March 23, 2026 (Lexington, KY) — The AVCA is pleased to announce that it will add a fourth day of competition to 2026 First Serve in Milwaukee. A “BIG EAST Challenge” doubleheader—featuring Marquette vs. Texas and Xavier vs. Pittsburgh—will take place Monday, Aug. 24 at Fiserv Forum, which is also the site of the first three days of AVCA First Serve.
“The addition of the BIG EAST Challenge is a strategic step in continuing to elevate AVCA First Serve as the premier opening weekend event in collegiate volleyball,” said AVCA CEO Dr. Jaime Gordon. “The BIG EAST has a long-standing tradition of competitive excellence in our sport, and this format allows us to showcase that strength on a national stage while bringing more high-level matchups to Milwaukee. Expanding to a fourth day gives us the flexibility to involve other elite programs and create an even more compelling start to the season for fans, student-athletes, and the sport, as a whole.”
Including Marquette, which is located in Milwaukee, gives the event an even-more local feel. The Golden Eagles are no strangers to volleyball success, having made every NCAA Tournament since the 2011 season. Xavier was one of the most improved Division I teams last year, finishing with a program-best 26-5 record and earning an NCAA tourney bid.
The BIG EAST has consistently demonstrated its strength in Division I volleyball, highlighted by conference champion Creighton’s participation in the 2025 AVCA First Serve. Under current event guidelines, institutions may participate in AVCA First Serve a maximum of two times within a four-year period, creating opportunities for additional programs to be featured.
The two BIG EAST teams will face Texas and Pittsburgh, which both finished in the top-six of the final 2025 AVCA/Taraflex Division I Women’s Poll. The Monday matches would be the second of AVCA First Serve for both teams, as the Longhorns will play Arizona State on Saturday and the Panthers will face Kentucky on Sunday.
More details on the Monday matches, including ticketing information, will be available soon.
Ticket packages for the first three days of AVCA First Serve, which will mark the beginning of the 2026 women’s volleyball season, are available through Ticketmaster. Other updates on the event can be found at 2026 AVCA First Serve page, and make sure to sign up there to become an AVCA Insider to stay current with the latest announcements.
