Army West Point Athletics
Volleyball Unveils 2026 Schedule
June 25, 2026 | Volleyball
WEST POINT, N.Y. — Army West Point volleyball and head coach Alma Kovaci Lee revealed the Black Knights' 2026 season schedule Thursday afternoon.
The 2026 campaign features a 25-match slate, including 11 home contests, appearances at the UT Arlington Tournament and the Hofstra Tournament, the annual Star Match against Navy on October 9 in West Point, N.Y., and Army's 16-game conference slate, all leading up to the Patriot League Tournament starting Nov. 17.
"We are excited about the opportunity this schedule provides for a young team that is eager to grow," head coach Alma Kovaci Lee said. "While we have just one senior, this group embraces a culture of selflessness, resilience and joy, and we know they're hungry to compete.
One of the highlights of the non-conference schedule is the annual Black Knight Invitational, where Army will host Power Four and Big 10 school, Iowa, who returns to West Point for the first time since the 2009 season.
Another highlight is the Black Knights' trip to Arlington, Texas, where they will play in the UT Arlington Tournament. The Black Knights will take on host UT Arlington, marking the first matchup between the two programs, as well as take on Sam Houston State and Kent State.
"Our non-conference schedule will challenge us against quality opponents," Kovaci Lee said, "including a trip to Texas, where we will face tough competition and have the opportunity for several cadet-athletes to compete in front of family and friends."
Coach Kovaci Lee enters her 20th season as the winningest coach in program history with a 350-187 overall record, along with two NCAA tournament appearances, two Patriot League Tournament Championship titles and three Patriot League Regular Season titles.
Army will look to capture its sixth Patriot League Tournament title after falling to top-seeded American in the 2025 championship match as the No. 3 seed.
The seven-time Patriot League regular-season champions will also look to secure their eighth title after finishing the 2025 season 19-9 overall and 11-5 in league play, placing third overall in the Patriot League standings.
"Every match is an opportunity to grow, create lifelong memories, and learn lessons that extend far beyond volleyball," Kovaci Lee said. "No matter the age or experience of our team, the expectation of our program is to compete for a Patriot League Championship while embracing the journey, enjoying the process and representing West Point with pride."
Full Schedule Breakdown:
Before Army's season gets fully underway, the Black Knights will play two exhibition matches: one on the road at Seton Hall on August 22, followed by a home exhibition against Marist on Aug. 25.
The season will be in full swing starting Aug. 28-30 as Army hosts the Black Knight Invitational. Army's first game will be against Iowa, hailing from the Big 10, and will also host Sacred Heart and UAlbany.
Then the Black Knights will venture out of the northeast on Labor Day Weekend, heading to the Lone Star State to compete in the UT Arlington Tournament inside the College Park Center in Arlington, Texas.
Army will take on Sam Houston State and Kent State on September 4, then will close their appearance taking on host UT Arlington on Sept. 5.
Army's 2026 campaign continues Sept. 11-12 as the team hits the road for the final time in non-league play, heading to Long Island and Hempstead, N.Y., for the Hofstra Tournament, taking on Liberty, Fairfield and host Hofstra.
Patriot League action will begin on Sept. 18, with the Black Knights playing their first three league games inside Gillis Field House. Army first welcomes Loyola Maryland before hosting reigning Patriot League champion American on Sept. 19 and then Colgate on Sept. 25.
The team then hits the road for two games, first heading to Worcester, Mass., to take on Holy Cross before heading to Lewisburg, Pa., on October 2 to play Bucknell.
A second three-game home stand will close the first half of league play for the Black Knights, with Army hosting Lafayette on Oct. 3.
Then, on Oct. 9, the Black Knights will host their rival, the Navy Midshipmen, for the playing of the annual Star Match, part of the Star Series presented by USAA. The home stretch will head with a matchup against Lehigh on Oct. 10.
To open the back half of league play, the Black Knights will play Navy for the second time in eight days on Oct. 17, with that matchup occurring in Annapolis inside Wesley Brown Field House.
Army will stay on the road the following week, first heading to Meltzer Center to play American in Washington D.C. on Oct. 23. The Black Knights stay on the road on Oct. 24, heading to Baltimore to take on Loyola Maryland.
The Black Knights will close out the month of October at home, hosting Holy Cross inside Gillis Field House on Oct. 30. Army begins the month of November on the road, heading upstate to Hamilton to take on Colgate on Nov. 1.
Senior Night and Army's final home game of the regular season will take place on Nov. 6, with Army competing against Bucknell.
The team will finish out the regular season on the road, with two straight games in the Lehigh Valley. Army begins the road trip in Easton at Lafayette (Nov. 8), then will conclude the regular season in Bethlehem, taking on Lehigh (Nov. 13).
The Patriot League Tournament will take place Nov. 17-22, with the Quarterfinal Round slated for Nov. 17, the Semifinal Round scheduled for Nov. 20, and the Championship set for Nov. 22.
