FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Head Coach Nancy Somera has announced the 2026 Fairfield University Volleyball schedule. The slate includes 12 regular season matches on campus at Leo D. Mahoney Arena with a non-conference ledger than includes four top-100 opponents.
 
"The annual goal for our non-conference schedule is to find out more about ourselves – where we need to improve, how we compete under pressure, and who on our roster is ready to step up and contribute," said Somera. "We look forward to a challenge right out of the gates with three top 100 programs on our opening weekend in Knoxville followed by a slate of competitive Northeast opponents throughout the month of September to prepare for the grind of 18 pivotal matches in a span of less than two months when we enter our MAAC season."
 
The slate begins with three matches at the University of Tennessee on August 28-29. The Stags open against perennial OVC power Morehead State and Patriot League contender Colgate, who earned 93 and 98 rankings, respectively, in the final 2025 RPI. The weekend on Rocky Top concludes with Fairfield's first-ever meeting with the host Tennessee Lady Vols, who spent the majority of 2025 in the national rankings en route to a 20-8 record and an at-large bid to the NCAA postseason.
 
The next weekend features three matches in two sites in the Boston area, beginning with a visit to Harvard on Friday, Sept. 4. The following day, the Stags trek to Northeastern to play Holy Cross at 11 a.m. and the host Huskies at 5 p.m.
 
Fairfield makes it three road weekends to start campaign with two matches on Long Island. The Stags challenge 2025 Patriot League finalist Army West Point – which finished with an RPI of 91 – on Friday, Sept. 11 and then meet Conference USA squad Liberty on Saturday, Sept. 12.
 
The fourth Fairfield Volleyball season inside Leo D. Mahoney Arena will see the Stags welcome Central Connecticut State on Sept. 17, Brown on Sept. 18, and Middle Tennessee on Sept. 19 for the Fairfield Invitational. The complete round robin tournament will span six matches over three dates. Admission is free for all fans to all Fairfield Volleyball home matches this season.
 
The 2026 MAAC schedule will once again consist of 18 matches in a Friday-Saturday format in addition to each squad playing a midweek series against one of its local conference rivals. As a result of the unbalanced schedule, Fairfield will play seven home-and-home series with Canisius, Merrimack, Niagara, Quinnipiac, Rider, Sacred Heart (midweek), and Saint Peter's. The Stags will not host Marist or Siena and will not travel to Iona or Manhattan.
 
The top six teams at the end of the regular season will qualify for the MAAC Championship, with the top two seeds earning a bye to the semifinal round. The #1 seed will earn the right to host the "final four" on the weekend of Nov. 20-22.
 
Fairfield Volleyball won its third consecutive MAAC Championship and Regular Season Championship under Head Coach Nancy Somera in 2025. The Stags finished the campaign at 25-6, traveling to meet #17 Minnesota in the NCAA Championship First Round.