Volleyball Announces 2026 Schedule Ahead of Big West Debut
7/22/2026 11:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
RIVERSIDE--- California Baptist University volleyball is set to begin a new era as the Lancers unveiled their 2026 schedule, featuring the program's inaugural season in the Big West Conference.
CBU opens the season with back-to-back road matches in New Mexico, beginning at New Mexico on Aug. 28 before taking on New Mexico State on Aug. 29.
The Lancers will then travel to Corvallis, Oregon, the following weekend to compete in the three-day ASICS Invitational, hosted by Oregon State from Sept. 3-5. Following the opening road swing, CBU returns home to host the Joust Invitational at Van Dyne Gym from Sept. 10-12. The tournament field includes North Dakota, Sacred Heart, and Idaho.
The Lancers will compete in one final nonconference tournament in San Francisco from Sept. 17-19 before beginning Big West play on the road. CBU opens conference competition at Sacramento State on Thursday, Sept. 24, before traveling to Utah Valley on Saturday, Sept. 26.
The Lancers then return home for a four-match homestand, highlighted by their lone match at the Dale E. and Sarah Ann Fowler Events Center against UC San Diego on Thursday, Oct. 1. CBU returns to Van Dyne Gym to host UC Irvine on Oct. 3, CSU Bakersfield on Oct. 9, and CSUN on Oct. 11.
One of the highlights of the conference schedule comes Oct. 23-24 when the Lancers face crosstown rival UC Riverside in a home-and-home series. The Highlanders host the first match on Friday, Oct. 23, before CBU hosts the rematch on Saturday, Oct. 24.
The Lancers close the regular season with back-to-back home matches against UC Santa Barbara on Friday, Nov. 20, and Cal Poly on Saturday, Nov. 21.
Head coach Trevor Johnson is eager to begin the program's first season in the Big West.
"I'm incredibly excited about this team and the opportunity God has given us to begin this new chapter in the Big West Conference," Johnson said. "Our players have worked tirelessly throughout the offseason. What excites me most isn't just their growth as volleyball players, it's the way they've grown as teammates, leaders, and young women of faith.
"At CBU, our vision is to create the best Christian volleyball experience in the country. That means pursuing excellence on the court while intentionally developing Christ-centered relationships, serving one another, and representing Jesus in the way we compete every single day. We believe success is measured not only by what happens on the scoreboard, but by the impact we have on the people around us.
"The Big West is one of the premier volleyball conferences in the nation, and we have tremendous respect for every program we'll compete against. We're excited to embrace the challenge and represent CBU with passion and joy. We can't wait to see what God has in store for this team and this season."
The 2026 Big West Volleyball Championship will be held Nov. 25-28 in San Luis Obispo, California.
All matches will be streamed live on ESPN+. Fans can find the full schedule HERE, and single-game and season ticket information HERE.
