The Ohio Valley Conference released the conference schedule for the 2026 volleyball season on Thursday (June 11) completing Eastern Illinois 2026 overall schedule.
 
The Panthers previously announced their non-conference schedule in May which includes home matches against Power Four opponents Illinois and Notre Dame prior to the start of OVC play.
 
EIU is the defending OVC regular season and conference champion after making their second NCAA Tournament appearance in the last three seasons in 2025.
 
Defense of that OVC title begins at home with EIU opening OVC play hosting Southern Indiana on September 25-26.  The Panthers will also host OVC matches against Tennessee State, Western Illinois and SIUE.
 
Road matches for conference action include trips to Lindenwood, UT Martin, Morehead State and Southeast Missouri.
 
The OVC Tournament will take place Nov. 22-24 hosted by the league's regular season champion.
 
2026 EIU Volleyball Schedule
Aug. 15 – Indiana State (ex.)
Aug. 21 – at Bradley (ex.)
Aug. 24 – EIU Black / Blue Scrimmage (ex.)
Aug. 28 – vs. Santa Clara (Dayton/Wright State Tournament)
Aug. 29 – at Wright State
Aug. 29 – at Dayton
Sept. 3 – at BYU
Sept. 4 – vs. Long Beach State (Utah Invitational)
Sept. 5 – vs. Wyoming (Utah Invitational)
Sept. 11 – vs. Cal Poly (Indiana Tournament)
Sept. 11 – at Indiana
Sept. 16 – Illinois
Sept. 18 – at Notre Dame
Sept. 20 – Notre Dame
Sept. 25 – Southern Indiana *
Sept. 26 – Southern Indiana *
Oct. 2 – at Lindenwood *
Oct. 3 – at Lindenwood *
Oct. 9 – at UT Martin *
Oct. 10 – at UT Martin *
Oct. 15 – Tennessee State *
Oct. 16 – Tennessee State *
Oct. 30 – at Morehead State *
Oct. 31 – at Morehead State *
Nov. 5 – Western Illinois *
Nov. 6 – Western Illinois *
Nov. 12 – SIUE *
Nov. 13 – SIUE *
Nov. 17 – at Southeast Missouri *
Nov. 18 – at Southeast Missouri *
Nov. 22 – OVC Tournament
 
Home Matches at Gardella Family Court at McAfee Gym
Ohio Valley Conference Match *