33 regular-season matches
- 15 home matches at the Curry Athletic Complex
- Three early-season tournaments
- Matches against nationally-ranked opponents No. 12 Mount Vernon Nazarene, No. 17 Aquinas, and No. 22 Mobile
- First SSAC meetings with Andrew College, Xavier University of Louisiana, and Wesleyan College
- Returns the 2025 SSAC Newcomer of the Year in Ashlee Kraft
- Returns three All-SSAC selections and two SSAC All-Freshman Team honorees
- Second season under head coach Maca Ruiz
- Building on a 15-12 record in 2025, the program's first winning season since 2021
- SSAC Championship scheduled for Nov. 12-14 in Montgomery, Alabama
FOLLOW THE FIREHAWKS
Tap in with everything happening around UT Southern Athletics and keep up with the Firehawks all season long.
Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/utsathletics
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/utsouthernathletics
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UTSouthernFirehawks
Scores, highlights, announcements, behind-the-scenes content, and more — stay connected and rep the Firehawks everywhere you go. Go Firehawks!
