2016 Illinois Volleyball Schedule (HTML) | 2016 Illinois Volleyball Schedule (PDF)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Head coach Kevin Hambly and the Illinois volleyball team released its 2016 schedule, featuring 31 matches and 13 contests at Huff Hall. The fall schedule is highlighted by 12 opponents that participated in the 2015 NCAA Tournament, including seeing the Orange and Blue welcome in defending National Champion Nebraska to Huff Hall on Sept. 28.

The Illini open the 2016 season at home with the 33rd-annual Illini Classic, hosting Arkansas, Xavier and Missouri State on Aug. 26-27. The fan favorite Stuff Huff promotion returns for opening night against the Razorbacks.

Following the Illini Classic, the Illini will depart on a four-week road swing, traveling to three non-conference tournaments and opening the Big Ten conference away from home for the second-straight year. UI will start its trip at the third annual Big Ten/Pac-12 Challenge, hosted by Colorado, with the Illini taking on Stanford and the host Buffs.

The West Coast swing continues when the Illini head to Eugene, Ore., for a tournament hosted by Oregon, facing the Ducks, Belmont and Saint Mary's, before the Orange and Blue returns to the Midwest for the Billiken Invitational, hosted by Saint Louis. The Illini will compete against SLU, Omaha and Murray State in the nearby event.

Illinois opens the Big Ten Conference slate on the road for the second-straight season, battling Purdue on Sept. 21, before finally making its way back to Huff Hall for its conference home opener on Sept. 24 against Rutgers.

The Illini's 20-game conference schedule features home-and-away series with the defending national champions Nebraska, Wisconsin, Michigan State, Purdue, Northwestern, Maryland and Rutgers, as well as home contests against 2015 Big Ten Champs Minnesota, Ohio State and Indiana. UI will also make trips to Michigan, Iowa and finishes off the 2016 regular season in Happy Valley to face Penn State on Nov. 26. 

The NCAA Division I Women's Volleyball Championship is set to start on Dec. 2-3, with the top 16 seeds hosting First and Second Round action. The NCAA Regionals will be held on Dec. 9-10 at four predetermined sites. The 2016 National Championship will be held at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, with the semifinals on Dec. 15 and the NCAA title match on Dec. 17.

Along with the annual Stuff Huff promotion, the Illini will host their Pink Match on Oct. 22 against Purdue. The full promotions schedule will be released at a later date.

Schedule Notes

• 31 total matches (13 home, 13 road, 5 neutral)
• Season and home opener: Aug. 26 vs. Arkansas
• B1G opener: Sept. 21 at Purdue
• B1G home opener: Sept. 24 vs. Rutgers
• Ranked in the final AVCA poll: 11 matches vs. 8 teams; 2 matches vs. RV
• RPI Top 50: 15 matches vs. 11 teams
• 2015 Conference Champions/Tournament Champions: 3
• NCAA Tournament:
  • Qualifiers: 12 (Nebraska, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Penn State, Ohio State, Purdue, Michigan, Michigan State, Stanford, Oregon, Belmont, Missouri State)   
  • NCAA Second Round: 9
  • Sweet 16: 5
  • Elite Eight: 2
  • Final Four: 2 (Nebraska, Minnesota)
  • National Champion: Nebraska (Home: Sept. 28, Away: Oct. 28)
• First-time opponents: Missouri State, Belmont, Omaha

Please Note: Dates and opponents are subject to change. All Big Ten matches are tentatively scheduled for 7 p.m. local time. TV network selections will be announced at a later date and are likely to impact dates and times for selected matches. Always check FIGHTINGILLINI.com for the most up-to-date information.

For more Fighting Illini volleyball news, stay tuned to FIGHTINGILLINI.com and follow the team on Twitter @IlliniVBall or like Fighting Illini Volleyball on Facebook.