COLUMBIA, Ky. - Lindsey Wilson volleyball and head coach Josh Kreiner announced the 2026 schedule on Tuesday. The Blue Raiders are coming off back-to-back appearances in the NAIA National Tournament and were receiving votes in the postseason coaches' poll.

Lindsey Wilson will play nine matches against 2025 NAIA Tournament teams, including national runner-up Northwestern (Iowa) and national semifinalist Concordia (Neb.), as well as final site teams Indiana Kokomo and Cumberlands (Ky.).

The Blue Raiders open the 2026 season at the Tigers Kickoff Invitational in Bourbonnais, Illinois, just south of Chicago, on Aug. 14-15. All four opponents on the opening weekend finished inside the final 2025 RPI top 75.

Lindsey Wilson makes its home debut on Aug. 18, hosting Indiana Southeast at Biggers Sports Center.

The Blue Raiders then host the Vette City Classic on Aug. 28-29 in Bowling Green, Kentucky, welcoming four opponents to Ephram White Gymnasium.

The following weekend, Lindsey Wilson travels to Omaha, Nebraska, for the College of Saint Mary/MH Hospitality Labor Day Classic. The Blue Raiders will face Concordia (Neb.) and Northwestern (Iowa) on Sept. 4 before taking on host College of Saint Mary (Neb.) and Midland (Neb.) on Sept. 5.

"Being able to restart the Vette City Classic was a goal of mine when I took the job," says Kreiner. "Bringing in high caliber teams will be a fun experience. Then we go and play some of the best teams in the country at the Labor Day tournament. It will be tough but we will get a chance to see where we fit into the national conversation."

Six of the Blue Raiders' eight remaining matches in September will be played on their home floor, with one road contest being Lindsey Wilson's Mid-South Conference opener on Sept. 15 against defending tournament champion Cumberlands' (Ky.).

"I am excited to get to play some more home games this season," says Kreiner. "Last year we were on the road eight weekends in a row. I am ecstatic to be able to give our players a chance to play in front of a home crowd more often this season."

Lindsey Wilson opens the October slate on Oct. 2 by hosting Campbellsville (Ky.), then challenges American Midwest Conference champion Columbia (Mo.) at home on Oct. 9. The next day, the Blue Raiders face a tri-match at Midway (Ky.) with the host Eagles and River States Conference tournament champion Indiana Kokomo.

The regular season concludes with six consecutive conference matches, starting Oct. 14 at Campbellsville (Ky.) and wrapping on Nov. 3 against Georgetown (Ky.).

The 2026 Mid-South Conference tournament is scheduled for Nov. 12-14 at Bowling Green High School in Bowling Green. The winner receives the league's automatic ticket to the NAIA National Tournament, with opening round contests set for Nov. 21 at campus sites across the country.

Sioux City, Iowa and the Tyson Events Center are tabbed to host the NAIA National Tournament pool play and championship bracket, Dec. 2-8.