Volleyball Announces Non-Conference Slate, Completing 2026 Schedule

ORLANDO - Ahead of the program’s second season under the guidance of head coach Matt Botsford, UCF volleyball has released its 2026 schedule, completed by a 10-match non-conference slate which will lead into Big 12 play.

During his first campaign in charge, the Knights boasted an impressive 9-2 record during their non-conference fixtures, headlined by a pair of tournament sweeps. 

The Knights will face four Power Four programs, highlighted by three tilts against ACC opposition, and will host five home matches during the month-long stretch.

UCF’s 2026 Big 12 schedule was announced on April 16, 2026. 

Black and Gold Classic | Orlando, Fla.

• Friday, August 28 - Stony Brook vs Robert Morris | 11 a.m.
• Friday, August 28 - Stony Brook vs NC State | 4 p.m.
• Friday, August 28 - UCF vs Robert Morris | 7 p.m. (Season Opener)
• Saturday, August 29 - Robert Morris vs NC State | 12 p.m.
• Saturday, August 29 - UCF vs Stony Brook | 4 p.m.
• Sunday, August 30 - UCF vs NC State | 2 p.m.

For the second consecutive season, the Knights will open up their fall slate at The Venue, welcoming in three programs for the Black and Gold Classic during the final week of August. 

The six-match weekend will commence with a pair of neutral site contests before the Black and Gold take on Robert Morris for the first time in program history. The Colonials are led by fifth-year head coach Danny Doherty, who is fresh off leading the visitors to their most wins in the Horizon League since joining the conference in 2019.

A Saturday tilt against Stony Brook will continue the slate, just over a decade since the Knights’ lone meeting with Seawolves all-time. In 2025, Stony Brook boasted a 12-15 record, making the CAA Tournament for the fourth-consecutive season.

The weekend finale sees the Knights welcome NC State for the first of four Power Four non-conference tilts. Both programs have met just once, all the way back in 1979, and are both embarking on their second season under new leadership. Megan Wargo-Kearney took the reins of the Wolfpack last season and guided them to a 15-15 record.

Last season, UCF swept its season-opening weekend in head coach Matt Botsford’s inaugural matches in charge.

Wake Forest Invitational | Winston Salem, N.C,

Friday September 4

• UCF vs Georgetown | 3:30 p.m.
• UCF at Wake Forest | 5:30 p.m.
• UCF vs Davidson | 11:30 a.m.

After hosting the Demon Deacons in 2023, the Knights will return the favor and venture up to North Carolina for an action-packed weekend.

Before meeting the hosts, the Black and Gold will matchup with Georgetown on Friday in their first neutral site contest of 2026. The Hoyas are fresh off securing their best winning percentage under fourth-year head coach AJ Bonetti, improving their win total by three matches.

On Saturday, UCF and Wake Forest will meet for the third time ever and first since a narrow five-set defeat three seasons ago. Alongside Botsford, Jeff Hulsmeyer is entering his second season leading his program after a decade at Florida State as an assistant coach.

The Knights will conclude their weekend with a Sunday tilt against Davidson, marking their first meeting since 2013. Under the guidance of head coach Chris Willis, the Wildcats have posted a combined 84-65 record across the last five seasons.

Week Three | Orlando, Fla.

• Wednesday, September 9 - UCF vs Stetson | 6 p.m.
• Saturday, September 12 - UCF vs Virginia | 6 p.m.

A pair of stand-alone non-conference bouts at home will follow, with UCF welcoming Stetson to The Venue for the 50th all-time contest between the Central Florida schools. The Knights hold a commanding 46-3 record all-time against the Hatters and swept their third-consecutive contests against them a season ago in Miami.

Later that week, UCF and Virginia will match up for an anticipated dual on Saturday. The Knights swept a doubleheader against the Cavaliers in Orlando back in 2017, though this meeting will mark the first between the two schools since the Black and Gold joined the Power Four. Current UCF assistant coach Trevor Kennan was on staff at Virginia from 2022-24.

Stacey Clark Classic | West Lafayette, Ind.

• Friday, September 18 - UCF vs UAlbany | 1 p.m.
• Saturday, September 19 - UCF at Purdue | 1 p.m.

UCF will round out its non-conference slate at Purdue in mid-September with a pair of matches, first meeting UAlbany for the first time since commencing the 2023 season in up-state New York. 

The non-conference finale will prove to be the Knights’ toughest test before Big 12 play begins, as the Boilermakers are fresh off a trip to the Elite Eight in 2025, finishing the season ranked 10th in RPI.

Purdue is led by Dave Shondell, who enters an historic 24th season leading the program and is fresh off their fifth trip to the NCAA Regional Finals.

Below is the complete 2026 UCF Volleyball Schedule.