Loyola Ramblers Women’s Volleyball Unveils 2026 Schedule

Loyola University Chicago women’s volleyball has finalized its 2026 home schedule, announcing 13 matches set to take place in Gentile Arena, according to an official statement from the university’s athletics department released June 24. The schedule marks the Ramblers’ first full slate of home fixtures under head coach Sarah Barnes, who entered her third season in 2025 after leading the team to a 20-win campaign in 2024.

The 2026 home schedule includes a mix of conference and non-conference opponents, with key matchups against Midwest Conference rivals such as DePaul, Marquette, and Illinois State. The Ramblers will also host two nationally ranked teams, according to preliminary rankings from the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA), though specific dates for those matchups have not yet been released.

Gentile Arena, which seats 1,200 spectators, has become a focal point for Loyola’s volleyball program following a 2023 renovation that included upgraded lighting and sound systems. The facility hosted a record crowd of 1,150 fans during a 2024 match against Bradley, a non-conference opponent, according to attendance records provided by the university.

Why this matters: The 2026 schedule builds on a trend of increased home attendance and on-court competitiveness for the Ramblers. In 2024, Loyola improved its home win percentage to .688 (11 wins in 16 games), the highest since 2019, according to Sports-Reference.com. The upcoming season will test whether the team can sustain that momentum with a more challenging home slate, including three games against teams ranked in the AVCA’s top 25 at the time of scheduling.

According to Barnes, the schedule was designed to balance travel logistics with competitive matchups. “We’re prioritizing home games against teams that will push us while also giving our student-athletes the opportunity to play in front of our fans,” she said in a statement. “The support from the Gentile Arena crowd has been a driving force for our program, and we’re excited to build on that in 2026.”

Key details from the 2026 home schedule:

• Conference opponents: DePaul (twice), Marquette, Illinois State, and Northern Illinois.
• Non-conference highlights: Two matchups against teams ranked in the AVCA’s top 25 (dates TBA), plus a home-and-home series with Bradley.
• Season opener: September 14, 2026, against Northern Illinois, per the university’s athletics calendar.
• Facility upgrades: Gentile Arena’s renovations in 2023 included new court flooring and expanded locker room space, according to Loyola’s capital projects office.

The Ramblers will face their first true road test of the season in October, traveling to Big Ten Conference programs for a pair of non-conference games. However, the home schedule remains the cornerstone of Loyola’s 2026 campaign, with Barnes emphasizing the importance of fan engagement. “Our home games are where we make our biggest statements,” she noted. “We’re looking forward to another year of loud, energetic crowds in Gentile Arena.”

Loyola’s full 2026 schedule, including away games and exact dates for ranked opponents, will be released in August, according to the athletics department. The team’s 2025 season concluded with a 20-12 record, marking the program’s most wins since 2018, and the 2026 slate aims to build on that progress with a more aggressive home schedule.

For context, the Ramblers have averaged 850 fans per home game over the past two seasons, a 40% increase from 2022, according to university attendance data. The 2026 schedule could further boost that number, particularly if the team secures a top-25 ranking by the start of the season—a threshold Loyola has not reached since 2016.