Marquette Volleyball to Face Texas at 2026 AVCA First Serve in Milwaukee | NCAA Volleyball News

March 24, 2026 Alex Carter - Sports Editor Sport

Milwaukee will host a high-profile women’s volleyball event this August, with Marquette University’s team slated to open its 2026 season against the University of Texas at Fiserv Forum on Monday, August 24, as part of the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) First Serve.

The match marks the third time Marquette volleyball will play at the NBA arena, following contests against in-state rival Wisconsin in 2023 and 2025, according to Marquette Wire. Marquette head coach Tom Mendoza expressed enthusiasm for the opportunity, stating, “We chose Marquette due to the fact that of the culture of the university and athletic department but also for this program to compete at the highest level, so playing Texas at Fiserv Forum is the type of match that our players came from around the Midwest and world to play.”

The AVCA First Serve event, running from Friday, August 21 through Monday, August 24, will feature a total of twelve teams. Alongside Marquette and Texas, the event includes Xavier, which will face Pittsburgh, as well as Arizona State, Kentucky, Louisville, SMU, Texas A&M, and Wisconsin. The field comprises all four of the 2025 NCAA Championship Semifinalists and the 2025 National Champion, Texas A&M.

Mendoza added, “I want to thank the AVCA and First Serve organizers for this opportunity for our program, Marquette fans, and anyone in the area who enjoys watching great volleyball. Our team is training incredibly hard this spring to have a great season in the fall, so to have an exciting match and environment to start the season brings a level of tangibility to preparation from now until August 24th. We will do everything in our power to give Marquette Volleyball supporters plenty to celebrate in this match and beyond, and we are excited about the direction we are heading.”

The full schedule of matches is as follows:

August 21

  • Wisconsin vs. Kentucky
  • Texas A&M vs. Louisville

August 22

  • Wisconsin vs. Louisville
  • Texas vs. Arizona State

August 23

  • Pittsburgh vs. Kentucky
  • Texas A&M vs. SMU

August 24

  • Xavier vs. Pittsburgh
  • Marquette vs. Texas

Match times and broadcast details have not yet been announced.